Carl Zeiss, Inc. Selects Field Resource Management Solution from Nexterna

October 8, 2002 - Nexterna, Inc., a leading provider of wireless mobile resource management solutions, announces that Carl Zeiss, Inc., which markets a broad line of optical, scientific and industrial instruments, has entered an agreement to deploy the Nexterna Clearview field resource management system.  The system will enable Zeiss to improve customer service by giving field technicians web access to their comprehensive service management application.

"We sell and service precision products, such as laboratory and surgical microscopes, high-precision measuring machines, and ophthalmic diagnostic instruments," said Jim Kelly, President of Carl Zeiss, Inc.  "It's our mission to provide timely, expert service and that's why we selected the Nexterna Clearview system.  We will respond to our customers more effectively because the system gives our technicians direct access to all the information they need about a piece of equipment, customer service entitlements, and parts inventory."

The Nexterna Clearview system will help Zeiss reduce the time between a request for service, completing and closing the work order, and generating the invoice.  It will also provide Zeiss with detailed product tracking capabilities, including repair history, location, and warranty information.  Currently, Carl Zeiss service technicians record service activities and mail hard copies of their paperwork to a central office.  With Nexterna Clearview, Zeiss technicians will use their laptop, or any computer or PDA that has an internet connection, to close service orders immediately upon completion, as well as to accept new service calls, update inventory levels, order parts and view customer information.

The Nexterna Clearview service management application is web-based and includes in-depth modules for service order management, sales order management, call avoidance, optimized dispatch with integrated mapping, contracts and preventative maintenance, product/asset tracking, and logistics and reverse logistics.

The Nexterna Clearview application can be deployed as part of a complete Field Resource Management system that includes the following optional modules: integrated mobile service management software, field web access, customer web access, wireless data connectivity, and real-time vehicle location using GPS technology.  The Nexterna Clearview system selected by Zeiss includes the service management application, field web access, and customer web access.

"The Nexterna Clearview system enables field service companies to better manage their operation by allowing field technicians to work together in real-time with the central office," said Michael Hedge, Senior Vice President of Field Service for Nexterna.  "Companies can start with the Nexterna Clearview back-office service management application and gradually add on other components such as field technician and/or customer web access; integrated mobile software that synchronizes using dial-up or wireless access; wireless communications; and GPS-based event management."