ORBIT SYSTEMS CONNECTS CULLIGAN WATER CONDITIONING TO THE NEW UTILITY ORBITs utility computing model economically brings remote Culligan offices online.

EAGAN, MINNESOTA (July 2002) -- ORBIT Systems, a company that provides Fortune 500-like Information Technology (IT) services to small and mid-sized businesses, has announced that Culligan Water Conditioning of Minnetonka has completely outsourced its computer systems to ORBIT, including the ongoing management of its computers, networks, email, technical support, and the hosting of a key business application, WaterWizzard.

When John Packard, Culligan Water Conditionings President, was introduced to ORBIT, he needed to efficiently share information between his Minnetonka headquarters and over 20 distribution centers nationwide. However, they lacked a standard computing platform and many distributors were in remote rural locations. ORBIT put us all on one system so we can seamlessly share information, and we have one number to call for service and support, whether were in Minnetonka or Oil City Pennsylvania", says Packard.    

ORBITs computing infrastructure allows us to rapidly connect and manage new users at virtually any location", says ORBIT Systems President and CEO, Steve McFarland. ORBITs purpose is to make computer systems as dependable and easy to use as utilities such as water and electricity. As McFarland sees it, Computers should be available anytime, anywhere. They should be taken for granted, just like the dial tone on your phone." Like traditional utilities, ORBIT incrementally allocates computing resources so customers only pay for the capacity they need, for a fixed monthly cost.

With all Culligan distributors connected to the corporate network, the next challenge was to enable them to share the companys order tracking application, WaterWizzard. Packard founded another company, UNCO, to develop and maintain the application, which automates dispatching for Culligan distributors and other delivery businesses. According to Packard, ORBITs solution has enabled our distributors to connect to WaterWizzard and our response times have improved dramatically, making us much more responsive to our customers."

McFarland has found that most small and medium sized businesses could benefit from similar solutions, but they lack the breadth and depth of expertise required to implement and maintain these systems. And those who do this internally are always dependent on key IT personnel. As McFarland says, ORBIT Systems doesnt take lunch, go on vacation, or get sick. Our customers always have knowledgeable support available around-the-clock." After all, utilities dont sleep either.    

For more information regarding ORBIT Systems, please call Steve McFarland at 651-767-3322; or visit their new Web site at www.orbits.net.