TCT releases the web version of its SARA2000 Service Management System:

El Segundo, CA- March 22, 2000. TCT has announced a commercial release of eSARA - the Internet version of its critically acclaimed and popular SARA2000 product. eSARA offers most of SARA2000's core modules over the Web to the authorized users.

eSARA has been primarily designed for two kinds of users. The first type is commonly referred to as Authorized Service Centers- individual businesses that perform after-sale customer service and repair on behalf of large manufactures or dealers. The second type consists of the service facilities that are branches of these large manufacturers/dealers, but that are located at remote distances from the headquarters.

The common problem both of these users experienced in the past, was that while the company headquarters usually did purchase some service management package, their distant branches or partners were left out in the cold. "It is simply not economical for the company that has something like 50 internal service facilities and a 100 partnering ASCs to buy a CRM package for each of them. And unfortunately ASCs tend not to have enough resources to purchase large software systems on their own." - says TCT's V.P. of Marketing Shawn Kim.

eSARA is the latest in a series of attempts made by the major players of the CRM industry to fix this problem. During the last year, companies such as Clarify, Siebel, and Vantive have all released web versions of their own products. eSARA is intended to work in a similar manner to its Internet-based service management brethren. The large manufacturer or dealer can simply buy or license the rights for an authorized access to eSARA over the web by its remote service facilities or partners. Another alternative, is for a willing Authorized Service Center to individually purchase these very same rights, if its partner is unwilling to incur this expense on its behalf. In either case, the total cost of obtaining an access to eSARA is infinitesimally smaller than the outright purchase of the packaged product.

However, according to Mr. Kim, there is a very big difference between eSARA and its competitors: " Other web versions of CRM systems have only a couple of modules each, usually call management and field service. They cannot be truly called an authentic service management system, because they do not capture the full service lifecycle. eSARA, on the other hand, has a module for every stage of the service or repair operation. It can be used almost as effectively as our regular SARA products."

Transnational Computer Technology offers integrated information system solutions for service management. SARA2000 (Service And Repair Automation) is the industry's premier customer service and support management system, which provides an integrated set of modules for call management, help desk, field service, depot repair, inventory control, sales support, warranty verification, claims processing, service marketing, contract administration, and Internet-based support. TCT has successfully implemented enterprise software solutions for major manufacturers and service providers within a variety of industries, such as Consumer Electronics, Telecommunications, IT, Utilities, and many others.