Plaut Consulting Assists Hughes Network Systems ERP System Deployment; Phase Two of Multi-Year SAP R/3 Implementation Complete and Running Successfully

Business Wire, Oct 23, 2001

Business/Technology Editors

WALTHAM, Mass. & GERMANTOWN, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 23, 2001

Plaut Consulting Inc., (German NEUR: PLAUT AG) a leading international consulting, technology integrator and services firm, today announced its successful SAP implementation for Hughes Network Systems (HNS), the world's largest provider of broadband satellite network solutions.

HNS was already running SAP R/3 3.1H with Human Resources/Payroll (HR/PY) and Workforce Management when it called on Plaut to implement other HNS corporate functions into SAP. Successfully launched in August of 2000, phase one included an upgrade from 3.1H to 3.1I as well as the implementation of Sales and Distribution, Accounts Receivable, and Web-enabled Sales Order Tracking (HAHT-Track) modules for HNS' Consumer Satellite Products Division.

"We chose Plaut for their SAP expertise," said Dan Hamel, CIO for HNS. "The magnitude of the implementations planned and the change management complexity anticipated required a consulting team who had broad SAP experience and had previously done similar complex implementations."

Phase two went live in August 2001 and consisted of implementing additional SAP modules and functionality that allowed HNS to improve productivity and customer satisfaction. This phase also included a major upgrade from 3.1I to 4.6C and deployment of additional web-based functionality for Sales Order Entry (HAHT-Shop) and Return Material Authorization processing (HAHT-RMA).

"Much of the success of this implementation is due to the excellent working relationship between Plaut's consultants and the HNS team," said David Northington, VP of SAP Services for Plaut. "We look forward to continuing this successful partnership and launching the third and final phase in 2002."

About Plaut Consulting Inc.

Plaut Consulting Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of Plaut AG, an independent, internationally operating, management consulting group with a global presence of 34 subsidiaries in 18 countries. As a full solution provider offering a suite of services from strategy consulting to IT outsourcing, Plaut offers 50 years of business process expertise, 20 years of SAP experience, and in-depth industry knowledge. With sales revenues amounting to EUR 291 million (in 2000), it is one of the leading management consulting companies worldwide. Since November 9, 1999, Plaut AG is listed on the "NeuerMarket" of the Frankfurt stock exchange (PUTG.F; Securities Code Number 918 - 703). Plaut Consulting is headquartered just outside Boston in Waltham, Mass., and includes clients such as REDBULL, Brown Forman, U.S. Pipe and ABB. More information about Plaut Consulting is available at http://www.plaut.com.

About Hughes Network Systems

Hughes Network Systems, a unit of Hughes Electronics Corporation, is the world's largest provider of broadband satellite network solutions for businesses and consumers, with over 400,000 systems installed in more than 85 countries. HNS pioneered the development of high-speed satellite Internet access services, which it markets globally under the DirecPC(R) and DIRECWAY(TM) brands and is a major supplier of mobile satellite networks and user terminals. For terrestrial access, it offers the comprehensive AIReach(R) family of broadband wireless, point-to-multipoint products. In addition, HNS is a leading manufacturer of DIRECTV(R) satellite television receivers, having shipped its 7 millionth system in 2001. Headquartered in Germantown, Maryland, USA, HNS maintains sales and support offices worldwide. The earnings of HUGHES, a unit of General Motors Corporation, are used to calculate the earnings per share attributable to the General Motors Class H common stock (NYSE: GMH). To learn more about HNS, please visit http:///www.hns.com

SAP, SAP Business Information Warehouse Software, SAP BW, and R/3 are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP AG. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners, and Plaut disavows any interest in them.