Beazer Homes Connects with Getronics for Service Desk Support and Optimized Workplace Productivity

Business Wire, Dec 16, 2004

BILLERICA, Mass. -- Getronics suite of applications and structured operations provide an enhanced service desk experience for employees and clients alike while increasing efficiency and managing support costs

Getronics North America and Beazer Homes Inc. (NYSE:BZH) today announced that they have agreed to a contract under which Getronics will provide a managed service desk to all 3,500 Beazer employees throughout the United States, as well as their clients accessing web services via Beazer.com and MyBeazerHome.com. The service desk is based on use of Getronics new suite of applications, including advanced tools such as web-based self-service to all employees, access to Getronics keyword searchable Knowledge Base, and sophisticated drill-down reporting and analysis.

Getronics service desk will serve as the single point of contact for fulfillment of all service requests and problem resolutions associated with the computing hardware and software environment used by Beazer Homes employees. These technologies include commercially available desktops and Microsoft software, as well as support for Beazer Homes' custom-developed and/or customized applications that range from CRM (Customer Relationship Management) through sales systems, to ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) and Homebuilding software.

Getronics support experts operating from the company's Global Enterprise Service Center in Houston deliver end-to-end request and problem management that includes recording, tracking, and resolving of items ranging from complex requests such as new user configurations to assistance with a Blackberry hardware problem. Beazer Homes employees will be able to use the latest in web-based self-service tools and will later have access to data from Getronics' extensive IT Knowledge Base, which will enable them to resolve many routine problems without placing calls for outside help. Getronics engineers will also use remote management tools and techniques that allow them to take control of the user's desktop in order to diagnose and correct problems and avoid the expense associated with an onsite visit. Getronics will also be responsible for the routing and escalation of problems that cannot be solved remotely or on an initial call.

Atlanta-based and operating in over 20 states, Beazer is the sixth largest home builder in the United States, based on number of homes closed. In fiscal year 2004, ending September 30, Beazer closed on 16,451 homes. The company also provides mortgage origination, and title services to its clients. Additionally, Beazer Homes has developed a reputation for using technology to improve operational effectiveness and efficiency, and to bring superior customer service to homebuyers. For further information, visit www.beazer.com.

Jonathan Smoke, Beazer Homes chief information officer, noted, "We anticipate a marked increase in efficiency and productivity, particularly when our employees begin to take advantage of Getronics' self-help tools and Knowledge Base information."

Trevor White, director of IT support services at Beazer Homes, added, "We were very impressed with the professionalism and knowledge of the Getronics people who worked with us during the preparation and testing phases and prior to the full system launch. The launch went extremely well. We were able to hit the ground running and saw no impact in our ability to provide superior service to our customers."

"We are proud that Beazer Homes has selected Getronics to take them to the next level of capability of customer service for homebuyers throughout the United States," said Steve Sullivan, president of Getronics North America's IT Sourcing Services division. "We look forward to bringing Beazer Homes employees the consistency of support and the latest in advanced remote tools and techniques that will result in major increases in efficiency, cost stabilization, and enhanced productivity."

About Getronics

With approximately 22,000 employees in over 30 countries and ongoing revenues of EUR 2.6 billion in 2003, Getronics is one of the world's leading providers of vendor-independent Information and Communication Technology (ICT) solutions and services. Getronics today combines the capabilities of the original Dutch company with those of Wang Global, acquired in 1999, and of the systems and services division of Olivetti.

Getronics designs, integrates and manages ICT infrastructures and business solutions for many of the world's largest global and local companies and organizations, helping them optimize workforce productivity and maximize the value of their information technology investments. Seven of the world's top ten banks use Getronics solutions and services. Getronics headquarters are in Amsterdam, with regional offices in Boston, Madrid, and Singapore. Getronics' shares are traded on Euronext Amsterdam ('GTN'). For further information, visit www.getronics.com/us.>

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