Getronics Launches Solution for Automating Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2 and Microsoft Office 2003 Deployments

Business Wire, June 8, 2005

BILLERICA, Mass. -- Rapid Deployment Experience (RDX) reduces cost of deploying Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2 and Microsoft Office 2003 by 50 percent from traditional desktop deployment methods

Getronics, a $4.1 billion global IT services company, today announced a new release of its next-generation service to enable clients to rapidly and cost effectively deploy large installations of Microsoft Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 (SP2) and Microsoft Office 2003 Editions without costly and error prone on-site support. Getronics' Rapid Deployment Experience (RDX) is an innovative solution that reduces costs by up to 50 percent when compared to traditional deployment and systems management approaches. RDX is immediately available worldwide as part of Getronics' global portfolio of IT solutions.

RDX's automated approach ensures businesses the ability to fully maximize their IT investments by deploying technology quickly, cost-efficiently, accurately, and with minimal interruption to day-to-day operations. A 5,000-seat RDX deployment is projected to save more than $1,000,000 in deployment costs when compared with traditional deployment methods. As a standardized and automated solution, RDX can easily and accurately deploy up to tens of thousands of seats in as few as three months, quickly bringing the benefits of Windows XP Professional SP2 and Office 2003 Editions to employees.

RDX was developed as part of Getronics' multi-year global alliance with Microsoft and using Microsoft Zero Touch Installation (ZTI), a technology included in the Solution Accelerator for Business Desktop Deployment (BDD). RDX extends the Solution Accelerator for BDD with capabilities that deliver numerous advantages to enterprises, including:

--Rapid Deployment - RDX enables deployment of thousands of seats of Windows XP Professional SP2 or Office 2003 Editions in as little as three months from initial on-site assessment to final project closeout.

--Increased Accuracy - RDX processes and tools produce Zero Touch Installation success rates of better than 99 percent.

--Zero Disruption - RDX deployments are conducted off-hours through Getronics' distribution framework, ensuring minimum interruption of the client's day-to-day operations.

--Heightened Productivity - all user data and setting are migrated automatically, with zero loss of data after deployment.

--Optional Ongoing Desktop Management - services that ensure an agile desktop IT environment that enables easy and cost-effective maintenance and upgrading to the most current and powerful technology.

"We're thrilled that Getronics has designed a streamlined and repeatable way to help clients worldwide maximize their strategic investments in Windows XP Professional and Office 2003," said Erwin Visser, marketing director at Microsoft Corp. "An up-to-date desktop delivers lower cost of management, improves security and enables new business scenarios for clients. It is great to collaborate with Getronics in helping clients deploy new Windows desktop software more cost-effectively."

Industry analyst firm Dataquest projects that there will be 26 million desktops in the US migrating to Microsoft XP over the next 18 months, presenting IT departments with a significant challenge in deploying these new solutions to their employees quickly and cost effectively.

"In working day to day with our global client base, we uncovered a pressing need to help with deploying and maintaining an up-to-date enterprise-wide desktop foot print," said Steve Sullivan, vice president of IT sourcing services, Getronics. "Often clients struggle prioritizing and justifying multiple important IT projects at any given time and important projects get moved to the back-burner despite being strategic to the business. Getronics bolsters their internal team with our unique technology and expertise in this area, allowing them to continuously improve the performance of their most important asset, their people."

About Getronics

With some 28,000 employees in over 30 countries and approximate revenues of USD $4.1 billion, Getronics is one of the world's leading providers of vendor independent Information Technology (IT) solutions and services.

Getronics designs, integrates and manages IT infrastructures and business solutions for many of the world's largest global and local companies and organizations, helping them maximize the value of their information technology investments. 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.> Other product or service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.

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