AIT Adds Brick to Click.

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- AIT has undertaken a first-of-its-kind approach to delivering technology services with the opening this week of a dealership in Chicago (http://chicago.ait.com). A dealership is a physical storefront with an expanded product line that includes IP telephony, IT security, and broadband connectivity, in addition to AIT's bedrock services of web hosting and e-commerce. "This creates face-to-face interaction and a more personalized environment for the customer," said Clarence Briggs, AIT's Chief Executive Officer. "It is conducive to clients getting a better understanding of the value technology brings to their businesses."

Briggs' timeline calls for the opening of one or two dealerships per month in 2006 with an itinerary that includes Atlanta, Los Angeles, South Florida, Raleigh and Charlotte, N.C. Each dealership is locally-owned; Ken Howard and Vernel King, two veteran IT consultants and AIT resellers, operate the Chicago branch. AIT is investing about $5-million into the dealership and expects the creation of 75 jobs over a two-year period. "This is a best-case scenario for customers - the infrastructure and resources of a global service provider, with local people who know the market providing support," said Howard.

Two years in the making

The development of the storefront approach began in 2003 as the nature of the hosting customer shifted from tech-savvy individuals to more sales-oriented people. "This takes any mystery out of technology with a 'show-me' environment where people can see it and touch it," said Briggs. "That's not possible with a central office that relies on toll-free phone lines and remote email addresses."

AIT, Inc supports more than 190,000 domains in 107 countries and is a two-time Inc 500 Company and three-time Deloitte & Touche Fast 500 honoree. AIT customers benefit from a 93,000 square foot data and service center, 24/7 support, and industrial grade infrastructure. Founded in North Carolina in 1996, AIT offers e-commerce, data storage, software development, IP telephony, application hosting, and a technology training center.