Alaska Communications Systems and Atos Origin Lay the Foundations for Growth with Implementation of Newest SAP Solution; ACS Among the First Telecoms in North America to Implement SAP 4.6.

Business Editors

SOUTH PLAINFIELD, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 6, 2001

Atos Origin, a global leader in providing enterprise application implementation and integration services, is pleased to announce that Anchorage-based Alaska Communications Systems Inc. (ACS) is one of the first telecommunications companies in North America to complete an implementation of SAP version 4.6.

The implementation is the first phase of a company-wide effort on the part of ACS to consolidate administrative functions, following a period of rapid expansion through mergers and acquisitions. Atos Origin provided the consulting and integration services for the large-scale project, which was a complete re-implementation of an existing SAP system.

The new system will handle data and business processes in a real-time mode, simplify and consolidate the company's internal processes, improve the availability of internal and external information, and produce greater efficiencies by integrating numerous functions, including financial reporting, purchasing, inventory management and more. As a result, ACS customers will receive unified product and service management on a statewide basis.

Rob Mol, Executive Vice President for Atos Origin, says, "With the implementation of version 4.6, ACS stands at the forefront of the telecommunications industry in North America. By consolidating its administrative functions onto one platform, it can more effectively service a geographically dispersed customer base. As it continues to evolve, ACS will also be able to leverage the web-enabled features of version 4.6, among other benefits, as well as take advantage of its inherent scalability and performance."

Mike Holstrom, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for ACS explains that the company has doubled its size since starting its expansion efforts in 1998 and now serves over 75% of the Alaskan population. "This led to a need to re-architect a solution as part of our commitment to continuously improving and streamlining its business processes," he says.

"We are in a rapidly growing and highly competitive industry, and our ability to manage our costs will be significantly enhanced by the efficiencies that SAP 4.6 provides," continues Holstrom. "This investment, along with a number of other significant back office IT projects initiated over the past 18 months, provides the company with significant additional scalability to accommodate a high level of growth in the number of customers and services."

Holstrom adds that ACS has worked extensively with Atos Origin in the past on previous SAP implementations. "Based on the strength of our past relationship, and Atos Origin's 20 years of experience working with SAP solutions, we had confidence in their consulting strength and delivery capabilities. We felt that Atos Origin was the ideal choice for helping us through this transition, and we appreciate the dedication, determination and hard work of those involved in this project."

About ACS

ACS is the leading diversified, facilities-based telecommunications provider in Alaska, offering local service, wireless, long distance, data and Internet services to business and residential customers throughout Alaska. ACS currently serves approximately 330,000 access lines and 74,000 cellular customers throughout the State. Members of the ACS senior management team have played significant roles in bringing advanced technology to Alaska for more than four decades. ACS is traded on NASDAQ under the symbol "ALSK".

About Atos Origin

Atos Origin is a leading provider of end-to-end information technology and e-business solutions and services that enable clients to turn their business objectives into value-driven results. The company's 27,000 employees deliver innovative solutions and strong industry experience to better manage the entire value network for companies, extended enterprises and e-communities. Atos Origin currently operates in 33 countries worldwide, with sales of $2.4 billion ($US) in 1999.

In North America, Atos Origin, previously know as Origin Technology in Business, operates out of eight main locations, including South Plainfield (NJ), Irvine (CA), Dallas (TX), Chicago (IL), Cincinnati (OH), Columbus (OH), Toronto and Mexico City. Customers include Lucent Technologies, NCR, Nortel, Philip Morris, Philips, Shell, Unilever and others primarily in the high-tech electronics, chemical/pharmaceutical, discrete manufacturing and consumer packaged goods industries.