ConTech Provides Premier, Integrated Remote Systems Management Solution to Long John Silver's Restaurants, Inc.

Business Editors

CARMEL, Ind. and LEXINGTON, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 3, 2000

ConTech, Inc. today announced that Long John Silver's Restaurants, Inc., (LJS) the nations #1 quick-service seafood restaurant chain, has selected Contech's PRSM(TM) solution to manage the computer systems and applications for its 750 company owned stores and approximately 200 mobile laptop users.

PRSM was designed by ConTech to support remote site networks ranging in size from dozens to tens of thousands of locations, all reporting to a virtual "single" console. Built on the superior performance and capabilities of the innovative Computer Associates Unicenter TNG technology, PRSM provides fast, reliable and efficient transport of all kinds of data across a wide set of platforms, protocols and formats including asynchronous dial, VSAT, frame relay, ISDN and Internet connections. The PRSM solution leverages seven key capabilities of CA's Unicenter TNG, which are required of remote computer users --Data Transport Option, Software Delivery Option, Asset Management Option, Remote Control Option, Antivirus Option, Data Backup and System Agents.

LJS has always been a leader in the utilization of technology to maximize the efficiency of their store operations to provide superior service to their customers. As LJS migrated to a Windows NT environment utilizing Frame Relay (IP), it became apparent that the existing software used was not going to meet the demands of the new technologies being implemented. As a result, LJS began a search for a successor product and found that ConTech's PRSM matched LJS' requirements for growth.

"PRSM will be the polling platform and primary vehicle for pulling sales figures, labor information and other data from each LJS restaurant every night. In addition, we will be able to send price and menu changes on an as needed basis. The PRSM suite of components will be fully integrated into the LJS POS and Back Office systems. PRSM will manage the data tracking labor, inventory, food cost, sales mix analysis, sales reporting and management information," said Glenn West, LJS Vice President of IT Services. "By implementing PRSM, LJS will be able to realize higher levels of efficiency, saving time and money."

CA's Unicenter TNG Software Delivery Option (SDO) of the PRSM solution is another component vital to the successful application management for LJS. SDO provides multi-platform software package management. As a new software release is made available, a simple drag and drop of the files can be made, delivery scheduled and, upon reaching the designated store, confirmation of the transfer occurs. Using the Unicenter TNG Data Transport Option (DTO) protocol, SDO selects the best route for each location and broadcasts or multi-casts to those designated. With DTO, headquarters can be assured the bandwidth is available to other applications, so software deliveries and polling can occur around the clock.

PRSM is also able to address the Help Desk operations for LJS. LJS had been using an option included with their older polling software which had significant performance problems. The product's slowness created a myriad of problems when the LJS Help Desk support team attempted to intervene at the store level.

The Unicenter TNG Remote Control Option enables system administrators, help-desk staff, trainers and telecommuters to assume control over one or more desktops and servers from any remote location worldwide. This application will allow the LJS Help Desk team quickly and easily troubleshoot and train users remotely, taking control of their keyboards and sharing their screens as required. PRSM will address the need for LJS to manage nearly 1000 remote sites from a single console.

"A critical function for us is the troubleshooting and diagnosis of the remote computers in our 750 restaurants and approximately 200 remote laptop users. We knew that our remote console capabilities were weak in this area and PRSM provides the perfect solution by allowing us to dial a restaurant from the Help Desk, visualize the problem from a screen and gain control of the keyboard to correct the problem," said Mr. West.

ConTech has been focusing on businesses with remote site distribution models for over eight years, providing connectivity and remote device management solutions. Mr. West said that LJS selected ConTech's PRSM to bring solutions to our remote management needs because of the architecture of the product which provides vast scalability and flexibility for customization. "Also, we felt ConTech was uniquely qualified to help us install, configure, train and support PRSM due to their extensive experience in both the retail and restaurant industries. Finally, ConTech's backing by Computer Associates let us know that they will be around to help us grow into the future," said Mr. West.

Pamela Roundtree, LJS Director of Restaurant Systems added, "We looked at two or three other products and felt that the PRSM product was head and shoulders above the competition."

"ConTech has been focused exclusively on remote systems management for nearly a decade and, by partnering with Computer Associates we have been able to develop, deliver and support a breakthrough technology," said Bob Foley, ConTech president. "Our clients face the unique challenge of supporting sophisticated computers and applications deployed across thousands of miles and with PRSM they can manage these networks as if their systems were "down the hall". Since its inception, ConTech has been committed to providing outstanding customer support to its client base and we are proud of our reputation with our hundreds of customers."

PRSM is the industry's first integrated remote systems management product and is based on Computer Associates International, Inc.'s (CA) award-winning enterprise management solution, Unicenter TNG(R). PRSM addresses the most pressing needs of the foodservice industry by managing laptop computers and the computers and networks that are in their outlying restaurants.

BACKGROUND ON LJS:

In 1999 Long John Silver's merged with A&W Restaurants to form Yorkshire Global Restaurants, a privately held company. The combined restaurant businesses operate more than 2,270 restaurants in 47 states and 22 countries with combined sales in excess of $1.1 billion. 1n 1998 Long John Silver's had system-wide sales of nearly $800 million or approximately sixty percent of the $1.4 billion quick-service seafood business in the country. Through over 14, 000 employees, LJS serves items such as batter-dipped fish, chicken, clams, shrimp, sandwiches, salads and desserts.

ConTech, Inc. (www.contech-inc.com) has focused for nearly a decade on bringing remote communications and systems management solutions to their client base across the country and world. ConTech has gained a reputation as the leading integrator of systems management for distributed businesses. ConTech, Inc. is a Diamond Level Enterprise Solution Provider for Computer Associates International and is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana with offices across the country.