West Marine Selects MCI As Voice and Data Communications Provider
Managed Communications Solution to Enhance West Marine Customer Sales and
Service at Retail Locations and on the Internet
WATSONVILLE, Calif., Sept. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- West Marine, Inc.,
(NASDAQ:WMAR), the nation's largest specialty retailer of boating supplies and
apparel, today announced it has selected MCI (NASDAQ:MCIP) as its primary
provider of voice and data services. Under terms of the three-year agreement,
MCI will deliver managed broadband digital subscriber line (DSL) and voice
services to West Marine's 355 retail stores and Internet as well as catalog
sales support systems.
"This strategic alliance with MCI will enable us to maximize our
telecommunications capabilities to serve our customers faster and more
efficiently," said John Edmondson, West Marine's chief executive officer. "We
will count on MCI's communications expertise and look forward to growing our
business capabilities with the quality service and support we know to expect
from them." MCI's managed DSL solution will provide cost-effective, high-speed connectivity
for West Marine employees and customers nationwide at speeds seven times faster
than the company's existing connectivity. After transitioning its services to
MCI, West Marine store associates will be equipped to handle a higher volume of
customer requests and complete inventory searches more quickly.
West Marine will also use MCI as its primary communications provider for its
customer contact centers. By delivering toll-free services with enhanced call
routing capabilities, MCI's managed services unit, MCI Solutions, is enabling
West Marine to expedite responsiveness to customer orders through the reduction
of call wait times and ensuring calls are answered by the appropriate customer
service representative.
"Building upon our voice and data capabilities and network reach, MCI is able
to provide West Marine with a tailored, cost-effective solution that will grow
with the company's demands," said Jarrett Appleby, senior vice president, MCI
Solutions "This agreement demonstrates how MCI can enhance a customer's
business operations and improve customer relationships through a solution that
addresses their unique needs." Telwares directed the project on behalf of West Marine by managing the entire
RFP process and negotiating the pricing, terms and conditions of the contract.
ABOUT MCI MCI, Inc., (NASDAQ:MCIP), is a leading global communications provider,
delivering innovative, cost-effective, advanced communications connectivity to
businesses, governments and consumers. With the industry's most expansive
global IP backbone, based on the number of company-owned points of presence,
and wholly-owned data networks, MCI develops the converged communications
products and services that are the foundation for commerce and communications
in today's market. For more information, go to http://www.mci.com/.
ABOUT WEST MARINE, INC.
West Marine, Inc., is the nation's largest specialty retailer of boating
supplies and apparel, with more than 355 stores in 38 states, Puerto Rico and
Canada, and more than $600 million in annual sales. The Company's catalog and
Internet site offer more than 50,000 products -- far more than any competitor -
and the convenience of being able to exchange Internet purchases at West Marine
retail stores. The Company's Port Supply division is the country's largest
wholesale distributor of marine equipment, serving boat manufacturers, marine
services, commercial vessel operators and government agencies. For more
information on West Marine's products and store locations, or to start
shopping, visit http://www.westmarine.com/ or call 1-800-BOATING (1-800-262-
8464). DATASOURCE: MCI, Inc.; West Marine, Inc.
CONTACT: Media - Samantha Curley of Sawyer Miller San Francisco, +1-415-399-1002, ; or Natasha Haubold of MCI Public Relations, 1-800-644-NEWS Web site: http://www.mci.com/ http://www.westmarine.com/
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