On Command Unveils First Rapid-Response Parts & Supply Center for the Hotel Industry
4-Hour Support To Be Available For The Majority of On Command Hotels
STERLING, Va. -- Lowering operating costs and further improving its industry-leading service capabilities, On Command Corporation ONCO has teamed with MSAS Global Logistics to establish the first network of "forward stocking locations" serving hotels worldwide. The new network can reduce the response time for critical parts delivery to as little as four hours at the majority of hotels employing On Command's in-room entertainment and information...
Today's announcement was made at MSAS' Washington, DC area facility by David Simpson, vice president of operations for On Command. On Command has also opened a center utilizing MSAS' Global Service Network in Denver. The next centers to open will be Chicago and Orlando by month's end, with nine additional major U.S. metropolitan markets to come on board within the next three months. The network is planned to include regional supply centers located throughout North America, South America, Europe and Asia.
When the network is complete, over 55 percent of On Command's U.S. hotel rooms will be able to receive service and installation parts within four-hours - via both will-call and courier services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Virtually all On Command domestic rooms will be covered by overnight service, using ground carriers.
"Today's opening of the Washington DC supply center marks the completion of a year-long effort by On Command to study, prototype and develop this worldwide supply network," stated Allan Goodson, executive vice president and chief operating officer for On Command. "Hotels can now be assured that orders from field service technicians will be processed and delivered using the most advanced and cost-efficient system currently available. This applies regardless of the order entry system used including our 800 parts support service, web-based parts ordering system, or direct entry into On Command's Oracle Applications system."
Mr. Simpson added, "Each On Command regional supply center is integrated through an Internet Virtual Private Network to the company's Oracle system, assuring complete coordination from part ordering to delivery confirmation."
"We are extremely pleased about being selected by On Command to help create the first electronic commerce, web-based spare parts requisition system in the hospitality support industry," said MSAS USA general manager and vice president Randy Briggs. "This partnership further demonstrates MSAS' abilities to implement and manage strategic, supply chain solutions for leading edge technology and communications companies such as On Command," noted Briggs.
MSAS Global Logistics is the preferred transportation and logistics supplier to many of the world's demanding clients. The organization supports supply chain operations by building customized programs from a complete range of service capabilities. Global transportation, regional distribution, inventory control, warehousing, value-added services, information management and supply chain solutions. On Command Corporation is based in San Jose, California, with offices located across the United States and around the world in Bangkok, Hong Kong, London, Madrid, Mexico City, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney, and Toronto. The company annually serves more than 200 million guests in approximately 3,355 hotel properties and 950,000 guestrooms worldwide, representing more than 100 hotel chains in over 20 countries.
On Command is listed on The NASDAQ Stock market under the symbol ONCO and its warrants are traded under the symbols ONCOW and ONCOZ. On Command Corporation is a majority-owned subsidiary of Ascent Entertainment Group, Inc.
(c) 1999 On Command Corporation. The On Command logo is a registered trademark, OCX is a trademark and @Hotel is a service mark of On Command Corporation.
This report contains, in addition to historical information, forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which reflect the Company's current judgments of those issues. However, because those statements are forward-looking and apply to future events, they are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause the Company's results to differ materially. In addition to the factors discussed herein, which could cause the Company's results to differ materially, this report should be read in conjunction with the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998, and on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1999 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.