Kia Motors America Enhances Retail Communication System

 Reynolds Network Services to support Kia's new Dealer Communication Services
                            Network across the US

    DAYTON, Ohio, Jan. 24 -- The Reynolds and Reynolds
Company today announced that Kia Motors America (KMA) has selected
the company as a provider of complete networking services to its 628 retailers
across the United States. The contract extends over the next three years.
    As part of the agreement, Reynolds Network Services will provide Kia
retailers with the hardware and services needed to connect to and fully
utilize Kia's Dealer Communication Services Network (DCSN), a high-speed and
secure network portal that provides unlimited access points to Kia retailers
to the KMA system and the Internet.
    In addition, these services will be fully compatible with STAR interface
standards. The Standards for Technology in Automotive Retail (STAR) is a non-
profit, auto-industry-wide initiative to create voluntary IT standards for how
car companies, retailers and customers communicate with each other.
    "The DCSN initiative is imperative to the continued and growing success of
Kia retailers across the country," said Peter Butterfield, Kia president and
chief executive officer. "It was important for KMA to utilize networking
services proven in the industry, and to choose a provider that has the deep
industry knowledge and expertise as demonstrated by Reynolds and Reynolds."
    According to Harold Drezner, Vice President/General Manager with Courtesy
Kia in Las Vegas, "This new Web-based communication strategy eliminates the
need for dedicated proprietary hardware, dedicated PCs and connectivity, and
at the same time, enables my multi-franchise business to have a single
communication infrastructure.
    "By leveraging the new network infrastructure we have increased the number
of access points as well as greatly reduced the time required to complete
transactions. The bottom line is that the combination allows us to spend more
time to focus on our customers," added Drezner.
    Reynolds Network Services delivers connectivity solutions tailored
specifically to the needs of a retailer's or car company's business. There are
several proven solutions currently available, including frame-relay and point-
to-point connectivity, wireless bridging, secure Internet connectivity and in-
store consulting. Network Services also provides a single point of contact for
all system issues and problem-solving, alleviating the need to contact
multiple vendors for service inquiries.
    "Reynolds' goal is to deliver technical services and products that result
in high-quality network solutions that meet or exceed our customers' business
needs," said Scott Schafer, senior vice president of Sales, Marketing and
InfoStructure Services at Reynolds. "We are excited and pleased to provide Kia
and its retailers with these services and all of the advanced functionality
they will provide to their businesses."