DST Output Clients Recognized for Excellence in Outsourcing

Ford Motor Credit and Xcel Energy Place as Semi-Finalists in Outsourcing Journal's Editor's Choice Competition

KANSAS CITY, Mo., April 21 -- They're called the "Oscars of Outsourcing." Every year Outsourcing Journal recognizes "excellence in outsourcing relationships." This year two DST Output, Inc. clients -- Ford Motor Credit and Xcel Energy -- were selected from a field of 90 candidates as semi-finalists in the Editor's Choice competition.

Outsourcing Journal, a recognized thought leader in the outsourcing business, invites nominations from companies that outsource key business processes. A panel of experts evaluates and scores nominations based on criteria such as the initial negotiations and governance structure of the arrangement, the teamwork/partnership manner in which the parties work together on an ongoing basis, and the value achieved through the relationship.

DST Output produces 7.5 million print and electronic images a month for Ford Motor Credit. Asked by Outsourcing Journal to list the "top keys to the success of this relationship," Arthur Belloli, manager of supplier relations at Ford Motor Credit, noted: "DST Output's platform scalability; their employees' flexibility; their high-quality designs and low error rates; their consistently fast turnaround; the refreshing application of their new internal 'client relationship management model'; their frequent communication with us, from daily operational issues to periodic and annual strategic conversations; their integrated offerings of our products from our single data feed; and their software development skills. All of these contribute to the strength of our relationship."

Xcel Energy relies on DST Output to provide data formatting, printing, mailing, and tracking of two million customer invoices a month. In their submission to Outsourcing Journal, Jane Doyon, director of customer care billing services and operations at Xcel Energy, identified the power of the partnership: "We are committed to each other's success. We are partners, driving for process improvements throughout the entire cycle of the relationship, from idea creation to production to invoicing and payment, with the goals being to enhance service to Xcel Energy's customers and reduce its costs."

"We are delighted to see our outsourcing relationships recognized as exemplary," said Charlie Schellhorn, president and CEO of DST Output. "We take great pride in our customer intimacy and operational excellence. What this competition judges is precisely the quality of the client-partner relationship."

About DST Output

DST Output, a wholly-owned subsidiary of DST Systems, Inc., has more than 30 years experience helping companies communicate with their customers. DST Output provides integrated print and electronic communications solutions for the brokerage, banking, mutual fund, insurance, communications, and health care industries. DST Output produces more than 2 billion customer communications a year for clients from state-of-the-art facilities in North America. Last year IndustryWeek magazine selected one of those facilities as one of the "Top Ten Plants in North America." For more information visit www.dstoutput.com.