Reynolds and Reynolds and Ford Motor Company Team Up for FordSecure Initiative

Reynolds providing Ford and Lincoln-Mercury retailers with the latest network and connectivity services to meet new dealer communication system requirements

DAYTON, Ohio, Oct. 5 -- The Reynolds and Reynolds Company announced today that it is working with Ford Motor Company's FORDSTAR organization and Ford and Lincoln-Mercury automotive retailers to shift legacy satellite-based dealer data communication systems to an optional Internet-based communication system under Ford's FordSecure initiative.

The move from legacy applications to an Internet-based communication strategy offers improvements in business and data communications while managing expenses and streamlining support.

Working with Ford Motor Company, Reynolds and Reynolds has built a virtual private network (VPN) that connects Ford Motor Company to Reynolds' secure data center, as well as directly to the dealers' Reynolds dealer management systems, creating the FordSecure solution. This solution securely integrates Ford with its retailers and their Reynolds dealer management systems enabling both parties to easily transmit and receive legacy business data. As part of the agreement, Reynolds is also supporting Ford's initiative by offering retailers solutions for high-speed Internet connectivity.

Reynolds Private Managed Network with Secure Internet Access offers next- generation VPN technology designed to maximize bandwidth and provide a private, secure, cost-effective wide area network (WAN) that is fully managed and backed by high levels of security and reliability. Reynolds has teamed with global communications provider MCI to implement its Private IP solution as the platform for Reynolds next-generation IP-based communications network. With MCI's advanced traffic management capabilities, Ford and its dealers will be able to securely and efficiently expedite key business functions.

Reynolds Secure Internet Access, which is being offered to Ford retailers, provides a secure, dedicated high-speed Internet connection. With the Reynolds Private Managed Network, a retailer's other store locations can connect directly with Reynolds Internet Services without redirection through a host, eliminating a bottleneck for Internet traffic.

"In retailing, it's crucial for your network to be fully integrated. Speed and reliability is essential," said Jim Aten, vice president of Reynolds Networking Services. "With the Reynolds Private Managed Network plus Internet, retailers get the latest in networking technology and services and most importantly, peace of mind."