Freightliner Signs IT Outsourcing Agreement With debis

3 December 1998

Freightliner Signs IT Outsourcing Agreement With debis

    PORTLAND, Ore.--Dec. 2, 1998--Freightliner Corporation announced a major information technology contract with debis IT Services North America.
    Under terms of the five-year agreement, valued at $70 million, debis will provide systems and support for all of Freightliner's existing and future dealer locations. Freightliner currently has over 500 North American Freightliner and Sterling dealer locations.
    debis IT Services North America, based in Chicago, develops and manages computer systems and consults on IT issues. It is a subsidiary of debis Systemhaus GmbH, Stuttgart, a DaimlerChrysler Company.
    Discussions between the two companies began in early 1998, and already, Freightliner and debis have identified a strategy to optimize Freightliner's dealer systems. A key element of debis' work will be the migration of dealer systems from traditional client/server technology to an Internet technology-based platform. The new Web-based systems will provide more flexibility and better integration with dealer applications.
    "Freightliner has pioneered the use of information technology in supporting truck operators and truly is the only heavy truck manufacturer developing its own dealer business systems," said James L. Hebe, Freightliner President and CEO. "Our arsenal of applications encompasses everything from sophisticated on-board vehicle electronics to industry-leading service support software. By joining with debis to convert our dealer systems to flexible and universal Internet-based technology, we will further enhance our world class customer service."
    "We are very pleased to be working with Freightliner, the industry leaders in meeting the product and support needs of their customers," said Rick Wargo, President and CEO of debis IT Services North America. "Over the years, Freightliner has established an enviable track record in its use of information technology to differentiate its products and its dealers in the marketplace and deliver unsurpassed customer service. The trust Freightliner has placed in debis to enhance their existing IT capabilities is very gratifying, and we are confident of our ability to assist Freightliner in meeting their business objectives."
    debis Systemhaus, parent of debis IT Services North America, is one of Europe's leading information technology providers with 1997 revenues of $1.8 billion. debis Systemhaus, known internationally as debis IT Services, is a company of DaimlerChrysler Services (debis) AG, Berlin.
    Freightliner Corporation, headquartered in Portland, Oregon, is the leading heavy truck manufacturer in North America. Freightliner produces and markets Class 3-8 trucks and is a DaimlerChrysler Company, the world's largest commercial vehicle manufacturer.