Countrywide Home Loans Selects Spacenet to Provide a Satellite-Based Interactive Distance Learning Network
Spacenet's VSAT satellite network to offer interactive training to more than 500 Countrywide offices nationwide
McLean, VA, August 12, 1999 - Today, Spacenet Inc. announced it has been selected by Countrywide Home Loans, Inc. to provide a Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) satellite communications network and an advanced software-based interactive distance learning system to more than 500 Countrywide offices nationwide. The system will enable Countrywide to provide software training to its nationwide field organization. Countrywide is the nation's largest independent residential mortgage lender.
The Spacenet solution integrates Gilat's Skystar Advantage® VSAT network with specialized interactive distance learning software to enable Countrywide to rapidly and cost-effectively train its associates on new software applications and other aspects of business and operations. The system is also expected to be used in the future to support other types of corporate communications.
The training software, TrainNet Pro™, is a product of Gilat Communications Ltd. (NASDAQ: GICOF), a company related to Gilat. TrainNet Pro is a PC-based training system that enables highly effective interactive training to take place between a central instructor and a geographically dispersed group of students. The system combines live video with interactive voice, email, and online testing capabilities, effectively replicating the classroom environment for the distributed participants.
Of particular significance in the Countrywide application is the system's ability to support "application projection." With this capability, the instructor can "project" PC screens of the particular software application being taught via IP multicast directly to each remote student. Each student sees, in real time, the PC screen precisely as it is seen by the instructor. Each field entry or mouse click is seen by the student, thus enabling the instructor to provide highly effective training to the entire distributed audience on what may be a complex software application.
The Skystar Advantage VSAT network economically delivers training and multicast applications directly to the desktop. The network's two-way capability enables dramatic improvement in student/instructor interaction. The Countrywide network is the 10th U.S. contract awarded to Spacenet this year.
"Until now, we have deployed traditional methods requiring employees to travel to central locations for critical sales training and introduction of new sales force productivity software. Our analysis shows that using VSATs to bring these functions to the desktop is expected to reduce our hourly, per-person corporate training costs significantly," said Michael Spalter, Countrywide's Senior Vice President, Enterprise Network Services.
In addition to reducing training-related travel time and expenses, the new VSAT network is expected to enable Countrywide to leverage skilled instructors, increase productivity, and deliver timely corporate communications through the use of business TV programming.
"We believe there is a strong trend in the enterprise marketplace for distance learning applications. Spacenet's integrated solution provides corporate training organizations with the technology and services to easily adopt this effective corporate training tool," said Shelly Revkin, Spacenet President and Chief Operating Officer.
About Countrywide
Founded in 1969, Countrywide Home Loans is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. A member of the S&P 500, Countrywide is the nation's leading independent residential mortgage lender and servicer. Headquartered in Calabasas, Calif., the company has more than 550 offices and over 11,000 employees nationwide.
About Spacenet
With headquarters in McLean, Virginia, Spacenet Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. of Petah Tikva, Israel. Spacenet provides a wide range of satellite communications networks and services to companies throughout North America. With the acquisition of Spacenet from GE Americom in December 1998, Gilat now offers a complete range of network services, including access to satellite transponder capacity, installation of network equipment, network monitoring and control, as well as maintenance and repair.
Spacenet Media Contact:
David Myers
Senior Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Development
(703) 848-1200
david.myers@spacenet.com
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