VANCOUVER, Wash. – (May 13, 2008) – New Edge Networks, the business communications unit of EarthLink Inc. ( NASDAQ: ELNK) said Whitehall Jewelers Inc., ( OTCBB: WHJH), has expanded and renewed a multi-year agreement for managing and maintaining a private network linking the jewelry chain’s 375 stores in regional and super-regional shopping malls and power centers in 39 states. The contract is valued at $1.6 million.
Building on a long-standing business relationship, New Edge will manage and maintain Whitehall’s existing private IP network based on DSL technology. The agreement also expands Whitehall’s network to 78 recently acquired jewelry stores. Installation work at the newly acquired locations is underway.
The specialty retailer of fine jewelry uses its private wide area network for processing store transactions, sales polling, selected Web access and corporate email. To ensure privacy and security, Whitehall’s network traffic, such as payment transactions and email, does not traverse the public Internet.
“Our business relationship with Whitehall Jewelers has led to our mutual growth and success,” said Greg Griffiths, vice president of marketing for New Edge. “Both companies have benefited from trying new service approaches for optimizing the value of a private network after discussions in quarterly account review meetings.
Feedback from Whitehall was instrumental in New Edge’s decision to reorganize its operations support center and assign dedicated teams of technicians for supporting large customers with complex network configurations. When these customers call New Edge’s operations support system, they speak to someone they likely know by first name and who is familiar with their network design.
“Our private network is an important component of our business growth plans and strategies,”said Mark Funasaki, executive vice president and chief administrative officer for Chicago-based Whitehall Jewelers.
“We want to use our network to favorably transform the shopping experience for our customers,” Funasaki said. “Network flexibility, uptime and stability are paramount for smooth and efficient store operations.”
About Whitehall Jewelers
Whitehall Jewelers ( OTCBB: WHJH) is a national specialty retailer of fine jewelry offering a selection of merchandise in the following categories: diamonds, gold, precious and semi-precious jewelry and watches. As of April 30, 2008, Whitehall Jewelers operated 375 stores in regional and super-regional malls as well as power centers in 39 states. For more information, visit www.whitehalljewelers.com.
About New Edge Networks
New Edge Networks builds and manages private IP-based wide area networks that do not use the public Internet. Connecting business sites at virtually any address in the United States, New Edge allows businesses to choose any blend of available access technologies – from DSL and T1 lines to fiber-optic connections – for building private and secure MPLS networks with performance guarantees. A wholly owned subsidiary of Atlanta-based EarthLink Inc., ( NASDAQ: ELNK), New Edge is based in Vancouver, Wash. For more information visit www.newedgenetworks.com or call 1-360-693-9009.
Contact:
Sal Cinquegrani
1-360-906-9723
1-847-420-1750 (cell)
scinquegrani@newedgenetworks.com
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