Captain D's Upgrades to DIRECWAY Broadband Solution Restaurant Chain Experiences Improved Efficiencies and Lower Costs, While Improving Customer Service GERMANTOWN, Md., May 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Hughes Network Systems announced today that Captain D's, a national high-quality, quick-service seafood restaurant, recently migrated to a DIRECWAY(R) Private IP broadband network connecting over 560 restaurants in 22 states. As a result of implementing the DIRECWAY broadband solution, Captain D's has achieved the following key benefits: * Enhanced customer service; * Higher customer satisfaction scores; * Improved employee training; and * Decreased travel costs. Prior to its decision to upgrade to DIRECWAY, Captain D's researched and tested a number of broadband options, including frame relay, cable, and digital subscriber line (DSL). Ultimately, they chose the DIRECWAY solution because of its ability to connect all Captain D's remote locations without interfering with systems already in place. "We examined a number of service providers. We looked at DSL, cable, and frame relay solutions and found that DIRECWAY was the only solution that worked at every site regardless of wiring, set-up, or location. Other broadband providers couldn't deliver that," said Chris Crabtree, Captain D's vice president of information services. "During our DSL pilots, we experienced problems with sites that would spontaneously go down. We are looking at expanding internationally and were impressed by the fact that with satellite, we can use the system anywhere without a problem. With DSL, it was hit or miss," said Crabtree. The DIRECWAY satellite broadband solution allows Captain D's employees to train staff remotely at each restaurant site utilizing the company intranet. Prior to using DIRECWAY, the company did not have a system in place that enabled new employees and managers at each location to concurrently receive training materials. With DIRECWAY, materials are multicast, received simultaneously and can be stored, allowing employees to train at times convenient to them. It has also saved on travel costs as employees train locally. Since implementing DIRECWAY, Captain D's has seen a greater level of consistency across their chain on everything from recipe creation to customer service. The company has also experienced a decrease in worker compensation claims and an increase in customer satisfaction levels. In addition, the company has enhanced the quality of its store systems and training technology, a feat that according to Crabtree would not have been possible without DIRECWAY. "Captain D's success is a great example of how a satellite broadband solution can help streamline an organization's business operations, as well as provide a considerable ROI. In addition, DIRECWAY is a broadband solution that works at all sites, regardless of geography," said Ken Cohen, assistant vice president of restaurant solutions at HNS. About Captain D's The first Captain D's opened in Donelson, Tennessee in 1969. Then called Mr. D's, the restaurant chain's goal has been to serve high-quality, quick- service seafood. In 1974, the restaurant chain changed its name to Captain D's. Today, there are more than 500 locations in 22 states. About Hughes Network Systems Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HNS) is the world's leading provider of broadband satellite network solutions for businesses and consumers, with more than 800,000 systems ordered or shipped to customers in 85 countries. HNS pioneered the development of high-speed satellite Internet access services, which it markets globally under the DIRECWAY brand. DIRECWAY is based on the IPoS (IP over satellite) global standard, approved by both TIA and ETSI standards organizations. Headquartered outside Washington, D.C., in Germantown, Maryland, USA, HNS maintains sales and support offices worldwide. For additional information, please visit http://www.hns.com/. HUGHES and Hughes Network Systems are trademarks of Hughes Network Systems, LLC. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. DATASOURCE: Hughes Network Systems, LLC CONTACT: Judy Blake of Hughes Network Systems, +1-301-601-7330, ; or Donna L. Taylor of Brodeur, +1-202-775-2650, , for Hughes Network Systems, LLC Web site: http://www.hns.com/

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