Server: Netscape-Enterprise/2.0a Date: Mon, 29 Dec 1997 19:15:49 GMT Content-type: text/html KINDERCARE - News



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

KINDERCARE SAVES TIME, LOWERS COSTS WITH NETSCAPE INTERNET TECHNOLOGY

NEW CORPORATE INTRANET EXPECTED TO REDUCE ADMINISTRATIVE TIME BY HALF, STREAMLINE COMMUNICATIONS AND ENABLE COLLABORATION

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (December 2, 1996) -- Netscape Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: NSCP) today announced that KinderCare Learning Centers Inc. (NASDAQ: KCLC), the largest preschool and child care company in the United States, is standardizing on Netscape client and server software for its corporate Intranet and Internet sites. Using Netscape SuiteSpot server software and Netscape Navigator as its internal client software, KinderCare plans to reduce dramatically the administrative paper load required to update and communicate with 1,149 centers located throughout the United States. KinderCare, headquartered in Montgomery, Alabama, has an enrollment of approximately 126,000 children in full-time and part-time programs and employs over 23,000 people.

Prior to adopting Netscape Internet technology several months ago, tracking enrollment and attendance, updating curriculum and providing information to its centers was far from child's play for KinderCare. Every month, headquarters manually sorted, assembled and mailed bulky packets of paperwork consisting of documentation, manual updates, policy releases and child care information to each of its centers. Occasional interim mailings from human resources, legal, marketing, accounting and finance were distributed the same way. The company's Intranet - called KinderNet - is designed to eliminate that process.

"With our Intranet, our information flow will be tremendously improved," said Bob Willey, vice president for information systems at KinderCare. "Using Netscape Navigator software, every center director will have point-and-click access to all corporate information. Routine administrative tasks such as payroll management and ordering supplies will take a fraction of the time. Instead of monthly updates, we will be able to distribute reports and questionnaires, update our databases, and revise our center listings on a daily basis. Not only is it more efficient, it will also give our directors better information. It's made our life and their lives a lot easier."

With Netscape mail and collaboration features, KinderNet will also allow the quick and easy exchange of information between centers. Centers will be able to share program information and new developments in the field as it becomes available. KinderCare also plans to continue development of its external site as a resource for parents, providing brochures, features on child care, directories and maps for the nearest centers, as well as site-specific information including staff profiles, education, experience and accreditation. Eventually, KinderCare expects that each center will have a link which allows parents to review schedules, check daily activities and menus, and even review their child's progress and development through password-protected access. As part of its commitment to preparing children for a technology connected world, KinderCare also plans to network its classroom computers, helping children take advantage of the educational tools available on the Internet. Because its research shows that parents place a high priority on these kinds of educational programs, KinderCare views its expanding information system infrastructure as a crucial means for keeping a competitive edge.

"KinderCare's Intranet is a terrific example of how Netscape Internet-based solutions can help every kind of company realize profound cost and productivity efficiencies," said Mike Homer, senior vice president of marketing for Netscape. "Because most Netscape products provide transparent access through a common interface, users don't need technical training or background to readily take advantage of the wealth of options available to them. The creative possibilities for businesses are boundless."

KinderCare center directors previously reported time attendance, enrollment and finance through a non-programmable asynchronous terminal interface tied to a corporate database. If they had queries, such as questions on benefits, they had to call for information and talk to a customer support manager. KinderCare now plans to migrate its systems during the next six months away from desktop applications to Netscape's universal client architecture. This will allow directors to make and receive reports and queries directly.

"Directors will be able to pull up Netscape Navigator, go to KinderNet, pull up the payroll screens, enter the information, hit submit, and that will enter the information into our corporate database without having to connect to mainframe. Netscape software makes KinderNet platform and application independent," said David Burke, director of communications and client support at KinderCare. "Initial feedback from our first installations is extremely enthusiastic. Currently, center directors spend an average of ten hours per week on the computer. We think our Intranet system will reduce that by half, leaving our directors more time for their first priority, providing the best possible child care programs."

KinderCare Learning Centers, Inc. (NASDAQ: KCLC), is the largest preschool and child care company in the United States. At the end of the first quarter of fiscal 1997, under the banners of KinderCare Learning Centers, Inc., KinderCare at Work and Kid's Choice, the company operated 1,151 child care centers in 38 states and the United Kingdom with an enrollment of approximately 126,000 children and employed over 23,000 people. Children's education programs include: toddler programs "Look at Me" and "Let Me Do It;" preschool programs "My Window on the World" and "Once Upon a Time...;" and the school age program "KC Imagination Highway." KinderCare was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in Montgomery, Alabama.

Additional information on KinderCare Learning Centers, Inc. is available on the Internet at http://www.kindercare.com, by sending email to info@kindercare.com, or by calling 800/633-1488. Direct contact to KinderCare's Web Master (Danny Jeter) is also available through email to djeter@kindercare.com.

Netscape Communications Corporation is a leading provider of open software for linking people and information over enterprise networks and the Internet. The company offers a full line of clients, servers, development tools and commercial applications to create a complete platform for next-generation, live online applications. Traded on NASDAQ under the symbol "NSCP," Netscape Communications Corporation is based in Mountain View, California.

Additional information on Netscape Communications Corporation is available on the Internet at http://home.netscape.com, by sending email to info@netscape.com, or by calling 415/937-2555 (corporations) or 415/937-3777 (individuals).

Netscape, the Netscape Communication Corporation logo, Netscape SuiteSpot and Netscape Navigator are trademarks of Netscape Communication Corporation. All other product names are trademarks of their respective companies.

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