[LETTERHEAD OF BROCKER TECHNOLOGY GROUP]
Brocker's Online Billing Solution Enables Power Company to Offer
Discount Prepaid Cell Phone Service to Customers
AUCKLAND, New Zealand - December 19, 2000. TrustPower, one of New Zealand's
largest power companies, has launched a promotion that offers low-cost, pre-paid
cell phones to its 230,000 customers. TrustPower is working with Online
Telecommunications, a division of Brocker Technology Group (Nasdaq: BTGL, TSE:
BKI), to bring this offer to market. Brocker Online's proprietary billing
software enables the phone sale and subsequent recharges to be charged directly
to TrustPower customers' electric bills.
Brocker Online Telecommunications developed the software that allows customers
to recharge cell phones in real time. When a customer calls the toll free
number, the software system identifies the calling number and asks for a PIN.
The system verifies the PIN, checks the customer's credit history and credit
limit, and allows the customer to recharge up to that limit. The system then
reads out a transaction number for the customer's records. The whole transaction
takes less than 60 seconds. Data from the transaction is then sent to TrustPower
for billing.
Brocker Online purchases excess cellular airtime at a discount from Telecom New
Zealand, and resells it. After adding its own margin Brocker is still able give
TrustPower customers a lower airtime rate than they could get directly from
Telecom.
"We believe that leadership and innovation are essential in our business," said
TrustPower National Sales Manager, Chris O'Hara, "so we are continually seeking
to develop new initiatives like this one, that we can take to our customers to
increase the value to them of their relationship with TrustPower."
"Obviously there are many other potential uses for this billing solution," said
Brocker CEO, Michael Ridgway. "Not only utility companies, but any business with
a large customer base whom they bill regularly can make use of this innovative
way to add value to their customer relationships. It enables them to make many
kinds of special offers available to customers, such as this cell phone package,
in a way that is convenient for their customers and the business."
About TrustPower
TrustPower (http://www.trustpower.co.nz) is one of New Zealand's most dynamic
power supply companies. More than 60% New Zealand owned, TrustPower started
business in 1925 as the Tauranga Electric Power Board. The company now has
regional offices in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch and supplies power to
more than 230,000 homes and businesses throughout the country.
TrustPower is also a significant generator of power, operating 34 power
stations, including the largest wind farm in the Southern Hemisphere.
About Brocker Technology Group Ltd.
Brocker Technology Group Ltd. (http://www.brockergroup.com) is a global
innovator in business-to-business communications focusing on application
development, consulting services, online services, and vendor services
(Brocker's original technology distribution and service business). Brocker's e-
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communications products, collectively called EC Suite (Enterprise Communication
Suite), include Supercession http://www.supercession.com (e-business transaction
processing software), Bloodhound http://www.bloodhound.co.nz (one-number
communication & unified messaging software) and Powerphone (caller ID software
that also displays all of the client's transaction history). Brocker has
established partnering agreements with KPMG and PeopleSoft. Brocker's
Supercession is designed to integrate with PeopleSoft's non-internet based ERP
software.
"SAFE HARBOR" STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF
1995: The statements contained in this release which are not historical facts
are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in or
implied by forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include the
Company's entry into new commercial businesses; the risk of obtaining financing,
and other risks described in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission
filings. Product names mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or registered
trademarks of their respective companies.
The Toronto Stock Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the information
contained herein.
COMPANY CONTACT:
Nigel Murphy
Marketing Communications Manager
Brocker Technology Group
Tel: +64 9 374 2040
Email: [email protected]
