iDirect Is First Satcom Technology Provider To Be Awarded Tl 9000-Hv Quality Management System Certification

With designation, iDirect achieves highest quality benchmark for global telecom industry

Herndon, Va., August 2008 - VT iDirect, Inc. (iDirect), a subsidiary of VT Systems Inc (VT Systems), today announced that it has been awarded the global telecommunications industry’s prestigious TL 9000-HV Quality Management System certification. The award assures that iDirect’s hardware and customer service meet a rigorous set of best practices, methods and processes governing the manufacture, test, delivery, installation, and maintenance of telecommunications products and services. iDirect is a world leader in satellite-based IP communications technology.


The TL 9000 Quality Management System was created by the QuEST Forum, an independent association of telecommunications industry leaders, to establish and maintain universal product quality requirements for the worldwide telecommunications industry that improve on ISO 9001 standards. The certification is gaining increasing importance as telecommunications networks integrate a widening set of diverse products to meet growing demands for constant connectivity.


“iDirect’s satellite technology plays a pivotal role in major IP networks managed by the world’s leading network operators and terrestrial carriers. Being TL 9000 compliant is fast becoming a non-negotiable requirement for doing business with telecommunications companies. For iDirect, it’s now a key differentiator and a necessary step to securing the continued confidence and business of telecom leaders.”


David BETTINGER
Chief Technology Officer, iDirect

The TL 9000 certification concluded an exhaustive multi-year review of iDirect’s manufacturing and service operations, quality controls and measurement systems. The assessment confirmed an extensive list of business performance achievements such as:


* Consistently outstanding customer satisfaction ratings, including a rating of 90.2 for 2008 year to date
* An iNFINITI product return rate of only 0.6 percent over the past 12 months
* A rapid product repair and replacement rate, including a mean time of 12.4 days for 2008 year to date

“At iDirect, we have always taken extra measures to deliver a superior product and vigilant customer service. The TL 9000 certification is proof of the success of our efforts, and a commitment to continually improve our operations to meet the highest standards in the world.”


~Rock ARKIE
Senior Vice President of Operations, iDirect

As a TL 9000 registered company, iDirect undergoes an audit every six months and publishes a monthly performance report that will be benchmarked against other TL 9000 companies.


TL 9000 is regarded as one of the most comprehensive and stringent quality management systems, and one of the most difficult to achieve. TL 9000 advances ISO 9001 standards by adding an additional 90 processes and methods to improve such things as hardware/software testing, ongoing product testing, customer support processes and communication methods, and product/process performance measurements. The goal is to create a consistent set of quality system requirements that apply to the global telecom industry. Today there are approximately 660 TL 9000 registered companies worldwide.