Software Reduces PC Downtime, Tech Support Costs and Unnecessary Repairs
BROOMFIELD, Colo., June 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Distinctive Technologies, a
provider of Internet and technology products for PC users, today announced the
general availability of PC Pinpoint, a Web or server-based computer diagnosis
and repair program for Windows-based computers. The PC Pinpoint software
delivers advanced, automated PC diagnosis and repair options to business and
home computer users, providing significant time and technical support cost
savings.
Created to save PC users and IT departments from downtime caused by the
most common computer problems, in addition to the mundane task of general
computer diagnosis and repair, PC Pinpoint addresses both hardware and
software problems. PC Pinpoint integrates:
-- Call center/ACD functionality
-- Self support tutorials
-- Live Web support
-- Automated computer repair
-- Extensive knowledge base
PC Pinpoint works by listing an inventory of a system's components and
then systematically providing testing and diagnosis of each component. Based
on these results, PC Pinpoint uses the information from its extensive database
to initiate automated repair actions, display self-help tutorials and provide
suggested maintenance to optimize the performance of the computer.
The problem diagnosis is performed by an end user prior to contacting
technical support, thus allowing IT departments and call centers to spend
their resources addressing more complex computer issues. What is more,
if/when the user brings in technical support, PC Pinpoint has already
identified the problem(s), thereby arming technical support immediately with
the necessary information to correct the problem. PC Pinpoint is safe and
simple to use, collecting only computer data -- not personal data -- to run
its diagnostics.
"Corporations, small businesses and home users are wasting millions of
dollars on downtime and technical support due to computer malfunctions caused
by the common issues such as corrupted files or drivers, software conflicts or
lack of necessary maintenance," said Bob Wing, chairman and CEO of Distinctive
Technologies. "For a business, the cost of employee PC downtime is even
greater than the hard costs of IT time and labor. We developed PC Pinpoint to
remedy these general computer problems before the end user has to call
technical support for assistance."
Recent industry studies identify the extent of routine computer
malfunctions. The PCWorld.com "Reliability and Service" survey indicated that
22 percent of computers failed last year. This accounts for the finding that
computer reliability declined from 72 percent (1999) to 67 percent (2000).
Following the PCWorld.com survey, Gartner Dataquest surveyed 297 IT managers
responsible for support. Respondents were asked to rate and list, by
frequency, the root causes for unscheduled PC downtime. Results of the survey
attributed 25 percent to hardware failures, 25 percent to software issues and
15 percent to human error. According to Distinctive Technologies findings, PC
Pinpoint would remedy 65 percent of the support problems in the survey.
Supporting this conclusion, Gartner Group research shows that by using an
e-service solution call volumes for technical support would drop between
15 percent and 45 percent. Further, according to IDC, a self-initiated
program would drastically reduce the cost of support. The IDC report
indicated that the average tech support call requiring technical intervention
costs $25.00 per incident, while a transaction through a self-support model
reduces the cost to $3.00 per incident.
Using a thin communication client, PC Pinpoint downloads test commands and
forwards results to its patent-pending adaptive database for interpretation.
When results are identified, authorized fixes are automatically initiated,
dispatched and applied to the PC. The adaptive database also offers self-help
and can redirect the users to the manufacturers' product-specific Web site for
additional support.
In the final phase of the diagnosis, PC Pinpoint performs preventive
maintenance at the discretion of the user. In addition, the program gives
users an option to leave the thin client in the background to monitor future
performance of the system. PC Pinpoint can then continue to conduct a system
search, identifying and rectifying potential future problems, thus ensuring
the performance of the PC moving forward. If technical support is necessary,
Distinctive Technologies provides both online and phone support for users of
PC Pinpoint to ensure complete problem resolution.
Distinctive Technologies developed PC Pinpoint as a multi-use utility for
corporate IT departments, IT support companies and single users. The product
is available in single use mode via the Web at http://www.pcpinpoint.com. The
product is also available for license by IT and support organizations that
want to customize and brand it for their own use. PC PINPOINT is available
now and currently supports Windows 9X, 2000 platforms, and ME with additional
platforms available later this year. The cost for the product is $14.95 per
single use or as a per seat licensing fee for support organizations. Seat
pricing is based on volume.
About Distinctive Technologies
Distinctive Technologies provides Internet and technology tools for PC
users to reduce PC downtime, tech support costs and unnecessary repairs.
Distinctive's solutions ensure significant time and technical support cost
savings for business and home computer users. Distinctive's first product, PC
Pinpoint, delivers advanced PC diagnosis and repair options. PC Pinpoint has
been in beta for more than 4 months and has had more than 2,000 users. The
privately held, Colorado based company was founded in 1996 by a management
team with a rich heritage in the mass storage, component repair, software
development and support industry. To download a free copy of PC Pinpoint for
a limited time, visit http://www.pcpinpoint.com or call 303/439-8650 for more
information.
SOURCE Distinctive Technologies
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Related links:
http://www.pcpinpoint.com
CONTACT:
Bob Wing of Distinctive Technologies,
303-439-8650 ext. 127, bwing@pcperipherals.com; or Kelly Major of
BRW LeGrand (PR), cell, 720-480-4173, kmajor@brwlegrand.com, for
Distinctive Technologies
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