The New Release, Inc. Engages R7 Solutions for Information Technology Consulting

Posted in Client News

HOUSTON, TX, February 12, 2005 – R7 Solutions announced today that it has been engaged by rapidly expanding DVD rental kiosk company The New Release, Inc. (TNR) to provide comprehensive outsourced hardware vendor relations, software analysis and development, and overall information technology architecture and consulting services. Based in Houston, Texas and with offices in Hollywood, California, TNR is rolling out thousands of new kiosks in grocery stores across the country and going head-to-head against the big players in the DVD rental industry.

R7 Solutions began working with the company to help in the procurement and management process for the company’s thousands of DVD kiosks. The machines, manufactured in Italy by a leading European kiosk vendor, needed a technical consultant who spoke Italian in order to expedite delivery and configuration. R7 Solutions filled the gap, providing a senior software architect and project manager who had both two degrees in computer science from Rice University and was fluent in Italian. The relationship grew from there.

The latest announced engagement will include provision of consulting services to configure and deploy new machines, to develop integrated hardware and software management solutions for the growing network of machines, integration of wireless commerce systems, centralized management systems, database synchronization, anti-fraud systems, and a powerful executive reporting solution.

“We’re very pleased that we were in the right place at the right time with the right people to help TNR accelerate their growth and smooth out the rough technical patches in their business plan. As a comprehensive outsourced technical consulting firm and advisory to TNR, we are providing a great range of services and are striving to be on call at a moment’s notice to ensure the client’s success,” said K. Lawrence Epperson, CEO of R7 Solutions.

“That means keeping the bottom line in focus while making technical decisions, while also pushing for the development of reporting tools and networked management systems that we’ve seen providing big competitive advantages to our enterprise clients. TNR is the perfect client for these innovative solutions, and as an ambitious startup, they’re not afraid to experiment in order to push their growth envelope,” said Epperson

About The New Release

Houston-based New Release operates 1,150 automated kiosks stationed in grocery stores in 13 states. Each machine holds about 1,000 discs and 200 to 250 titles with rentals for just $1 a day. Houstonian John Osborne started the company in 2002 after being inspired by similar machines in Europe. Kroger plans to install additional TNR automated DVD rental kiosks at 1,300 locations across the country. Deployment of the kiosks under the new Kroger agreement is set to begin immediately and is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2007.

CEO Richard Cohen, a former Disney and MGM studio executive, says the company plans to have 5,000 kiosks in supermarkets across the country by the end of 2008. TNR currently serves 200,000 customers monthly across more than 600 locations in several grocery chains, including A&P, Food Lion, HEB, Kroger/King Soopers, Publix, Roundy’s/Pick ‘n Save, Safeway/Randall’s, and Spartan/Family Fare.

About R7 Solutions
R7 Solutions develops and implements award-winning enterprise software for the energy, transportation, government and real estate industries. The company’s flagship product is GeoRoom, the real-time web-based map and data integration suite. Founded in 2001, the company has unique expertise in geographic information systems, enterprise integration of geospatial data, document management and workflow systems. For more information, please contact R7 Solutions at 713.529.3300 or via e-mail.