Kelly Registration Systems Selects Digex to Manage e-Gov Portal

HostReview.com
Monday, November 25, 2002; 12:00 AM

LAUREL, Md., Nov 25, 2002 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Digex, Incorporated (DIGX) , a leading provider of managed Web and application hosting services, today announced that Kelly Registration Systems, Inc. (KRS), a developer of PC and Internet based software for manufacturers and distributors of regulated products, as well as for licensing and registration programs at state departments of agriculture, has selected Digex to host all of its websites, and the associations that it supports.

KRS provides a comprehensive e-government connection between state departments of agriculture, the regulated business community and the consumers that ultimately use the products and services approved for use in each state. The company has created and maintains web-based services that automate the many regulatory functions within the industry including product registrations and renewals, dealer and applicator licenses, sales and use reporting, and the filing of labels and Material Safety Data Sheets.

KRS has agreements with over 35 state departments of agriculture to host and maintain certain parts of their databases to help facilitate an e- government solution for the agricultural community. This provides a faster, more efficient and less expensive way to do business for both the companies and state governments. KRS hopes to eventually provide their online services to the agriculture departments of all 50 states.

KRS also develops, maintains and hosts websites for companies and agencies such as National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (http://www.nasda.org), Association of Structural Pest Control Regulatory Officials (http://www.aspcro.org), and the Georgia Structural Pest Control Commission (http://www.kellysolutions.com/ga/gspcc). These and many other companies are able to use data from the KRS central database through direct connection to the database or XML-based web-services.

Digex is managing the entire application on a secure, reliable and scalable environment. The KRS platform is built on a mutiserver Windows 2000 environment with a SQL Server 2000 database. By taking advantage of Digex's e-Enablement Solution for effective online information management, KRS will be able to cost-effectively handle the requirements of all 50 states as well as launch microsites where participating companies will be able to sell and give information on a variety of products. Like all Digex managed hosting solutions, the platform is supported by the unrivaled reach, performance and reliability of WorldCom's (WCOEQ) facilities-based UUNET global IP network.

"State agriculture departments and regulated businesses depend on us to provide an efficient e-government option, and having an available, secure and reliable portal is a large part of our commitment," said Stuart Edmondson, CTO of Kelly Registration Systems. "We chose Digex based on its security, flexibility, 24x7 operations and ability to rapidly scale."

"KRS has interests spread out across most of the United States that they manage on behalf of their participants, so security, accessibility and reliability are critical," said John Callari, senior vice president of sales & marketing for Digex. "KRS demonstrates the efficiency of the Internet for many different business and government interactions. Digex will help ensure the success of KRS initiatives as they expand the reach of viable, effective e-gov options."

About Kelly Registration Systems, Inc.

Kelly Registration Systems, Inc., based in Covington, Georgia, provides e- Government solutions for State Departments of Agriculture and the businesses and industries they regulate. The site contains state specific data on pesticides, feeds, seeds, fertilizers, dealer and applicator licenses, animal remedies and other regulated products and services. Their new web site, http://www.KRSNetwork.com, will also allow access to the public to search for useful information to help with everyday questions and problems in a global market place. Click here to visit http://www.kellysolutions.com.

About Digex

Digex is a leading provider of managed Web and application hosting services. Digex customers, from mainstream enterprise corporations to Internet-based businesses, leverage Digex's services to deploy secure, scaleable, high performance e-Enablement, Commerce and Enterprise IT business solutions. Additional information on Digex is available at http://www.digex.com.

About the WorldCom-Digex Affiliation

The WorldCom-Digex affiliation strategically combines the custom managed Web and application hosting expertise of Digex with the shared, dedicated and colocation hosting technologies of WorldCom to offer businesses of all sizes the full continuum of secure, dependable hosting services. Powered by the reach and reliability of the facilities-based WorldCom global network, the WorldCom-Digex affiliation rapidly delivers scalable, high-availability outsourced solutions that enable companies throughout North America, Europe and Asia to better focus on their core business.