imagistic Launches Next Generation of its R.I.C.S. Intranet and Document Management System

Turn-key Intranet Package Helps Multi-Venue Restaurants Save Money and Time While Enhancing Communication

VENICE, CALIFORNIA - May 9, 2002 - Imagistic, an Internet services company that specializes in Web application development, has released an upgraded version of its intranet and document management software product, RICS (Restaurant/Retail Information and Communication System). A turn-key intranet solution, RICS was developed specifically for multi-venue restaurants and provides a pathway for improved efficiency, increased staff collaboration, better corporate communication and quantifiable cost savings.

RICS provides companies with a central repository for pertinent company information, news, activities, policies and training materials and can easily be branded with a client's identity. Typically-distributed paper documents such as recipes, training manuals, human resources policies, inventory lists and sales reports can be made immediately available to on-site managers and employees, thus reducing lag time and increasing productivity. In addition, the resulting reduction in paper hard costs and associated expenses such as printing, binding, and shipping provides a significant cost savings.

"The RICS Intranet package was a perfect match for Shari's needs," said Ron McCauley, vice president and chief information officer, Shari's Management Corporation. "Not only was it easy to integrate and learn, but more importantly, it saved us significant dollars on in-house development costs while streamlining and improving the communications process between our headquarters and the field. In fact, we were able to begin publishing documents and providing information to the field within days of the install, so we started saving time and money on paper, printing and postage right away."

RICS includes full content search capabilities and allows users to upload and download many types of documents, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Adobe PDF, image files and reports. The system includes a powerful and intuitive content management interface that requires little or no training to use.

A hierarchical permissions system allows the intranet system administrator to set the level of access for any given user. Designated users may be given limited access to some parts of the system and only specified documents and information will be viewable.

The cost of the system includes company branding and customization, installation on a specified client controlled server, basic training for using the system, and six months of maintenance/support. Founded in 1997, Imagistic (www.imagistic.com) is an Internet services company that specializes in Web application development. The company has developed numerous Web-based applications for such clients as California Pizza Kitchen, Bank of America, Shari's Restaurants, UCLA, CarsDirect.com, Southern Poverty Law Center and Estee-Lauder. Imagistic is based in Venice, California and works with local and remote clients in all businesses and industries.