HiWAAY: Information/Internet Services

Idea-Works Joins the HiWAAY Network

Birmingham, Ala. (January 4, 2000) - Internet Service Provider, HiWAAY Information Services of Huntsville, Ala., announces the acquisition of Idea-Works, LLC of Birmingham, Ala. HiWAAY exclusively serves the state of Alabama with both business and residential Internet service. The acquisition is a part of HiWAAY's continued growth strategy to provide the state with a stronger Internet network to support economic development.

Idea-Works was formed from the merger of Quick Link, Inc. and Scott Network Services in April 1999. Derric Scott, Idea-Works partner and former president of Scott Network Services, explains the acquisition from Idea-Works' viewpoint; "It just makes sense. HiWAAY is a local ISP with substantial resources to provide a full range of Internet-related services to our customers. It's a good marriage for both of us."

According to Diane Shulman, Idea-Works partner and former CEO of Quick Link, "HiWAAY is a stable company with a strong commitment to customer service. That's important to us in maintaining our customer base. I have complete confidence in our relationship."

Shulman and Scott, as well as others from the Idea-Works staff will join HiWAAY's team. "Both Diane and Derric bring special talents to the HiWAAY team. We're excited that they've decided to stay with the company after the transition," said HiWAAY's Chief Administrative Officer Redge Swing.

Located in Homewood, Ala., HiWAAY's Birmingham office is the local point of contact for Central Alabama. Swing also said, "The Birmingham and Huntsville staff of HiWAAY will work closely together with our new team members from Idea-Works to provide a seamless transition for our new customers."

Idea-Works customers will now have access to a more powerful network and a greater variety of service options. HiWAAY recently announced the expansion of their service area to include most of the state of Alabama. This has included building out three dedicated T-3 lines connecting HiWAAY directly to the Internet core. According to Mark Derrick, HiWAAY's network architect and Chief Technical Officer, "HiWAAY is the state's only triple-homed T-3 provider. In addition, HiWAAY's own private ATM-based T-3 backbone runs directly between Huntsville, Birmingham and Montgomery, bringing its benefits to most of the state."

Combined from Birmingham's oldest Internet companies, Quick Link and ScottNet, Idea-Works provided web development and hosting, as well as connectivity services including ADSL. The addition of Idea-Works represents about a 7-percent growth factor for HiWAAY.

HiWAAY Information Services is a privately owned, full-service Internet Service Provider established in Huntsville, Ala. in 1994 to serve the state with a full range of both residential and corporate Internet services which include dial-up and dedicated Internet access, web site hosting, co-location and web site design and marketing services. For more information about HiWAAY, you may visit the HiWAAY web site at www.hiwaay.net, or call 205/879-9115.