HDI Announces Two Support Centers Have Achieved HDI Support Center Certification

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — HDI, the world's largest membership association for IT service and support professionals and the premier certification body for the industry, today announced two corporate support centers have recently achieved HDI Support Center Certification (HDI SCC), the industry's leading certification program for support centers. The two companies that recently certified their centers include: American Honda Motor Co., Inc. of Torrance, Calif., and Verizon Wireless of Bedminster, N.J.

First introduced in 2000, the HDI Support Center Certification program is the only open industry standards program for the certification of support center operations. HDI Support Center Certification is designed to improve the effectiveness of the support services industry and support organizations by providing a reference quality model, industry standards that are recognized worldwide, and an accompanying certification program. Evaluation is based on 67 standards statements, each with four levels of maturity to evaluate the support center. In order to become an HDI Certified Support Center, a support center must complete a vigorous on-site audit and achieve minimum scores as defined by the standards committee. HDI Support Center Certification standards and statements can be found on the HDI website at http://www.thinkhdi.com/certification/sitecertification.  

"We are very happy to add these two support centers to our family of more than thirty HDI certified centers around the globe," said Ron Muns, founder and CEO of HDI. "Every center that achieves this important certification adds to the professionalism of our industry as a whole, benefiting customers, employers and employees."

"The main focus of the iN Support Center (iNSC) is to provide its valued dealers with consistent Best-in-Class iN business application support. By meeting the HDI requirements and becoming certified, the iNSC is positioned to continue providing timely, professional and quality support" commented Tim Walker, manager, Dealer System Support, American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

"The Verizon Wireless Information Technology Support Center is pleased to have achieved the certification and peer recognition of the prestigious Help Desk Institute," said Stephanie Pomykacz, staff vice president of Verizon Wireless Information Technology. "Verizon Wireless is dedicated to delivering world-class customer satisfaction to its growing base of more than 44 million customers, and our help desk is determined to provide that same high-level of service to its 50,000 internal customers as well as 20,000-plus business partners and vendors we support."

About the HDI SCC-certified Centers
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

The Interactive Network Support Center (iNSC) provides Best-in-Class business application and technical support to over 5,000 Auto, Motorcycle and Power Equipment dealers nationwide. Their support also extends to 78 distributors located in Latin American countries. While offering blended training solutions and multi-channel support services, the iNSC is dedicated to helping its dealers achieve optimum operational efficiencies and productivity while serving their consumers.

Honda is the world's preeminent engine-maker, building more than 19 million engines globally in 2004 for its diverse line-up of automobiles, motorcycles and ATVs, power products, marine engines and personal watercraft. Honda began operations in North America in 1959 with the establishment of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Honda's first overseas subsidiary. Using domestic and globally sourced parts, Honda began assembling motorcycles in America in 1979, with U.S. manufacturing starting in 1982. Honda now employs more than 26,000 Americans in the design, manufacture and marketing of its products in America. Honda currently builds products in 12 manufacturing plants in North America, with three major R&D centers in the U.S. www.honda.com.  

About Verizon Wireless
The Verizon Wireless IT Support Center (ITSC) is a round-the-clock, 365-day-a-year organization. Its customers are mostly internal Verizon Wireless personnel located throughout the country. The Support Center additionally provides select support to business partners and vendors.

Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 43.8 million voice and data customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com.  To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.  

About HDI
HDI is the world's largest membership association for IT service and support professionals and the premier certification body for the industry. Founded in 1989, HDI's mission is to lead and promote the IT service and support industry by empowering its members through access to timely and valuable industry information, including reports and publications; encouraging member collaboration through events and online forums; and establishing internationally recognized, standards-based industry certification and training programs. In addition to membership, certification, and training, HDI produces the highest-rated industry event, the HDI Annual Conference and Expo, for service and technical support professionals. HDI is member-focused, and remains vendor-neutral in its efforts to facilitate open, independent networking and information sharing within the association network. HDI has more than 7,500 members worldwide including many of the Fortune 500, and nearly 60 active local chapters in North America. For more information, visit http://www.thinkhdi.com.

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