APPLETON, Wis., June 16, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- ISIS (Instrument Security Identification Systems) (www.isisID.com), the premier provider of registry and recovery systems for musical instruments, today officially entered the retail music industry with its plans for distributing its technology through retail outlets nationwide. Dozens of retail stores have already begun using ISIS and are offering the registry and recovery service to their customers, and online registration is available via the ISIS Web site.
The ISIS business model evolved from the company CEO's personal experience and passion for the music industry. As a cellist for the Los Angeles Opera, Todd French understands the perceived irreplaceability of a musical instrument by professional musicians. Along with his responsibilities as CEO of ISIS and his role with the Los Angeles Opera, French is also founder and president of StringWorks, one of the world's leading violin-family retailers - providing unique, individually selected instruments to string players of all levels.
"With instrument theft on the rise and an extremely low recovery rate, the ISIS registration and recovery system is a ground-breaking solution that will increase a member's chance of recovering their stolen property," said French, CEO of ISIS. "ISIS is working to provide an innovative service to musicians as well as a value-add to retail music stores across the United States."
With the ISIS system, musicians of every level have the ability to register their instruments either through a participating dealer or by logging onto the ISIS Web site. For a minimal annual fee based on the monetary value of the instrument, registered owners enjoy peace of mind that their instrument has the ultimate element of protection. In the event a musical instrument registered in the ISIS system is reported lost or stolen, the secure database will be updated and the entire ISIS network will immediately have access to that information. When a registered instrument is recovered, a reward is paid by ISIS to both registering and recovering dealers.
Statistics show that more than one million instruments are stolen worldwide every year with less than two percent of those instruments recovered and returned to their rightful owners.
"ISIS will continue to work with retail music stores, resale outlets and law enforcement to reduce theft and increase an owner's chance of recovering what is rightfully theirs," continued French. "With the added benefits of the ISIS system, we are confident that instrument recovery will increase markedly."
Retail locations that have already begun using the ISIS system include Alamo Music Centers, Heid Music, Ken Stanton Music, StringWorks and Voigt Music.
Benefits to ISIS dealers include:
-- Innovative retail add-on portrays dealer as a forward-thinking
establishment concerned with the security of its clients
-- Four-tiered fee structure provides unique options to the
consumer based on the value of their instrument
-- No required costs associated with adopting ISIS
-- Increases employee incentives with commission as well as
rewards (revenue may be split between store and employee)
-- ISIS Instrument recoveries are celebrated by public
announcement, including commendation of dealers involved in
registration and reporting that resulted in instrument
recoveries.
Benefits to consumers include:
-- Potential of a 20-fold chance of recovery over traditional
means such as costly and time-consuming classified
advertisements, emails, or bulletin boards
-- Minimal annual fee guarantees record of instrument in
the ISIS database
-- Provides third-party endorsement of ownership, boosting
resale value
-- Convenient and easy to sign up
-- Peace of mind for the safe recovery and return of valuable
and treasured property
ISIS Management
As well as founding ISIS in 2003, French is the founder and president of StringWorks, one of the world's leading violin-family stringed instrument retailers. Prior to founding StringWorks and ISIS, French served as director and expert-in-charge of the Fine Musical Instrument department at Butterfields auction house where he directed all efforts for appraisals, cataloguing as well as the auctioning of fine instruments. French is involved with the Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation, a charity that provides instruments to schools in need, and the Merit School of Music, a non-profit organization that establishes music programs in economically disadvantaged cities.
About ISIS
ISIS is the premiere provider of registry and recovery systems for musical instruments offered through retail outlets as well as online. The company's solution provides third-party verification of ownership, as well as providing rewards for recovery of all ISIS-registered musical instruments of all families from woodwind and brass to plucked and bowed strings. For more information, please visit the company Web site at www.isisID.com.