[August 12, 2014]

Apella Group helps Nutrisystem Achieve Lower Telecom Costs While Also Serving as a Trusted Technology Advisor

Nutrisystem (NASDAQ: NTRI), a leading provider of weight management products and services, retained The Apella Group, a strategy consulting firm based out of Radnor, Pennsylvania, several years ago to improve their telecom expense management program.

When searching for a telecom expense management provider, Nutrisystem CIO, Stan Payson evaluated the TEM marketplace but ultimately felt "Apella Group, as compared to their peers, had a better offering at a better price." Additionally added Payson, "From a pure cost to service standpoint, they were better -- and what appeared to drive that was two things. The automation of reporting and industry cost comparisons. Both helped us better understand our cost structure." Apella Group provides Nutrisystem with an extremely expansive reporting structure allowing Payson and his team to manage both mobile expenses and landline expenses within the same TEM module. "We receive more than twenty reports each month that provide a good look at cost per minute, cost per call, average length per call, and many other key metrics, from a call center standpoint, in which I'm most interested," stated Payson. These customized reports were all created per Payson's request, upon engagement launch.

In addition to being a telecom expense management partner for Nutrisystem, Apella Group has also served as a trusted technology advisor for the past few years. "Aside from adding a great value at a great price, they have gone above and beyond in several instances, providing additional services. They are always there when I reach out to them to give us a hand with anything that we may need," added Payson. An example of this support came when Nutrisystem was evaluating hosting options. "The Apella team helped us find alternative partners for data hosting services and most recently helped us in developing an RFP for our phone services," Payson explained.

In the end, when asked about Apella's value as it relates to other CIO's, Payso stated: "I think the answer is a matter of scale. If you're a small company and your telecom bills aren't very large, you may be able to manage independently. But at our scale, and in dealing with 800 numbers, external rates from various states, zip codes, and the complexity of the billing system with the AT&Ts of the world, it can be too much. You can't audit that yourself and you're probably giving dollars away if you're not keeping an eye on that."

About Apella Group

Apella Group is an experienced strategy consulting firm with extensive knowledge around technology, business operations, and strategic sourcing best practices. They have successfully completed dozens of engagements over the last 10 years and have delivered millions of dollars in value. Apella's recommendations are fact driven and account for clients' total cost of ownership, service needs, and long standing relationships. Apella Group takes a strategic approach towards uncovering the areas within businesses that need improvement and then develop practical, implementable recommendations. For more information, please visit www.apellagroup.com.

About Nutrisystem, Inc.

Nutrisystem, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTRI) is a leading provider of weight loss solutions and weight-related products and services including its structured food delivery program Nutrisystem® My Way® and its new digital platform NuMi™ by Nutrisystem. Nutrisystem has helped consumers lose weight for more than 40 years by providing quality foods and a nutritionally balanced meal program. Nutrisystem® meal plans feature more than 150 menu options, along with counseling options from trained weight-loss coaches, registered dietitians and certified diabetes educators. Customers are provided further support from the online community, tools, trackers, mobile apps and more. Nutrisystem® plans are consistent with national guidelines for dietary intake meeting targets for fat, sodium, sugar, cholesterol, fiber and physical activity. Additionally, plans can be customized to specific dietary needs and preferences including the Nutrisystem® D® program for people with diabetes or those at risk for type 2 diabetes. Healthcare professionals may learn more about the programs by visiting www.nutrisystem.com/hcp. Nutrisystem® weight loss plans are available directly to consumers through www.nutrisystem.com, by phone (1-800-435-4074) and at select retailers. The NuMi multi-platform system and downloadable App can be found at http://www.numi.com.

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