Jeff Brunings, USWeb/CKS, 408/986-6721 or
[email protected]
USWeb/CKS Helps Walgreens Develop E-Commerce Strategy
Phased Approach To Debut Online Pharmacy This Fall
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - July 20, 1999 - USWeb/CKS (Nasdaq: USWB), the leader in strategic Internet and marketing communications services, today announced that USWeb/CKS and Walgreens (NYSE: WAG) are in the final development stages for completing the Walgreens online pharmacy.
Walgreens and USWeb/CKS have completed a detailed analysis of Walgreens' systems architecture, business processes, supply-chain dynamics and brand, and are currently implementing the online pharmacy, which is expected to debut this fall at www.walgreens.com. The online pharmacy will be followed by the Walgreens online drugstore, which will offer non-prescription items. The Walgreens online drugstore is scheduled for completion later this year.
"The ability for USWeb/CKS to quickly and efficiently integrate with Walgreens' resources and to develop our e-commerce strategies gives us a strategic advantage," said David Bernauer, president, Walgreens. "The competitive landscape for online pharmacies is heating up and Walgreens is determined to be the leading player. By capitalizing on our technical innovation, established track record, nationwide network of physical store locations and trusted brand name, Walgreens online pharmacy will strengthen our leadership position by offering new services for our patients."
Consisting of 75 professionals, the USWeb/CKS team working with Walgreens reflects expertise in the areas of consulting/strategy, branding and integrated marketing services, and technology. Specific project responsibilities include:
- E-commerce systems design and implementation
- Extensive integration between online systems and existing infrastructure, including business processes and systems, and mail order fulfillment
- Security policies, procedures and practices
- Creative design, user experience, and function
- Legacy data integration
- Brand strategy and development
"Walgreens has established tremendous recognition for applying technical innovation to build customer value," said Toby Corey, president, USWeb/CKS. "Continuing that momentum, USWeb/CKS and Walgreens expect to set an industry benchmark in online pharmacies by establishing new levels of service, convenience and responsiveness to the individual needs of pharmacy customers."
Over the past 18 months, Walgreens has built a 1,700-requests-per-day prescription refill business on the Internet. The Walgreens online pharmacy will enable patients to submit new and refill prescription orders and, unlike pure-play Internet pharmacies, have the flexibility of selecting either at-home delivery or pickup at any of Walgreens' 2,755 drugstores nationwide. Additionally, www.walgreens.com will provide patients with secure access to their own prescription history, which will capture all prescriptions filled by Walgreens, whether ordered online or in a Walgreens store.
About USWeb/CKS
USWeb/CKS (Nasdaq: USWB) is the leading professional services firm that works with companies to define strategies and implement innovative ways to build their businesses by combining the expertise of strategy, Internet technology and marketing communications. USWeb/CKS helps clients differentiate their products and services, strengthen customer relationships, leverage human capital and improve business efficiency in the digital economy. With more than 2,900 professionals, USWeb/CKS has helped hundreds of businesses advance their marketing communications programs as well as traditional IT and Internet systems - everything from brand development and advertising to business process automation and e-commerce solutions. The Company is headquartered in Santa Clara, California. Additional information about USWeb/CKS is available by calling 408/987-3200.
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" (as defined under securities law) regarding the relationship between USWeb/CKS and Walgreens, and the development of Walgreens online pharmacy. There can be no assurance that this project will be successful or that it will contribute positively to USWeb/CKS' results of operations. Further, this project does not necessarily indicate that the company will be able to secure additional similar projects. For additional information about factors that could affect the business of USWeb/CKS, see the documents filed by the company with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.