Melinda Mattei, USWeb/CKS, 650/558-0890
[email protected]
USWeb/CKS Introduces iAMcommerce � New Managed Service Rapidly Delivers Fully Customized E-Commerce Solutions
First iAMsystem offering combines Managed Services with custom consulting to deliver �no compromise� e-Commerce solution
San Francisco - December 9, 1999 - USWeb/CKS (Nasdaq: USWB), the leader in Internet professional services, today introduced the Internet Application Manager for e-Commerce (iAMcommerce�) powered by OneSoft�. iAMcommerce is a managed application service that also includes the full spectrum of USWeb/CKS Internet professional services, from strategic consulting and branding to custom technology integration. Because it is a combined offering, USWeb/CKS is able to quickly deliver a flexible, customizable, �concept-to-cash� e-Commerce solution to its clients.
iAMcommerce is the first offering in the USWeb/CKS Internet Application Management System, or iAMsystem� family of services. iAMsystem is a set of managed business applications and services that is being developed and will be deployed and managed on the USWeb/CKS Internet framework, or iFrame�. By deploying and managing iAMcommerce and other iAMsystem services on iFrame, USWeb/CKS can integrate and scale its clients� e-Commerce solutions to adapt to business change and growth, thereby maximizing recurring Time-to-Value.
�The incredible pace of change is creating the need for software as a service,� said Robert Shaw, CEO of USWeb/CKS. �Companies need to focus on staying competitive, not trying to maintain a complex IT infrastructure. Our ability to deliver services that encompass both managed application services and custom consulting gives our customers the best of both worlds � solutions that conserve time and resources, but provide the competitive advantages of custom-built solutions. This is the essence of Time-to-Value � and why USWeb/CKS is the leader in Internet professional services.�
�With iAMcommerce powered by OneSoft, companies no longer have to compromise customization for speed-to-market,� said Alex Hawkinson, executive vice president, USWeb/CKS Managed Services. �Many e-Commerce solutions and services on the market today, whether custom-built or packaged, can be inflexible, leaving companies with a risk of obsolescence only months after they are implemented. In contrast, we expect iAMcommerce solutions to be rapidly implemented, easily adapt to changing business models, enable a broad range of features to be added over time, and accommodate increasing levels of consumer traffic.�
iAMcommerce Service Engine � Plugging Business into e-Commerce
Built on iFrame, the iAMcommerce service engine consists of all the hardware and software necessary, including OneSoft�s OneCommerce� as the core Internet commerce application, to allow companies to plug into a scalable, extensible concept-to-cash e-Commerce solution. By delivering software as a service, iAMcommerce eliminates the expensive start-up costs of building and managing a solution internally. Companies that plug into iAMcommerce can also receive the benefits of USWeb/CKS� customized professional services offerings including strategic consulting, branding, technology consulting and integration. This enables USWeb/CKS and their clients to spend more time on initiatives that create market differentiation and less time on building and maintaining the basic e-Commerce platform.
iAMcommerce � Delivering �Future-Ready� e-Commerce
Built on a standardized architecture, iAMcommerce offers a flexible and extensible solution that will easily plug into other iAMsystem applications, including those now in development for Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and BackOffice, providing suites of applications that will work together to address growing customer needs. In addition, iAMcommerce powered by OneSoft delivers real-time scalability, so companies don�t have to build a devoted infrastructure to handle spikes in demand. By delivering iAMcommerce on iFrame, USWeb/CKS is able to leverage its substantial infrastructure to scale as needed to accommodate tens or millions of Web consumers, enabling 24x7x365 operations, even during the holidays. This kind of �success-based provisioning� means that as a business grows, so does its e-Commerce solution � in real-time. It also delivers cost-savings, as iAMcommerce customers are charged only for actual usage.
The unique modular architecture of iAMcommerce can also expand to encompass new ways of reaching customers and be reconfigured to manage individual customers and groups of customers in many different ways. With iAMcommerce, there are no standard business models to which a company�s e-Commerce strategy must conform; companies are free to reach and serve customers in any way they choose. And all of these changes can be made at any time, without having to re-build the entire system.
�iAMcommerce powered by OneSoft creates a new standard in the marketplace, reducing Time-to-Value for USWeb/CKS customers. OneSoft's market leading enterprise-class software enables Extensible Internet Commerce, allowing businesses to scale and extend their operations at Internet speeds,� said Jim MacIntyre, chairman and CEO, OneSoft Corporation.
iAMcommerce � True Personalized Online Marketing
iAMcommerce powered by OneSoft delivers unique personalized marketing capabilities that profile customer behavior and enable dynamic content presentation based on customer preferences. Using a sophisticated customer profiling method, iAMcommerce not only captures purchase information, but collects �affinity� scores that quantify customer preferences as they browse through the site and score products and services that attract their attention. iAMcommerce powered by OneSoft enables easy integration of commerce, content and community into an e-Commerce site. By adding these services, companies can deliver useful, compelling content to consumers that helps build customer loyalty.
Standards-based Architecture Ensures Flexibility Key to iAMcommerce�s flexibility is its underlying iFrame architecture. iFrame is based on an open industry standard, Extensible Markup Language (XML), widely regarded as an important data interchange format for the Web. This XML foundation facilitates integration of iAMcommerce with existing systems and new application components. USWeb/CKS believes that XML will play a critical role in the future of digital business because it enables integration across industries and between business systems, regardless of platform, operating system or underlying technology.
iFrame � the Architecture for E-Success�
USWeb/CKS� iFrame is a standardized architecture for developing, deploying and managing all iAMsystem application services. iFrame�s combination of standards, tools, application components and methodologies enables iAMsystem applications to integrate seamlessly together. Deployed and managed in USWeb/CKS� state-of-the art data centers, iFrame provides a reliable, securely managed environment for iAMsystem services. Its flexible, scalable design delivers a long-term, sustainable platform for growth that helps ensure E-Success.
iFrame enables USWeb/CKS Managed Services to proactively monitor and manage all iAMsystem resources, from the network infrastructure and server, all the way to the application layer. Because of this, USWeb/CKS is able to monitor and resolve technical issues in real-time and deliver competitive service level agreements (SLAs) that provide superior availability of iAMsystem services.
In addition, iFrame enables companies that implement iAMsystems to become part of Digital Value Networks (DVNs), creating entirely new business relationships and economies online. DVNs will use industry-standard XML schemas to seamlessly exchange information between software applications, integrate business processes, and conduct business over the Internet with trading partners and customers.
More information about iAMcommerce can be found in the related press release issued today titled, �USWeb/CKS Selects OneSoft�s OneCommerce as Core Application for iAMcommerce Service.�
Pricing, Availability and Support
iAMcommerce powered by OneSoft is available immediately. Pricing is a combination of project- and monthly subscription-based fees. Initial customization and subsequent feature enhancements are priced on a per-project basis. The monthly subscription fee is calculated on a per-processor basis and includes: the OneCommerce application and upgrades, hardware, maintenance and support, and application hosting and management. Each client�s monthly fee is determined by a formula that analyzes site volume (visitors, transactions, etc.) and the processing power required to manage that volume each month.
USWeb/CKS Managed Services provides a single point of contact for all iAMcommerce customer support requests � from training and help-desk inquiries to additional custom design and integration. For more information, contact USWeb/CKS at 703/-435- 7799 x 291 or [email protected].
About USWeb/CKS
USWeb/CKS (Nasdaq: USWB) seeks to transform businesses in the digital economy and create sustainable market leadership for its clients. As the leading Internet professional services firm, USWeb/CKS has created a new standard for success in the digital economy � Time-to-Value. Time-to-Value means USWeb/CKS applies its extensive insight, experience and scale to deliver breakthrough results quickly. The Company is headquartered in San Francisco, California, with more than 4,000 professionals in 13 countries around the world. Additional information about USWeb/CKS is available by calling 415/284-7070.
This press release contains �forward-looking statements� (as defined under securities laws) regarding the expected performance and capabilities of iAMcommerce, iAMsystem and iFrame, including the benefits of these products and services to our clients. Our actual results, and the results of our clients, may differ materially and adversely from those discussed in this press release. Key factors that could cause such a difference include, without limitation, risks associated with the introduction of new product and service offerings and technical challenges associated with the implementation of such offerings. For additional factors that may affect our business, see the documents filed by us with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
OneSoft, the OneSoft logo and all OneSoft product names are trademarks of the OneSoft corporation. USWeb/CKS, the USWeb/CKS logo, iFrame, iAMsystem, iAMcommerce and E-Success are trademarks of USWeb Corporation in the U.S. and certain other countries.