NETSCAPE ANNOUNCES CHANNEL EXPANSION AND TRAINING PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT ENTERPRISE CUSTOMERS
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (November 11, 1996) -- Complementing its recent introduction of new products for the enterprise market, Netscape Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: NSCP) today announced a series of relationships and training programs designed to increase its support for enterprise customers. Netscape and Hewlett-Packard Company (HP) announced that HP will support Netscape products worldwide and will begin to offer training courses on Netscape servers, starting in December.
Expanding its reach into the value-added reseller (VAR) channel, Netscape also appointed Tech Data as a Netscape distributor. Tech Data, a leader in the distribution of personal computer products, joins Ingram Micro and Access Graphics and together they reach over 50,000 VARs. Netscape also launched a corporate reseller program, announcing it has signed agreements with ASAP Software Express, Softmart, Software Spectrum and Stream International, some of the largest U.S. corporate resellers. The corporate reseller program is designed to increase Netscape's reach into Fortune 500 companies and facilitate corporate purchasing by providing buyers with a single centralized purchasing source.
In conjunction with its channel expansion program, Netscape is also rolling out training seminars to educate VARs on the technology and business benefits of Intranets. The seminar series, entitled "Tools for Success," is already underway in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia and Latin America. Expected to reach over 3,000 people, representing the VAR channel worldwide, by the end of the year, the program will train attendees in selling, designing, configuring and deploying corporate Intranets. Participants are learning how Netscape's expanded product line supports the needs of the corporate market and how Netscape software-based Intranets can address issues of communication, collaboration and information sharing.
"Netscape has been aggressively growing its channel and building programs that help make that channel more effective and rapidly increase its reach," said John Hahn, vice president of channel programs at Netscape. "Through our work with partners of the caliber of HP and with the more than 70 OEMs who sell and support Netscape products, we are able to provide our customers with service and tools that go well beyond the normal reach of a company of Netscape's age and size. These relationships, coupled with products designed specifically for an Internet or Intranet environment, give us a remarkable edge on meeting corporate needs."
Working in conjunction with its partner HP, Netscape has co-developed two extensive programs which leverage HP's worldwide reach and sophisticated support and training organizations. HP has been officially appointed a Netscape service provider and will provide worldwide service on Netscape products, both remotely and on-site, seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Support will be cross-platform, allowing customers to continue to benefit from the wide variety of platforms on which Netscape products are available. As the first Netscape-authorized worldwide training provider, HP will also begin a series of courses on Netscape Internet Server Administration in December. Courses will be offered in nine U.S. locations as well as France, Germany, Japan and the United Kingdom.
Through its agreement with Tech Data, Netscape products will be available to Tech Data's more than 40,000 value-added resellers and retail dealers throughout the United States. In addition to distributing products Tech Data will provide pre-sale and post-sale training, service and support.
"Netscape is a significant addition to our product offering," said Scott Maentz, vice president of software product marketing. "Netscape products are highly popular in both business and consumer environments and the channel has been eager to include them in its Internet and Intranet strategy. Our relationship with Netscape assures resellers and retailers of quick access to inventory backed by expert pre-and post-sales product support."
The Netscape channel program members offer support ranging from Internet and Intranet server configuration, LAN and WAN connectivity and database to integration to full-blown infrastructure development and consulting services offered by program members such as EDS and Andersen Consulting.
Through its OEM program Netscape works with over 70 companies including HP, IBM, Informix, Silicon Graphics and Sun Microsystems. In addition to expanding Netscape's reach through their sales teams, these companies bundle and support Netscape software as part of their Internet and Intranet solutions.
Netscape Communications Corporation is a leading provider of open software for linking people and information over enterprise networks and the Internet. The company offers a full line of clients, servers, development tools and commercial applications to create a complete platform for next-generation, live online applications. Traded on NASDAQ under the symbol "NSCP," Netscape Communications Corporation is based in Mountain View, California.
Additional information on Netscape Communications Corporation is available on the Internet at http://home.netscape.com, by sending email to info@netscape.com or by calling 415/937-2555 (corporations) or 415/937-3777 (individuals).
Netscape Communications, the Netscape Communications logo and Netscape are trademarks of Netscape Communications Corporation. All other product names are trademarks of their respective companies.