MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (September 16, 1997) -- Netscape Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: NSCP) today announced it is working with leading sales force automation vendors to deliver next-generation tools for automating and managing customer sales environments. These vendors are integrating Netscape ONE open network environment technologies, Netscape Communicator client software and Netscape SuiteSpot server software into their solutions to enable them to run in a multiplatform environment across the Internet, Intranets and Extranets. Sales force automation solutions enable sales, marketing and support personnel to access and analyze up-to-date customer, pricing, product and competitive information in order to quickly respond to customer needs. They also enable a company's customers to experience faster order turnaround, submit orders online and view Web-based product information and demonstrations.
Companies working with Netscape include Applix, Aurum, Baystone, Saratoga Systems, Scopus, Vantive and Versatility. Netscape is also working with leading sales force automation systems integrators, sales tools, and technology providers including Deloitte & Touche, Trilogy and FirstFloor. By supporting Netscape client-server products and Netscape ONE technologies, these vendors provide customers with enterprise-wide sales applications across a multiplatform, encrypted, reliable and scaleable Web environment. According to market research from The Yankee Group, sales force automation spending is predicted to reach $820 million for 1997 and $2.32 billion by the year 2000. "Providing salespeople and customers with efficient access to up-to-date information about products and services is a critical factor in the success of today's sales organizations," said Danny Shader, vice president of partner and developer relations at Netscape. "By employing Netscape ONE technologies, Netscape Communicator and Netscape SuiteSpot in their solutions, these sales force automation companies deliver a new level of connectivity to mission-critical information. Netscape solutions enable users across the Internet, Intranets and Extranets to seamlessly link to the data they need to help ensure sales decisions are made in as informed a manner as possible."
These new sales force automation solutions are based on Netscape ONE technologies such as Java, JavaScript, Dynamic HTML, LDAP and CORBA. Document access control and integrity are maintained through implementation of Netscape ONE-compliant SSL security protocols. By incorporating Netscape ONE into Web applications, sales force automation vendors can offer customers seamless interoperability, central deployment and management, and the capacity to deliver dynamic content - all within a global network environment.
"It's crucial for salespeople to have the information they need, when they need it, where they need it," said Christopher Lochhead, executive vice president of strategic marketing at Vantive. "The Vantive Encyclopedia sales force automation solution fully integrates Netscape ONE technologies which enables our customers to leverage their existing information technology investments. It provides them with the ability to monitor competitive, product and other corporate information residing on multiple web sites or within the Vantive Enterprise product family."
Several sales force automation solutions featuring Netscape technology integration are currently shipping. They include Applix Enterprise Anyware, Aurum Smart Encyclopedia, FirstFloor Smart Delivery, Saratoga Systems Avenue, Scopus WebTEAM, Trilogy SC Web and Versatility OpenWeb.
"Knowledge and process integration enabled through technical integration is the key to a successful sales force automation solution," said Bo Manning, leader of the Sales Process Transformation group at Deloitte & Touche Consulting LLC. "Customers need to be sure there is tight integration between vendors. Through our relationship with Netscape and sales force automation companies utilizing Netscape solutions and the Netscape ONE environment, Deloitte Consulting is able to better design and implement solutions that address clients' specific business requirements."
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 on-line 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 650/937-2555 (corporations) or 650/937-3777 (individuals).
Netscape and Netscape Navigator are registered trademarks of Netscape Communications Corporation in the United States and other countries. Netscape's logos and Netscape product and service names are also trademarks of Netscape Communications Corporation, which may be registered in other countries.