Infonautics and Microsoft Announce Key Co-Branding Agreement
Electric Library Service Becomes Anchor Reference On MSN's Consumer Research and School Channel
November 4, 1999 02:48 PM
WAYNE, Pa., Nov. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Infonautics, Inc. INFO , a pioneering Internet information services company, today announced an agreement with Microsoft Corporation MSFT that will provide Infonautics' Electric Library(R) service to individual consumers with anchor placement on Microsoft Network's consumer Research & School channel.
Additionally, Microsoft's Encarta Online users will gain access to the Electric Library service's comprehensive database of periodicals, extensive research, and transcripts. In return, Microsoft's Encarta service will be provided with anchor placement on Infonautics' Encyclopedia.com(TM), the web's second largest encyclopedia site according to Media Metrix August, 1999.
"Working with Microsoft was a natural fit," said Ram Mohan, Vice President of Infonautics. "Both Microsoft and Infonautics are committed to online learning and we believe that this is the start of a continuing relationship between two on-line research leaders. The web has made research available to a very large and broad consumer market, and individually, each company is building some of the most comprehensive learning tools available. We see this deal as providing even more powerful research solutions in the consumer market."
Van Morris, Infonautics CEO said, "This relationship works on several levels. First, the users of our products will be able to access more information and do better research. That's our primary goal. Second, it will increase the exposure and visibility of our Electric Library service. Third, we expect that it will increase traffic and provide us with new subscriber revenue."
Dave Chase, Product Unit Manager with the Microsoft Learning Online group said, "We're excited to be working closely with a partner so focused on quality consumer research tools. We feel that the Electric Library service is a great complement to the Encarta line of products."
The Electric Library service is one of the largest paid subscription sites on the web with more than 83,000 paying subscribers. Users are given a free month long trial and are then billed on either a monthly or yearly basis after their trial ends. According to Mohan, "We are encouraged by the reaction to the soft launch of the anchor placements and the use of the Electric Library service by Encarta users."
ABOUT ELECTRIC LIBRARY: The Electric Library service is a comprehensive and easy-to-use online reference tool for researchers of all ages. It provides home-users with the power to search an extensive full-text collection of current and archival information. Using a database drawn from hundreds of popular magazines, specialized journals, newspapers and reference works, plus thousands of TV and radio transcripts, photographs and maps, researchers can find helpful information on virtually any topic. The Electric Library service was the first reference service of its type on the Internet, and today is one of the fastest growing electronic reference services for schools and libraries, serving more than 19,400 institutions in all 50 states.
ABOUT INFONAUTICS: Infonautics, Inc. INFO is a pioneering provider of Internet information services to schools, libraries, consumers and businesses. The Infonautics Network of web properties includes the award- winning Company Sleuth(TM), Electric Library, Sports Sleuth(TM), Job Sleuth(TM), Fantasy Sports Sleuth(TM), Encyclopedia.com and Researchpaper.com(TM). Company Sleuth is the Internet's leading source of free, legal, inside information about publicly traded companies and has recently been selected by PC Magazine as one of the "Top 100 Web Sites" on the Internet. The Company also provides e-commerce online archive services to major publishers and other content creators. Infonautics was founded in November 1992, and is headquartered in Wayne, Pa.
ABOUT MICROSOFT: Founded in 1975, Microsoft MSFT is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day. Encarta Online (http://encarta.msn.com/), the award-winning Web site that includes Encarta Online Deluxe, helps people find the latest information on the topics they need and provides the tools that enable them to use the information effectively for learning. Recently listed as one of CNET's top 10 Internet sites, Encarta Online is an effective starting point for any Internet search.
INFONAUTICS and ELECTRIC LIBRARY are registered trademarks of Infonautics, Inc. or its subsidiaries. COMPANY SLEUTH, SPORTS SLEUTH, JOB SLEUTH, FANTASY SPORTS SLEUTH, ENCYCLOPEDIA.COM and RESEARCHPAPER.COM are trademarks of Infonautics, Inc. or its subsidiaries. All other trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners.
This news release contains, in addition to historical information, forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements may include statements regarding, for example, the results and continuation of any particular agreement and future agreements or relationships. Such statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. More information about potential factors which could affect the Company's financial results is included in the Risk Factors sections of the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward- looking statements included in this document are based on information available to the company as of the date of this document, and the company assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements.
SOURCE Infonautics, Inc.
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