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BERKELEY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 2, 1997--StarNine Technologies, Inc., a
subsidiary of Quarterdeck Corporation, today announced the version 2.0 Upgrades to WebCatalog
and WebMerchant, Internet commerce applications formerly marketed by Pacific Coast Software of
San Diego.
Available within a week on the Mac(TM)OS, with NT versions expected to ship by early July, both
applications are dramatically more flexible and customizable, with greater configurability of
databases, and support for multiple storefronts.
WebCatalog 2.0 can now dynamically generate pages simultaneously from multiple WebCatalog
database files, with additional features added to further improve ease-of-administration and
customization. StarNine will publish, market and support both WebCatalog and WebMerchant,
based on an exclusive publishing agreement with Pacific Coast Software (see related release dated
June 2), while Pacific Coast and StarNine will continue to collaborate on the development of future
upgrades.
``Simple, yet powerful online commerce software is the Holy Grail of the Internet,'' explained Rusty
Rahm, president and StarNine. ``WebCatalog and WebMerchant, are high-performance, yet
easy-to-use tools that turn a WebSTAR server or an NT Web server into a fully functional online
store, ready to conduct transactions through your standard merchant transaction account. It's very
fast, and the HTML administration makes it easy to configure.''
Available for the MacOS and Windows NT platforms, WebCatalog is the first database designed
exclusively for the Web, with integrated connectivity to Web servers -- no additional CGI, Plug-in or
database server is required. This unique architecture yields performance far beyond traditional
solutions involving a separate CGI and back-end database application.
WebMerchant is a companion application that automatically clears credit card transactions using the
most popular automated methods such as MacAuthorize, PCAuthorize and ICVerify. FirstVirtual
payments are also supported on both platforms. WebMerchant is architected so that future payment
methods, such as CyberCash, can be added quite easily.
Search No Further for Power and Flexibility
As a high-speed, multi-threaded application, WebCatalog's extremely efficient RAM-caching
database algorithm allows a multitude of requests to be processed much more quickly than they can
with alternative solutions that link to external database applications. Administering WebCatalog is
made easy through simple HTML template files, either locally or remotely via the Web.
WebCatalog's robust search capabilities are fully customizable, including multi-field searches with
results displayed according to relevance.
The WebCatalog 2.0 Upgrade now offers template support for WebCatalog's embedded
WebDNA command language; support for sophisticated look-ups of zip code, tax, and shipping
databases for complex invoice calculations; and support for all standard ``cloaking'' functions.
WebCatalog 2.0's increased flexibility in configuring database fields results in greater RAM
efficiency.
``WebCatalog was built from the ground up as a Web database tool, which makes it far faster and
more flexible than competing products,'' said beta tester Karl Schroll of Digital Frontier. ``Due to the
fact that the database is served directly from RAM, pages created through WebCatalog are served
faster than conventional HTML pages. I have yet to find a shopping site that processes information
as quickly as WebCatalog.''
``WebCatalog makes it easy for customers to search product inventory,'' added Schroll. ``It also
takes the headaches out of maintaining the product database. With WebCatalog, you can easily alter
price, descriptions, and all other fields associated with a product's database record via simple,
Web-based forms. This database approach to traditional Web development makes our job much
easier and it allows us to leverage our existing work because we can reuse our WebCatalog 2.0
templates for new clients, making us much more productive and profitable.''
Complete HTML template files are included with WebCatalog ranging from easy set-up templates
defining the look and action of the site to more complex capabilities such as built-in support for
creating custom shopping carts.
``The great thing about the software is you can start simple,'' agreed Schroll. ``The store templates
that come with WebCatalog 2.0 can be easily adapted to fit an individual store's needs, so smaller
vendors can have their sites up and running in no time. There is plenty of room to grow too, since
field limitations present in earlier versions have been eliminated, which means you can likely build any
application you can dream up.''
Add Immediate Transaction Execution
WebMerchant 2.0 conducts the transaction generated by WebCatalog immediately or in batches
and can send confirmation back to the customer once the process is complete. Simultaneous to the
transaction, WebMerchant also logs and tracks the transaction through final product delivery,
significantly increasing an online store's level of customer service.
Retailers with existing merchant accounts can use those accounts to execute the transaction. Retailers
setting up new transaction accounts can choose from all of the popular automated methods such as
MacAuthorize, PCAuthorize and ICVerify, and can expect WebMerchant to support future
payment methods.
Pricing and Availability
The WebCatalog and WebMerchant Upgrades are free to users who purchased after May 1st of
1996, and $895 to customers who purchased before May 1996. Both WebCatalog and
WebMerchant 2.0 Upgrades are available within a week on the Mac(TM)OS, with NT versions of
both products expected to ship by early July.
For new customers WebCatalog 2.0 is priced at $2,495 and WebMerchant 2.0 is $995.
WebCatalog and WebMerchant are available for both Mac and NT platforms. More information on
WebCatalog and WebMerchant can be found at (http://www.starnine.com/webcatalog/).
WebCatalog and WebMerchant are available for purchase online at (http://www.starnine.com), or
by calling 800/525-2580.
About Pacific Coast Software
Pacific Coast Software, located in San Diego County, California, is a privately held company
specializing in software consulting, software development, Web site creation and Web site hosting.
Currently available software includes Internet utility products such as SiteCheck, SiteEdit and
PhotoMaster. A wide array of Web site hosting and creation services are supported on a dedicated
high-speed connection, safeguarded to eliminate down-time.
Further information on Pacific Coast Software can be obtained b y calling 619/675-1106, accessing
Pacific Coast's site at (http://www.pacific-coast.com/), or by emailing info@pacific-coast.com .
About StarNine
StarNine Technologies, Inc. is a subsidiary of Quarterdeck Corporation located in Berkeley, leading
the development of Internet server software, content creation tools, and email connectivity products.
Best known for its WebSTAR Web server software, StarNine also offers ListSTAR list server
software, WebCollage automated content creation software, Quarterdeck Mail and MailLink
Internet email gateways. Further information on StarNine may be obtained by calling 510/649-4949,
accessing StarNine's Web site at (http://www.starnine.com/), or by emailing info@starnine.com .
Quarterdeck Corporation, StarNine's parent company, is a developer and marketer of utilities and
Internet software for small business, home office, corporate, government and individual personal
computer users. Its worldwide headquarters are in Marina del Rey, Calif., with Dublin, Ireland
serving as its European headquarters. Further information on Quarterdeck may be obtained by
calling 800/354-3222, accessing Quarterdeck's Web site at (http://www.quarterdeck.com/),or by
emailing info@quarterdeck.com .
NOTE TO EDITORS: Quarterdeck, StarNine and WebSTAR are registered trademarks of
Quarterdeck Corporation or its subsidiaries. ListSTAR is a trademark of Quarterdeck Corporation
or its subsidiaries. WebCatalog and WebMerchant are trademarks of Pacific Coast Software. All
other brands and products referenced herein are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective holders. |
