Wave Systems Corp. Enhances Consumer-Publisher Relationship With
Upgraded Great Stuff Network Technology
"Self-Merchandising Objects" Create "Post-Anywhere" Portable Files and Bring Next Generation Electronic Merchandising to ESD
LEE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 4, 1998-- Wave Systems Corp. (OTC BB: WAVX; wave.com today announced major new technology enhancements to its Great Stuff Network(SM) Download Superstore(SM) (http://www.great-stuff.com) that will allow content providers to sell digital products directly to consumers' desktops and better control the shopping experience.
In a separate press release, Wave announced the milestone achievement of 500 titles on Great Stuff, including a redesigned interface that will enable consumers to locate titles more easily.
The key technology announced is Wave's Self-Merchandising Object (SMO) secure wrapper. A SMO is a portable, purchasable object that can be posted anywhere on the Web. The SMO's ''post-anywhere'' capability delivers a consistent merchandising experience wherever it's accessed by consumers. An ad banner could reference a SMO, for example, allowing a publisher to set up a ''mini'' virtual storefront wherever ad space is purchased.
Electronic content can be transformed into a SMO in order to be sold on the Great Stuff Network or elsewhere on the Web. SMOs allow publishers to deliver comprehensive merchandising information directly to electronic shoppers, including not only the standard point-of-purchase information usually found on a physical package, but also information unique to the customer after the purchase. For example, a SMO can be instructed to e-mail a product serial number or User ID/password pair to purchasers along with a digital receipt following a purchase. In turn, the SMOs can be directed to automatically register consumers with publishers, instantly verifying eligibility for technical support.
''Wave is committed to providing publishers with the best tools and technology to merchandise and brand their content,'' said Steven Sprague, president of Wave. ''We've had a very positive reaction to this technology from our content partners. They are pleased with the ways Wave is facilitating more direct relationships with their customers.''
''The Great Stuff technology upgrades introduce the 'next generation' of tools that will establish an interactive relationship between the consumer and content provider,'' Sprague added. ''They provide the foundation for the publisher to merchandise digital content directly to the consumer, and enable any digital content to be placed anywhere on the Web in a purchasable format.''
Additionally, Wave announced a Great Stuff interface redesign (http://great-stuff.com) that includes a simplified category/sub-category scheme that will enable consumers to quickly search for and locate desired content. |
