BW1126 NOV 24,1997 6:01 PACIFIC 09:01 EASTERN
( BW)(VIRTUAL-TECHNOLOGY)(VTCO) Virtual Technology
Corporation Announces Ingram Micro Reseller Agreement
Business Editors
MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 24, 1997--
www.virtual-world.com To Specialize
"E-Commerce" and Sales via the WWW
Virtual Technology Corporation (OTC - VTCO) today announced the signing of a reseller
Agreement with Ingram Micro, Inc. Ingram, (NYSE-IM) is the largest distributor of brand name
technology products and services in the world. VTC launched Virtual World,
virtual-world.com, a full scale "E-Commerce" site on the Internet in October 1997
specializing in high performance equipment and software. "VTC is well on its way to becoming the
No. 1 WWW site for Speed, Power and Graphics, said Kenneth Israel, Chief Virtual Officer.
According to Israel, this move marks the company's broadening of its products and services to
include the latest and highest quality hardware and software, which include familiar brand names and
top selling titles, in addition to VTC's proprietary, branded software.
VTC has established alliances that enable the company to provide a virtual inventory of
state-of-the-art technology, along with the highest caliber customer support, on-demand delivery
schedules, -- with very competitive pricing. "In addition to the power and depth of Ingram Micro's
services and products behind us, we add literally thousands of brand name products with valuable
technical information and product descriptions, which make www.virtual-world.com a must stop
when researching and pricing software and equipment options." With this arrangement VTC is able
to ship most on line orders received by 5pm, the same day. On line inquiry for shipping, inventory
and tracking is also available. Special order facilities for customized configurations and Corporate
purchasing is available via secure log-in to the Virtual-World WWW site.
"We have built an Internet location that receives thousands of visitors every month. We are
gradually integrating the Ingram Micro products with a goal of reaching an estimated 10,000 items
by December." We will continually add new products to our catalog and will include weekly
promotional opportunities offered by Ingram. Now, when visitors come to our WWW site they'll
have immediate access to the latest technology, pricing and up-to-the-minute information for over
10,000 new products and services which we will continue to add to constantly," stated Israel.
VTC represents multiple product lines, from leading manufacturers of personal computers,
laptops, PDAs, peripheral devices such as scanners, printers, etc. to components, such as memory,
graphics cards, multimedia cards, modems, and monitors.
Based on The Vision Factory's storefront software tool, Cat@log(TM), the site allows customers
to easily search for information customized to their individual preferences, select the items to place
into their shopping basket, and pay directly on-line. They then confirm shipping and billing
information and have the products delivered to them within 24 hours. Help desk and support
inquiries will be answered at 888-982-6245. Special arrangements are available for large volume
buyers and corporate accounts.
Frequent Buyer Programs
Customers who purchase via the WWW site, will be given purchase credits which can be used
much like frequent flyer miles, which may be redeemed for travel or products. Each week there will
be different promotions in which a buyer will be able to obtain tremendous values on other
equipment or software or the credits can be applied to travel to various destinations.
Specific Product Information:
Products to be included and available initially via the e-commerce site,
virtual-world.com are as follows:
Software
Virtual Internet Phone (VIPhone)(TM) - turn your Mac or PC into a real telephone and call
anywhere, talk all day, and never pay long distance charges. Unlike other Internet telephony
programs, VIPhone(TM) doesn't require a gateway server in each city or any particular
infrastructure for that matter. You simply key in an email address and VIPhone(TM) connects you
directly to the other party.
Virtual Access(TM) News & Mail - The world's best Email and News Reader actually comes in
two product lines. The premium product, Virtual Access(TM), is for power Internet users and has
exclusive features such as; CompuServe interface, multiple email id's and ISP's, automatic decoding
of binary files, and much, more. For new Internet users or those who just want simple, easy access
to all the "News on the Net", we suggest @ccess(TM) News & Mail, which has some of the same
features and functions of Virtual Access(TM), it's just a little easier to use.
Virtual Storage(TM) - Provides on-line backup and recovery of critical data. A great tool for
every office and home, providing a quick, easy way to backup your hard drive, anytime, anyplace.
A must for anyone serious about disaster recovery and protecting valuable data. Virtual Storage is
used by many medical organizations, clinics and lab's for off site storage of medical records and vital
data, which is retrievable on-line.
Hardware:
Featured will be custom designed Personal Computers from ETC (Emerging Technologies
Corporation) with Intel MMX technology. Prices and performance that can't be beat with industry
standard warranties and satisfaction guarantees. Brand name Pentium notebooks also with Intel
MMX technology in various configurations. Fully configured multimedia machines, with monitors and
modems, Internet ready - starting at under $1200.
Peripheral Equipment
Add-on devices such as color scanners, monitors, 16bit full duplex sound cards, Video
Conferencing Kits, and Modems of all speeds and sizes. Unbeatable quality, speed, and reliability
for extremely competitive prices.
For up to the minute pricing on Pentium Upgrade Kits, add-on memory (Simms, Dram, EDO),
check the WWW site daily.
Featured Daily and Weekly Specials
Each week a specific product will be featured and offered for unbeatable prices. Check the
WWW site daily for incentives for first time shoppers and frequent buyer award bonuses.
About Virtual Technology Corporation
Virtual Technology Corporation (AKA: Network Storage Corporation / OTC: VTCO) is a
publicly held Minnesota based company with offices in Minneapolis and London, England. The
company was incorporated in February 1996 as Network Storage Corporation and the name was
changed to Virtual Technology Corporation.
Virtual Technology Corporation is an online retailer of computer hardware and software
products. The company markets hardware and software primarily via the Internet. The company
launched Virtual Access(TM) E-Mail, "the world's best E-Mail and News Group Reader" in
January 1997 and recently released Virtual Storage, On-Line Storage via the Internet, providing
access to extra disk capacity and remote back-up of critical data. The company provides VIPhone
via a distribution agreement with Digiphone International, a subsidiary of Camelot Corporation.
As a result of the company's success in generating quality traffic to its WWW location, VTC
recently enhanced and merged its Web sites (http://www.virtual-world.com) to become a full-scale
electronic commerce ("E-Comm") location. The company's strategy is to become the "Premier Site
for Speed, Power and Graphics" through its focus and innovative marketing strategy, depth of
product selection, competitive pricing and high-quality content.
About Ingram Micro
Ingram Micro Inc. (NYSE:IM), headquartered in Santa Ana, Calif., is the world's largest
wholesale distributor of technology products and services, and a leading provider of assembly and
integration services, with 1996 sales of $12 billion. The company operates in 20 countries and
distributes more than 48,000 SKUs to more than 100,000 resellers in 120 countries. The company
posted record net sales in the third quarter of 1997 of $4.09 billion, growing 39 percent over the
$2.93 billion achieved in the same quarter last year.
The information contained within is provided under the Safe Harbor Statement under the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements regarding the company's anticipated
performance are forward-looking and therefore involve risks and uncertainties, including but not
limited to market conditions in the internet services industry, competitive products and technologies,
and other factors that are set forth in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
Virtual Technology Corporation, 3100 W. Lake St., Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN, 55416, USA,
Ph: 612-915-1122, Fax: 612-915-1133, virtual-world.com
Virtual Access(TM), @ccess(TM) News & Mail, VIPhone(TM) and Virtual Storage(TM) are
trademarks of Virtual Technology Corporation
All other trademarks are owned by their respective holders.
Members of the media who would like press material or an evaluation copy of Virtual
Access(TM), @ccess News & Mail, VIPhone(TM) or Virtual Storage(TM) should contact Alan
Weinkrantz, Alan Weinkrantz and Company, 210-820-3070 ext. 103, alan@weinkrantz.com.
--30--jc/ms*
CONTACT: U.S. Company Contact:
Ken Israel, 612-915-1122
keni@vamail.com
virtual-world.com
or
European Company Contact:
Jeff Maynard, +44-171-831-4000
jeff_maynard@netstore.net
or
PR Agency Contact:
Alan L. Weinkrantz, 210-820-3070 ext. 103
alan@weinkrantz.com
or
IR Agency Contact:
H.L. Lanzet & Co.
Herb Lanzet, 212-687-0061
KEYWORD: MINNESOTA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: COMED COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS TELECOMMUNICATIONS
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