IBM goes with DRIV in Europe...
MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 13, 1998--Digital River
(NASDAQ: DRIV.O), which manages the world's largest online database of
software products, today announced a European distribution agreement
with Lotus Development Corp. and International Business Machines Corp.
(IBM) (NYSE: IBM.N). Through Digital River's online dealer network,
Lotus and IBM software will be available via electronic distribution,
thereby making Digital River the first distributor of targeted
electronic software delivery (ESD) in Europe.
In 1997, Digital River began distributing Lotus and IBM software
through its online dealer network in the United States. With this
expansion into Europe, distribution efforts will be managed from
Digital River's European headquarters in London, which was recently
opened in response to the heightened interest throughout Europe to
purchase, sell and electronically distribute software over the
Internet.
"Digital River has successfully delivered hundreds of thousands
of products over the Internet in the US since the inception of ESD,
and we have the technology, vision and leadership that the European
market needs to successfully do the same," said Ian Yarlott, general
manager European office Digital River. "Breaking into the European
market with leaders like Lotus and IBM Software makes this
international development even more exciting. Digital River's
capabilities to manage targeted, focused online stores, as well as
international channel programs, are very unique to this industry and
provide software publishers and dealers with an easy, no-risk way to
begin selling software online."
"This initiative will accelerate our reach to new online channel
resellers who want to market, resell and securely distribute Lotus and
IBM software over the Internet in European markets," added Sheryl
Barnes, worldwide eChannel manager for Lotus and IBM. "Digital River's
technology will provide us with secure online product delivery and
will enable traditional dealers and new on-line Internet resellers to
market, sell, and electronically distribute Lotus and IBM software to
a rapidly growing market of Internet buyers."
Through this deal with Digital River, Lotus and IBM Software will
sell application development tools, personal productivity tools and
utilities. Some of the software applications that will be made
available for electronic distribution include Vtconn for Netscape,
VisualAge Developer Domain, VisualAge Java, Home Page Print, and
Desktop On-Call. In addition, a large subset of Lotus SKUs will be
available through ESD, including Lotus Notes(a), Notes Client(a),
Lotus 1-2-3 Spreadsheet(a), Organizer(a), EasySync for Notes(a),
eSuite Developer Pack(a), and ScreenCam(a).
About Digital River(b)
Digital River, Inc. (NASDAQ: DRIV.O), based in Minneapolis, offers
the world's largest online database of software products. The company
provides more than 1,600 software publishers and online dealers with
its proprietary technology for Internet delivery of more than 120,000
software and other digital products. Tech Squared Inc. (OTC Bulletin
Board: TSQD) controls 19 percent of Digital River's common stock. For
more information visit the Digital River Web site at
digitalriver.com.
(a) Indicates trademark or registered trademark of Lotus Development
Corporation.
(b) Except for the historical information contained herein, this
press release contains forward-looking statements, including
statements containing the words, "believes," "anticipates," "expects"
and similar words. Such forward-looking statements involve known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the
actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or
industry results, to be materially different from any future results,
performance or achievements expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others: the
Company's limited operating history and variability of operating
results; market acceptance of electronic software delivery; the
Company's ability to maintain relationships with software publishers
and online retailers; competition in the electronic commerce market;
and other risk factors referenced in the Company's public filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.
--30--mem/ny*
CONTACT: Karen Blondell Jodi Baumann
Technology Solutions Digital River
212-320-2267 612-253-8396
kblondell@tsipr.com jbaumann@digitalriver.com
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