More GT News:
TestDrive Introduces First Non-Intrusive, Complete Electronic Shrinkwrap Solution for the Internet GTIS, McAfee, Microsoft, Starfish and PC World Among First Internet Customers
Business Wire - February 10, 1997 13:48
FINANCIAL TESTDRIVE CALIFORNIA COMPUTERS ELECTRONICS COMED TRADESHOW PRODUCT V%BW P%BW
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jump to first matched term
INDIAN WELLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 10, 1997--TestDrive Corporation today announced at Demo 97 TestDrive/Internet, the industry's first non-intrusive, complete electronic packaging solution that allows Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) and electronic merchants to easily and securely market and sell their software over the Internet.
Based on patented TestDrive encryption and unlocking technologies, TestDrive/Internet is the only product and service suite that combines a non-intrusive electronic "shrinkwrap" with the ability to create full product trial versions for the Internet.
Among the first titles to be wrapped with TestDrive/Internet are those from leading publishers AMS, GT Interactive Services (GTIS), McAfee, Microsoft, Parsons Technology, Starfish, and Synchronous. The first electronic storefront, PC World, is expected to go on-line in March. Both Prodigy and Dell Computer will also be bringing stores on-line based on TestDrive products and technology.
In a related announcement today, TestDrive also announced that the company will collaborate with leading Internet commerce services provider CyberSource to offer ISVs complete, turnkey ESD solutions. (See release dated today entitled TestDrive and CyberSource to Collaborate in Providing ISVs and Users Complete, Secure ESD Solution for the Internet.)
In a further related announcement, TestDrive announced that it would collaborate with the IDG Demo 97 conference to make its turnkey ESD products and services available to software publishers participating in the conference and their DemoWeb site. (See release dated today entitled TestDrive to provide Electronic Software Distribution Opportunities for Demo 97 Companies.)
"TestDrive is focused on offering both a compelling Electronic Software Distribution (ESD) business proposition for ISVs and electronic merchants with the highest quality user experience," said Ed Lauing, president and CEO of TestDrive. "With TestDrive/Internet, ISVs can achieve incremental sales with easy access to electronic commerce on the Internet."
Easy, Non-Invasive, Secure Wrapping for ISVs
TestDrive/Internet products and services offer the industry's most complete electronic retailing solution, combining advanced technologies with turnkey support services and access to the broadest range of TestDrive-enabled electronic distribution channels.
With TestDrive/Internet, ISVs can, for the first time, easily create full-product trial versions of their products without requiring recompiling or additional product development. Using the patented TestDrive/Internet encryption and unlocking technology, ISVs can offer their customers full-trial versions of their products over the Internet for a limited period of time or number of uses.
The product's dynamically updatable security provides advanced security by allowing instant updating and enhancement of the encryption algorithms. TestDrive/Internet-encrypted products can be deployed on both the ISV's Web sites and on the leading ESD sites. In addition, TestDrive/Internet's "wrap once/distribute many" capabilities allow TestDrive-wrapped products to be distributed over the Internet, CD-ROM or on OEM disk media.
"TestDrive is an excellent ESD partner for Starfish Software," said Robin Nijor, director of sales for Starfish Software. "TestDrive's advanced, full try/buy technology combined with their extensive ESD partnerships represent a winning proposition for incremental sales for our titles."
User-Friendly Trial Experience
Users receive the highest quality ESD experience with TestDrive/Internet. The product's virtual install process allows a user complete preview access or complete uninstall of the trial product without any alteration to the system configuration. Dynamic download also allows a user to be productive during the download process. By enabling full-product trials, users are able to experience products exactly as they work when purchased, rather than crippled or limited product versions. For customers who wish to purchase the product during or after the trial, TestDrive/Internet's proprietary RSA Security-based encryption features provide highly secure purchase and unlock capabilities.
Complete, Turnkey Services for ISVs
In addition to Test Drive/Internet products, TestDrive/Internet services provide ISVs and merchants with turnkey ESD support services. Custom services include product wrapping with documentation and marketing collateral, Web site design and creation, transaction, support and reporting services. As a result, ISVs receive a complete, transparent electronic retailing solution.
New Distribution Opportunities for Burgeoning ESD Market
TestDrive/Internet products and services are aimed at enabling ISVs and electronic merchants to easily and securely tap into the burgeoning market for ESD. Combined with TestDrive's ESD partnerships, ISVs have access to new electronic distribution channels, such as leading electronic commerce sites and high-profile PC brands.
According to a recent survey by software industry watcher Jeffrey Tarter of Soft.letter, a majority of ISVs believe that one-third of their revenues will be through ESD channels by the end of 1998. Other leading market research firms cite similar growth estimates, with figures ranging from 10% of non-license sales this year up to as much as 50% of all software sales within five years.
"Advanced encryption technology like TestDrive's is a strong enabler of ESD as a strategic distribution channel for Microsoft products," said Martin Tobias, Microsoft's emerging channels marketing manager. "Microsoft is a strong supporter of ESD and we expect easy, secure try-buy solutions to accelerate strong consumer acceptance in this area."
Pricing and Availability
TestDrive/Internet's electronic shrinkwrap service fees are based on the complexity of the wrapping process, with most fees ranging from $1,000 -$1,500, plus 10% of software royalty fees. Creative and production services are priced as required. TestDrive/Internet's wrapping services are available immediately, with the first store scheduled to go on-line in March. TestDrive/Internet 1.0 supports Windows 3.1, Windows for Workgroups and Windows 95.
About TestDrive Corporation
TestDrive Corporation is the leading provider of complete, non-intrusive, secure try/buy products and services for ISVs, software retailers and emerging electronic retail channels. TestDrive's patented, advanced encryption, full product trial and purchase technologies and electronic distribution partnerships enable software vendors to distribute their products via the Internet, CD-ROM, floppy or OEM hard drive. The Company's products and turnkey creative, technical, customer support, transaction management, and fulfillment services are sold directly worldwide. TestDrive Corporation is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., and can be reached at 408/496-0555, or at their Web site at www.testdrive.com . |
