The following is news on BNYN re: SwitchBoard
(PR Wires) DJ: Switchboard Leverages iAtlas' Technology to Raise Local
DJ: Switchboard Leverages iAtlas' Technology to Raise Local Merchant Visibility
on the World Wide Web; iAtlas' Infolens to Integrate Over 500,000 Web Sites
into the Switchboard Yellow Pages
LAUREL, Md. and WESTBORO, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 22, 1999--iAtlas
Corporation, developer of patent-pending technologies with the revolutionary
ability to find, refine and verify Internet business information, and
Switchboard, Inc., the popular Internet subsidiary of Banyan Systems
Incorporated (NASDAQ:BNYN), today announced that iAtlas' Infolens(tm) will
be integrated with Switchboard's online yellow pages directory, providing
rich extensions to its existing business data and advertising content.
Switchboard will be providing a new, no-cost avenue to improve the
visibility of local merchants who have an established Web presence to
consumers who are 'ready-to-buy.' Merchants can further extend that
visibility with a variety of advertising options available through
Switchboard's recently announced Local Merchant Program. The partnership
gives Switchboard users direct access to over 500,000 Web sites and the
ability to execute keyword searches for specific content throughout all of a
particular company's Web domains.
Recognized as a technology leader in the online directory space, Switchboard
will deliver the only directory service on the Web that integrates online
yellow pages listings with Internet search capabilities. Leveraging the
iAtlas Infolens technology, Switchboard will enable local merchants to
better differentiate themselves by offering users the ability to more
narrowly refine their business searches based on the content of merchant
Websites. For example, a Switchboard user will be able to search yellow
pages for camera shops in Santa Clara, CA and - using iAtlas' Infolens -
pinpoint the particular Silicon Valley camera merchants that sell the
specific product brands they are looking for.
"Building an extensive and rich base of searchable business information into
Switchboard is one of our most fundamental objectives," stated Dean
Polnerow, president of Switchboard Incorporated. "This partnership
represents a new and unique way for local merchants to be found on the Web,
leveraging the investments they are making in their Websites."
"The value of iAtlas' Infolens is its ability to push online business
searching to a new level, providing users with deeper, more detailed
categories of business information that they can use to better qualify
merchants," said Jeff Black, iAtlas' president, founder and chief executive.
"We are delighted to partner with a company like Switchboard where our
product adds clear incremental value. We look forward to working closely
with them and exploring new ways to broaden our relationship."
The power behind the Infolens technology -- the iAtlas Registry(tm)-- is a
comprehensive database, which contains Internet information for very
organization on the Web. The Registry is further strengthened through an
agreement with infoUSA (NASDAQ:IUSAB); the marketing information vendor's
business data was one of the offline sources used to populate the iAtlas
Registry database with specific business demographic information - allowing
end-users to focus their keyword searches by industry, geography, size of
business, company type, or any combination of the above.
Users will be able to access the integrated content on Switchboard's online
directory at www.switchboard.com.
About iAtlas Corp.
Based in Laurel, Md., the privately held iAtlas Corporation develops and
markets filtering technology that brings the Internet into focus.
The patent-pending iAtlas Infolens reduces information overload by making it
possible to perform sharply focused searches for Internet-specific and
traditional demographic and geographic business information. Using iAtlas'
technology, search and directory sites can become Next Generation Portals,
offering for the first time user-directed filtered search capabilities.
Users can choose those filters that are relevant to their search and,
through those filters, locate only information relevant to their search.
In addition to Infolens technology, iAtlas caters to corporate sales and
marketing departments by offering custom industry analyses and Internet
market reports. For more information or for a demonstration of iAtlas'
products and services, please visit the iAtlas Web site at www.iatlas.com.
About Switchboard, Inc.
Switchboard (www.switchboard.com) is one of the leading white and yellow
pages directories on the Web and among the 40 most active Web destinations
according to Media Metrix, the foremost Internet traffic monitoring service.
More than 40 million times each month, Switchboard helps consumers find the
information they need, whether it is locating a long lost friend or the
nearest restaurant, hotel, or automobile dealer. Switchboard is the 1998
winner of the Local Internet Service Award for best national directory
service. Offering comprehensive information, unmatched speed and innovative
features, Switchboard is the on-line directory selected by Alta Vista, Bell
Atlantic and GeoCities. Switchboard Incorporated is a majority held
subsidiary of Banyan Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:BNYN). Switchboard is a
registered trademark of Switchboard Inc.
iAtlas Infolens and the iAtlas Registry are trademarks of iAtlas
Corporation. Switchboard is a registered trademark of Switchboard, Inc. All
other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their
respective owners.
CONTACT: iAtlas Corporation
Eric Groves, 301/438-7180
eric.groves@ialtas.com
or
Switchboard Incorporated
Elaine Haney, 508/898-1746
ehaney@switchboard.com
or
David Gersh, 508/836-2851
dgersh@switchboard.com
or
Sterling Hager, Inc.
Kristin Kane, 617/926-6665 ext.248
kristin@sterlinghager.com
08:49 EST MARCH 22, 1999
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