Just clipped from the ASND discussion board. Thought some here might be interested.
bspears MD
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Monday June 8, 8:27 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
Preview Systems Enables Online Software Distribution for France's Largest ISP and Electronic Distributor
Softway's software download and commerce site to be showcased at SPA EUROPE
CANNES, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 8, 1998-- Preview Systems, the new company formed with the recent merger of Preview Software and Portland Software, today announced a deal with France's leading provider of integrated solutions for Internet professionals, Softway International.
The agreement adds to Preview Systems' growing list of e-commerce partners. Under terms of the deal, Softway will use Preview Systems' fully-integrated ESD platform to enable online sales. (For more information on Preview Software and Portland Software's merger finalization, please see Preview Systems' announcement of June 8, 1998 ''Preview Software and Portland Software Complete Merger and Announce Management Team''.)
The partnership is significant for Softway because it is the ground-breaking step in their ambitious all-online distribution strategy, the first and largest of its kind in France. With software sales accounting for roughly 50% of the company's earnings, online sales and marketing of software is an important new business opportunity for this leading distributor. Using Preview Systems' new ZipLock ESD System, Softway will build an electronic software download and commerce business that supports its two-tier network of over 1000 VARs, integrators and ISPs throughout France and the rest of Europe. In addition, Softway will serve as a reseller of ZipLock ESD Systems.
''Our mission is to spread the buying and selling of software electronically, and that includes savvy distributors such as Softway and their pre-existing networks of resellers. Our ESD solution lets everyone play in online software distribution, which benefits software publishers and consumers as well as distributors and resellers,'' said Karl Hirsch, executive vice president of Preview Systems.
''We are pioneering electronic software distribution in France, and it was critical to us that we choose the ESD technology provider with the most complete, flexible ESD platform,'' said Reza Malekzadeh, Director of US Operations for Softway International. ''Preview Systems has won the support of software publishers as well as online resellers, and we're comfortable that their solution can scale up with the growth of our electronic business.''
Softway International is the premiere partner in France of Ascend (NASDAQ:ASND - news), FTP Software (NASDAQ:FTPS - news), Hummingbird LTD (NASDAQ:HUMCF - news), Netopia (NASDAQ:NTPA - news), Netscape (NASDAQ:NSCP - news), RealNetworks (NASDAQ:RNWK - news), and other strategic brands, with over 1000 VARs, integrators and ISPs throughout France and the rest of Europe.
About Preview Systems' ZipLock ESD System
The integrated, highly-scalable ESD system from Preview Systems is slated for release in mid-July. Named the ZipLock ESD System, it provides an end-to-end platform that lets software publishers, resellers and channel partners work efficiently together, while ensuring they can take advantage of emerging e-commerce trends like remote license management, software rentals, pay-per-use, and subscriptions later on. The ZipLock ESD System integrates tightly with Microsoft SiteServer, Open Market's Transact, and iCat, to complete existing e-commerce systems with ESD functionality.
About Preview Systems
Preview Systems is changing the way software is bought and sold. The company is the market leader in developing innovative ESD systems that enable the electronic sales and marketing of software and other digital goods. Preview Systems was established with the May, 1998 merger of Preview Software and Portland Software, two ESD technology pioneers. The ZipLock ESD System is designed to work with leading e-commerce servers such as Microsoft SiteServer Commerce Edition, OpenMarket's Transact, and iCat.
Preview Systems has strategic partnerships with major online resellers, including BUYDIRECT.COM, Netscape Software Depot by software.net (NASDAQ:NCSP - news), eWarehouse, software.net and VBXtras. In addition, Preview Systems partners with leading commerce service providers such as CyberSource, Concentric (NASDAQ:CNCX - news), EC Direct and eCharge. Current customers include Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT - news), Quarterdeck, Broderbund NASDAQ:BROD), IMSI (NASDAQ:IMSI - news), Connectix, Ulead, Digital Equipment Corporation (NYSE:DEC - news; NYSE: DEC - news), Seagate Software (NYSE:SEG - news), Visioneer (NASDAQ:VSNR - news), Global Link, Verifone, and Palo Alto Software.
Preview Systems is a privately-held company with headquarters in Cupertino, California, and offices in Portland, Oregon. Investors include Discovery Ventures, Encompass Group, France Telecom [NYSE:FTE - news] Innovacom, Olympic Venture Partners, Phoenix Partners, RWI Group, Sand Hill Financial, and Telos Venture Partners. Preview Systems is on the Web at www.previewsoft.com. Company headquarters are located at 1601 S. De Anza Blvd., Suite 100 Cupertino, CA 95014. Phone is 408-873-3450 and fax is 408-873-3465.
Note to Editors: Vbox, ZipLock, ZipLock ESD System and Preview Systems are trademarks or registered trademarks of Preview Systems. All other products and brands may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
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Contact:
McLean Public Relations
Jessie Brumfiel, 650/685-3850 (3840 direct)
jb@mcleanpr.com
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More Quotes
and News: Ascend Communications Inc (Nasdaq:ASND - news)
Digital Equipment Corp (NYSE:DEC - news)
France Telecom (NYSE:FTE - news)
FTP Software Inc (Nasdaq:FTPS - news)
Hummingbird Communications Ltd (Nasdaq:HUMCF - news)
Netopia Inc (Nasdaq:NTPA - news)
Netscape Communications Corp (Nasdaq:NSCP - news)
RealNetworks Inc (Nasdaq:RNWK - news)
Related News Categories: computer hardware, computers, internet, ISDEX, networking, software, telecom
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