WEBB news - Online System Services Launches Custom Portal for Education and Training Market
PR Newswire, Friday, January 08, 1999 at 03:02
Software Development Leader Integrates Innovative Distance Learning Solution
Into Robust i2u Education(TM) Offering
DENVER, Jan. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Online System Services, Inc. (OSS)
(NASDAQ:WEBB), the leading provider of private label portals and pioneer in
developing Internet-based software and content services, today expanded its
strategic initiative in the education arena by launching a "virtual campus," a
new custom portal that fosters an interactive educational environment
facilitating distance-learning solutions for schools, colleges and corporate
training. Specifically designed for the education and training market, the
prototype campus adds a new dimension to i2u EducationO, OSS' portal
customized for the education industry, and is further testimony to the
flexibility of OSS' portals and how they can be adapted to serve the specific
needs of any industry.
The virtual campus is built on OSS' Portal Objects(TM) foundation, the
Company's proprietary technology based exclusively on Microsoft Corporation
technologies. Portal Objects(TM) enables OSS to rapidly build custom portals
-- each assembled using the Company's industry-proven i2u software content
services -- for end-users.
"Online education and business training is one of the most exciting growth
areas for online communications, and our virtual campus is a valuable and
innovative solution that adds to our momentum as we capitalize on this
opportunity," said Steve Adams, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Online
System Services. "We're at the forefront of distance learning, and are proud
to enable people all over the world to enhance their professional practice,
enrich their understanding, and stay knowledgeable and competitive in today's
global environment -- all from their homes or offices, at any time."
At the core of the online campus is an interactive electronic environment
that allows a greater degree of class discussion and participation as well as
individual guidance from instructors. The user-friendly interface enables
students to easily locate and participate in all areas of academia, ranging
from participating in classes at the Academic Center, borrowing books from the
Library, seeking counsel from an academic advisor or meeting other students in
the Student Center.
The virtual campus also features a robust e-commerce offering. Through
the i2u Education portal on which the campus is based, Online System Services
provides each school with fully-integrated tools to set up their own store.
In addition, Online System Services adds depth to the school's e-commerce
presence by providing them with pre-built stores, which enable schools to
immediately conduct transactions and benefit from revenues.
The virtual campus is garnering interest from prominent organizations
across the country. The Company recently signed an agreement with the
Feminist Majority Foundation to develop an online Interactive learning and
organizing environment to enhance their campus program, Feminist Majority
Leadership Alliances. The new interactive online site, Choices Virtual
Community, will operate in conjunction with the Feminist Majority Foundation's
award-winning Web site (www.feminist.org) which has been profiled in The New
York Times and has received prestigious awards, including The Mining Company's
"Best of the Net," Snap's "Best of the Web," and "Editor's Choice" by the
search engine GoTo.
"The Choices Virtual Campus Community is key to our growth strategy. It
will enable us to recruit and train leaders, and to launch activities on new
campuses through the Internet," said Eleanor Smeal, president of the Feminist
Majority Foundation and former president of National Organization for Women.
"The virtual campus' features -- especially chat and forums -- will enrich
campus feminist leaders' experience on the Web by facilitating discussion and
interaction."
At launch, the full suite of services provided by the college will include
online training and course development, design and maintenance of online
campuses, and student enrollment services. For more information, contact
Sarah Blackmun and visit the virtual campus demo at
alphacollege.net.
As previously announced, OSS was chosen by TCI Communications' Education
Project to develop online school communities that foster interactive learning,
communications and information sharing on the Internet. The project will
leverage Portal ObjectsO to create custom virtual campus portals for as many
as 19,000 K-12 schools located within TCI markets. Initial deployment of the
pilot program is planned in two markets in the first quarter of 1999.
About Online System Services
Denver-based Online System Services (OSS) is a pioneer in developing and
marketing Internet-based software content that provides end-users with
personal portals that facilitate e-commerce, e-publishing, Web site and Web
community development. The industry's independent market leader with more
than one million domestic homes passed by wired cable, OSS markets i2u, a
proprietary product and service that enables organizations -- whether they are
cable operators, media outlets or educational institutions and associations
-- to deliver high-speed Internet access and interactive Web services.
Microsoft Corporation features OSS as a successful case study showcasing the
success of i2u, which is the only broadband solution, built exclusively on
Microsoft technologies. OSS' clients include: Bresnan Communications,
InterMedia Partners, MVS.NET, Peak Cablevision, Rapid Communications,
Tele-Communications, Inc., American Telecasting Inc., RE/MAX International and
Rockwell Federal Credit Union.
Information and statements in this report, other than historical
information, should be considered forward-looking and reflect management's
current views of future events and financial performance that involve a number
of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially include, but are not limited to, the following: general economic
conditions and developments within the Internet and Intranet industries;
product development and technology changes; competition and pricing pressures;
length of the sales cycle; variability of sale order flow and management
growth.
CONTACT: Elizabeth Kosztolnyik, Director, Marketing Communications of
Online System Services, Inc., 303-296-9200, or liz@ossinc.net; or Sarah
Blackmun of Durand Communications, Inc., 805-962-2900, ext. 109, or
sblackmun@durand.com; or Robert B. Prag, Senior Vice President of Liviakis
Financial Communications, Inc., 916-448-6084, for Online System Services, Inc.
SOURCE Online System Services, Inc.
-0- 01/08/99
/CONTACT: Elizabeth Kosztolnyik, Director, Marketing Communications of
Online System Services, Inc., 303-296-9200, or liz@ossinc.net; or Sarah
Blackmun of Durand Communications, Inc., 805-962-2900, ext. 109, or
sblackmun@durand.com; or Robert B. Prag, Senior Vice President of Liviakis
Financial Communications, Inc., 916-448-6084, for Online System Services,
Inc./
/Web site: feminist.org
/Web site: alphacollege.net
/Web site: ossinc.net
Companies or Securities discussed in this article:
Symbol Name
NASDAQ:WEBB Online System Svcs Inc
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