InStranet Introduces Channels In-Line Application
 
New Solution helps Marketing and Sales Teams Automatically Segment Audiences, Deliver Relevant Information, Track Usage and Monitor the Results
 
NEW YORK, December 10, 2002 -- InStranet, Inc., provider of Content-Based Applications for the Enterprise, today announced the release of its Channels In-Line Application (CIL), the first enterprise software application designed to automate the content-rich processes of distributing targeted time-sensitive marketing information such as promotions, new product collateral, and price lists to diverse multi-tiered distribution channels. Targeted to telecommunications marketers, technology companies, retail firms and the financial services market, CIL also collects user feedback from the point-of-sale, and includes unique built-in analytics, which actually monitor and measure the impact of marketing content usage on sales.

"Traditional hannel distribution methods like faxes, email, and postal mail are time-consuming and costly, and other web based solutions provide no way of segmenting the recipients and monitoring the usage of content at the user-level," says Alex Dayon, president and chief executive officer at InStranet. "This means vital marketing materials such as promotional plans, product data sheets, price lists, commission plans and sales training materials are not always leveraged at the point-of-sale. This results in a lack of sales readiness and marketing initiative effectiveness in regards to the rollout of promotional campaigns or the introduction of new products and services."

Channels In-Line is the first application to address these industry-specific challenges. The result of many years working with customers in high technology, retail and telecommunications industries, InStranet's channels In-Line application leverages content management functionality and intranets/extranets to automate the best practice business processes of securely creating, segmenting and delivering targeted marketing materials to a diverse network of sales channels and retail outlets.

Using a content engine in combination with user-profile security rules, CIL automatically filters recipients' content access based on customizable factors such as job title, market focus, store affiliation, location, size, rating and language. By being able to instantly segment these diverse audiences at the point-of-sale, the correct end-users automatically receive only the relevant information they should see for action. With Channels In-Line, marketing departments can deliver a region-specific promotional campaign to a particular chain of retail stores in a particular geography, while simultaneously delivering a different version of the same content to another sales channel. The CIL application also provides channel-specific schedules of future initiatives and reminders so that distribution channels fully leverage content-oriented communications.

In addition to ensuring that the right audiences receive the correct marketing, sales and operational information in a timely manner, Channels In-Line also allows headquarters to observe who is or isn't using what information. CIL includes a feature that allows marketing executives to measure the impact of operational content usage on a wide range of sales-related activities. Further, the application solicits feedback from the field or channel, thereby helping headquarters evaluate the success of local initiatives by monitoring and responding to market-specific challenges such as regional competitive offerings.

"We have been very impressed with the unique applications focus of the InStranet product suite and team," says Jon Crossley, vice president, Americas TELECOM MEDIA NETWORKS at Cap Gemini Ernst & Young, a leading IT and management consulting organization. "InStranet has successfully created applications that will help our clients develop and deliver information to their complex sales channels. InStranet's focus on business processes and workflows help our clients build stronger brand recognition and as a result, enable us to ensure successful client engagements."

Channels In-Line is completely Web-based, providing the point-of-sale with fast and easy access to content while reducing information distribution costs. The application's built-in management of direct and indirect sales channels ensures the consistent application of initiatives across channels, thereby increasing revenue while simultaneously reducing operational costs. Additionally, companies retain and enhance valuable channel relationships by offering the right people at the point-of-sale organized access to all the information they need regarding products, services, promotions, schedules, etc.

InStranet is a worldwide leader of multi-channel knowledge business applications. Global 2000 companies rely on InStranet's solutions to automate content and knowledge delivery for contact centers, field sales and Web self-care for servicing and sales initiatives. InStranet's Multi-Channel Knowledge Applications enable businesses to securely create, manage and deploy critical profile-based content for enterprise channels, and to analyze results to identify key successes or areas for improvement.

InStranet applications are currently deployed in many high-profile global enterprises, including 3M, AXA, BNP Paribas, Credit Lyonnais, France Telecom, Manpower, Orange, and Zurich North America. Global partners include Aspect Communications, BEA Systems, Genesys, IBM, Oracle, and Sun Microsystems. InStranet is headquartered in Chicago with offices in Paris, and technology and distribution partnerships throughout Europe and Asia.

For more information, contact:

InStranet, Inc.
InStranet EMEA
Andrew Zinger
(312) 629-4577
azinger@instranet.com