AT&T Announces Commitment to Serve Customers Over the Internet.BASKING RIDGE, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 17, 1997-- New Internet See Web 2.0 and Internet2. Features Will Enable Customers to Learn About, Purchase and Pay For AT&T Products and Services From Company Web Site AT&T today announced a broad Internet Internet Publicly accessible computer network connecting many smaller networks from around the world. It grew out of a U.S. Defense Department program called ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network), established in 1969 with connections between computers at the initiative that will enable its residential and business customers to take full advantage of the electronic commerce benefits available on the World Wide Web. Customers will be able to learn about and order AT&T products and services, pay bills securely over the Internet and access customer care electronically -- simply by visiting the AT&T Web site (www.att.com). The first phase of this initiative begins today, with the unveiling of two electronic catalogs for residential and small-business customers on the Internet. Both electronic catalogs incorporate advanced features, including search functions and a virtual shopping Virtual shopping is a form of e-commerce giving the ability for individuals to shop remotely via a computer network connection, normally on the Internet using the World Wide Web. cart, making it easy for Internet users Internet user n → internauta m/f Internet user Internet n → internaute m/f to find and purchase the AT&T products and services they want. "AT&T is committed to meeting the needs of customers who want to communicate and conduct business with us using the Internet," stated Dan Schulman, vice president of AT&T's Consumer Markets Division. "These electronic catalogs are the first interactive and customized packaging features we will offer on the Web. We want to redefine Verb 1. redefine - give a new or different definition to; "She redefined his duties" define, delimit, delimitate, delineate, specify - determine the essential quality of 2. customer service, and make `www.att.com' a great place to handle both personal and business activities -- from demonstrating our latest products to paying household bills." The electronic catalogs have been designed to provide the highest level of customer service, allowing users to learn about and purchase AT&T products and services, while offering them opportunities to demo demo - /de'moh/ 1. A demonstration of a product, often of an early version or prototype. A demo is a far more effective way of inducing bugs to manifest themselves than any number of test runs, especially when important people are watching. 2. demo version. 3. products and interact with customer care agents via e-mail. A prime example of the company's commitment to advancing customer service on the Internet is the AT&T Shopper, an interactive tool incorporated into the residential consumer catalog catalog, descriptive list, on cards or in a book, of the contents of a library. Assurbanipal's library at Nineveh was cataloged on shelves of slate. The first known subject catalog was compiled by Callimachus at the Alexandrian Library in the 3d cent. B.C. that helps customers identify which AT&T products and services are right for them based on their lifestyle priorities. The AT&T Shopper asks Internet users to describe themselves by selecting phrases that best characterize their lifestyles and communications needs. Upon submitting their descriptions, which range from "I have a child in college" to "I want one easy-to-read monthly phone bill," customers receive an online roster of suggested products and services that best address the their specifications. The process for purchasing a product or service from the electronic catalogs is simple. For example, residential customers can read about an AT&T product, add it to their shopping cart, see the total products they have chosen, confirm their order and then checkout. Customers fill in their personal information only once throughout their shopping visit. The electronic catalogs are one of many new enhancements to the AT&T Web site that will be introduced by the AT&T Interactive Group, a newly-formed unit within AT&T devoted to developing innovative and customer-focused Internet services. Other new enhancements unveiled today on the AT&T home page include Web site reviews by best-selling best·sell·er also best seller n. A product, such as a book, that is among those sold in the largest numbers. best author Harley Hahn and a remote user bar, which can be detached de·tached adj. 1. Separated; disconnected. 2. Standing apart from others; separate. , placed on one's desktop and used as a rapid searching mechanism. "After launching AT&T WorldNet(R) Service, AT&T rapidly became the nation's leading direct Internet service provider Internet service provider (ISP) Company that provides Internet connections and services to individuals and organizations. For a monthly fee, ISPs provide computer users with a connection to their site (see data transmission), as well as a log-in name and password. ," added Schulman. "It's only natural that we lay down the foundation for creating the Internet's premier destination for rapid communications solutions." In the first half of 1998, the AT&T Interactive Group will roll out features on the AT&T Web site that will allow customers to view and pay their bills securely over the Internet and choose from an expanded array of products and services offered by AT&T and other companies. Other enhancements, including live interaction with customer care agents, will be added to the AT&T Web site next year. About AT&T Corp. AT&T Corp. is the world's premier communications and information services See Information Systems. company, serving more than 90 million customers, including consumers, businesses and government. The company has annual revenues of more than $52 billion and 130,000 employees. It runs the world's largest, most sophisticated communications network The transmission channels interconnecting all client and server stations as well as all supporting hardware and software. and is the leading provider of long-distance, wireless services and direct Internet access See how to access the Internet. . AT&T operates in more than 200 countries around the world. AT&T WorldNet is a registered service mark of AT&T CONTACT: AT&T, Basking Ridge Jonathan Varman, 908/658-5383 Home: 908/595-0346 Page: 800/865-9460, pin 2060 E-mail: jvarman@att.net or Mark Siegel, 908/221-8422 Home: 201/989-1101 E-mail: masiegel@attmail.com |
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