Books That Work Introduces New Advertising Vehicle Using the Internet: The Digital Collections Program; A New Way to Bring Home Furnishing Manufacturers' Product Information to Consumers via the World Wide Web.

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 7, 1996--Books That Work, the leader in home and garden consumer software, introduces Digital Collections, a new technology for consumers to "try before they buy" and a powerful way for home furnishing manufacturers to advertise their products.

Using Books That Work's latest 3D design software product, Visual Home, you can create home designs with expandable collections of real appliances, furniture, cabinets and fixtures. For the first time, home design software users can use the Internet to access Collections of new furniture, textures, and even sample floorplans. With Digital Collections, customers actually include real products into their virtual remodeling designs. As a result, the Digital Collections Program gives advertisers direct access to these highly self-selecting customers. Home furnishing manufacturers can put product information where it counts -- on the consumers own drawing board. Visual Home is available on CD-ROM for Windows at retail computer and software stores nationwide for around $60.00.

"The Digital Collections Program offers unique benefits to both consumers and advertisers. With a steady supply of new data easily available on the Internet, customers get powerful remodeling and redecorating software that is never out of date," said Dan Levin, President of Books That Work. "Manufacturers get the chance to put product information in the hands of active remodelers just as they are designing their projects -- an extremely focused and powerful advertising vehicle."

Ease of Use

Distributed on a CD-ROM or over the Internet, Digital Collections are easy to install, and become fully integrated with the Visual Home user interface. A group of manufacturer's Collections are delivered pre-installed on the CD. More are available for quick, free download from the Visual Home Web site (www.visualhome.com).

Digital Collections transcend conventional advertising because manufacturers can deliver their products in the same form that Books That Work delivers its generic examples. Users select all components from visual menus and can freely substitute generics with branded items. This means that consumers can try multiple brands and confirm that each item fits their space -- and their budget.

Significance to Manufacturers

Manufacturers strive to reach potential customers before they head to retailers to make purchases. For the first time, manufacturers can put comprehensive product information, including available sizes, materials, colors, options and much more in the hands of a highly targeted group of customers. And customers get their first chance to design real products into their homes, kitchens or baths - in real, available, sizes and colors. The product specs also include a URL that links the customer directly to the advertiser's site on the World Wide Web.

Who is Involved

Participating Companies       Products
-----------------------       --------
General Electric              Appliances
Merillat                      Cabinets
KraftMaid                     Cabinets
Kindred                       Sinks
Delta                         Faucets
Peerless                      Faucets
Thermador                     Appliances
Amerock                       Cabinet knobs and pulls
Hot Springs                   Spas
Aqua Glass                    Tubs and showers
Weiser Locks                  Locks

More About Books That Work

Books That Work, based in Palo Alto, CA, is the leading developer of 3D design and visualization software for the home and garden. Books That Work's award-winning library of products include Visual Home, 3D Landscape, 3D Kitchen, 3D Deck, Home Improvement Encyclopedia, and Garden Encyclopedia. To order products, phone [phone] or 415-326-4280. For more information, contact Books That Work, 2595 East Bayshore Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303. Main number: 415-326-4280. Visit the Books That Work Web site at http://www.btw.com. Books That Work also publishes home and garden content on the Internet at http://homecentral.com and http://gardening.com.

CONTACT: Books That Work

Laura Grams, 415/843-4441

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