CommerceNet Restructures Subscriber Membership, Making it Easier for Small Businesses to Participate in Consortium; New Hosting Services Also Available to Subscribers Interested in Outsourcing Internet Storefront.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 10, 1995--CommerceNet, a consortium of companies whose mission is to accelerate the use of the Internet for electronic commerce, today announced changes in its Subscriber program that will make membership in the consortium more affordable for small businesses.

In addition, CommerceNet announced that it is now offering a hosting service option that will enable subscribers to outsource their Internet presence, posting collateral and other corporate information on a World Wide Web server maintained by an Internet service provider.

As part of the program restructuring, CommerceNet has also made one-day "Getting Started" tutorials -- originally built into the cost of subscriber membership -- an optional offering, priced separately. These tutorials are designed to help companies better understand how to construct and maintain an Internet presence. By "modularizing" the subscriber program, CommerceNet has been able to lower the annual cost of subscriber participation from $1,250 to $400, with a one-time start-up charge of $250.

"We have restructured the subscriber program so that small companies can choose exactly what they need, without incurring the cost of options they may not need," said Tom Masotto, Manager of CommerceNet's Subscriber Program. "For a much lower annual fee, small businesses can enjoy the benefits of participation in CommerceNet, including a listing on the CommerceNet server, the premier World Wide Web site for information on Internet-based electronic commerce."

Basic Subscriber membership in CommerceNet includes a listing in the CommerceNet Subscriber Directory with a link to the subscriber's home page; an indexed business description which will allow CommerceNet visitors to search for subscribers; a basic HTML (hypertext markup language) starter kit which includes templates for home pages, product catalogs, and brochures; and a summary of Internet business books and publications.

CommerceNet has contracted with two companies, InterNex-Tiara and Online Computer Market, to provide the new hosting services offered to subscribers. The hosting service option costs $600 per year and includes: One megabyte of disk space on a server that is connected to the Internet; the ability to place and update information on the host computer; technical administration of the hosting server; and periodic delivery of access reports sent via electronic mail.

The Getting Started tutorials offered by CommerceNet to subscribers cost $250 per person, per class, and are designed to help companies understand how to take advantage of the vast resources of the Internet. These one-day tutorials cover topics such as the World Wide Web, Mosaic, HTML and Web design. Getting Started tutorials will be offered frequently throughout the year in a variety of locations.

Information on subscriber participation in CommerceNet can be obtained by sending e-mail to [e-mail], or by calling CommerceNet at 415/617-8790.

About CommerceNet

CommerceNet is a consortium of companies and organizations whose charter is to facilitate the development and use of an open Internet-based marketplace for electronic commerce applications. Consortium members include leading companies in the electronics, computer, financial service and information service industries, and other companies and organizations committed to electronic commerce.

By encouraging and enabling the spread of electronic commerce, the consortium seeks to revolutionize numerous industries (such as electronics, software and information services) by making interactions between customers, suppliers and development partners as efficient as interactions among internal departments.

CommerceNet's efforts will benefit participants in many ways -- for example, by shortening procurement cycles through online catalogs, ordering and payment; cutting costs on both stock and manufactured parts through competitive bidding; and identifying new distribution and marketing channels through the unique opportunities enabled by the Internet.

Information on how to participate in CommerceNet can be obtained by calling 415/617-8790, or by sending e-mail to [e-mail]. CommerceNet's URL is http://www.commerce.net.

CONTACT: Corman/Croel Marketing & Communications

Patrick Corman/Lisa Croel, 415/326-9648 or 415/326-0487

E-mail: [e-mail] or [e-mail]