FIRST DATA OFFERS WEBSITE PROS AND KURANT E-BUSINESS SOLUTION TO MERCHANT SERVICES CLIENTS
Media Contacts:
Stephanie Edwards
Kurant Corporation
415-241-9150 x110
stephanie@kurant.com
Kevin Carney
WebsitePros, Inc.
904-680-6600
kcarney@websitepros.com
Rodney D Bell
First Data Merchant Services
214-224-3975
rodney.bell@firstdata.com
Award-Winning E-Business Solution also Replacing Excite@Home E-Business Product
DALLAS, SAN FRANCISCO and Jacksonville, Fla. – February 20, 2002 – First Data Merchant Services, a subsidiary of First Data Corp., has selected the joint e-business solution from Website Pros, Inc. and Kurant Corporation for inclusion in its suite of services for financial institutions and independent sales organizations. The solution will allow First Data clients to offer industry-leading e-business services, including web site development and e-commerce capabilities, to their small business merchants.
As part of the agreement, First Data will also replace its existing e-merchant services from Excite@Home with a combination of the NetObjects Matrix platform from Website Pros and award winning e-business software and services from Kurant. The move will provide continuing service for hundreds of merchants currently hosting their web sites or web stores with Excite when that company ceases operation later this month.
“This agreement goes beyond addressing the short-term needs of the Excite@Home merchants,” said Steven VanFleet, senior vice president of product development at First Data Merchant Services, the worldwide leader in electronic payment solutions. “The e-business service delivered by Kurant and Website Pros is important to our long-term strategy to enable merchants to create a dynamic, sophisticated web presence that positions them for success in the Internet economy.”
The new solution features Website Pros’ industry leading web design services based on NetObjects Matrix platform and Kurant’s award-winning StoreSenseÔ suite of e-business software and services. The solution will offer small businesses a full range of site-building and e-commerce functionality, beginning with catalog, shopping cart and real-time transaction processing and extending to high-end inventory management and sophisticated supply chain communication. The solution is compatible with First Data’s other merchant services, improving marketability and ease-of-use at the merchant level.
“We`re excited to bring First Data`s customers the power of the NetObjects Matrix platform, our award-winning web site production capabilities, and Kurant`s e-business suite," said David Brown, Chairman and CEO of Website Pros, Inc. “As small businesses increasingly turn to the Internet as a platform for commerce, it creates extraordinary opportunities for the organizations with the right combination of relationships, technology and services.”
“Today’s announcement underscores the strength of the Kurant-Website Pros solution, and launches a strong partnership moving forward,” said Curtis Pierce, CEO of Kurant.
According to San Francisco-based market research firm Keenan Vision, 28% of U.S. small businesses will use e-merchant services by the year 2006, up from just 6.7% in 2001. This growth represents a $39 billion opportunity for organizations that deliver e-merchant services.
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About First Data Merchant Services
First Data Merchant Services, a subsidiary of First Data Corp. (NYSE: FDC), annually processes and settles almost 9 billion transactions for more than $490 billion in sales volume from 2.8 million merchant locations. Through partnerships and relationships with leading financial institutions and independent sales organizations, First Data Merchant Services delivers industry leading electronic payment and e-commerce services and solutions. For more information, please visit www.firstdata.com.
About Kurant
Kurant Corporation provides software infrastructure that allows large corporations to deliver branded e-business services to their small and medium-sized business customers. Kurant’s award-winning flagship product, StoreSense, includes electronic commerce, mobile commerce, supply chain communication, and inventory and customer management. StoreSense is offered on a cost-effective subscription basis and runs on Windows 2000, Windows NT, Linux and Solaris platforms. Founded in 1996, San Francisco-based Kurant is privately held and has received investments from Deep River Ventures, Cobalt Networks, Garage Technology Ventures, Group One, and TransAtlantic Partners. For more information, contact Kurant at www.kurant.com or (888) 463-2696.
About Website Pros
Website Pros helps large companies build stronger, more profitable customer relationships with their small business customers. The company offers a comprehensive suite of web site design, customer support, and technology solutions tailored to the needs of the small business community. The company`s National Design Center -- which employs more than 150 web site designers, artists, and copywriters -- won Call Center Magazine`s Call Center of the Year in 2000 for excellence in customer service and technology. Based in Jacksonville, Florida, Website Pros, Inc., is privately held and is funded by Norwest Venture Partners, Crosspoint Venture Partners, Pivotal Asset Management, Chase Capital Partners, Verizon, PurchasePro.com, Office Depot, and Dell. Website Pros can be reached by calling 800-GET-SITE or on the Internet at www.websitepros.com.
NOTE: Brands and products referenced herein are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
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