RCA Jazzes Up Web Site, Enhances Customer Service

Thomson Consumer Electronic has unveiled a new RCA website and has announced shipment and online availability of the RCA LYRA personal digital audio player at the companion LyraZone.com website. Further, Thomson Direct Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Thomson Consumer Electronics, has started online consumer sales and shipment of more than 100 models of TVs, DVD players, VCRs, camcorders, select audio/video accessories, the RCA Digital Cable Modem and audio products, including the new LYRA.
     The Indianapolis-based company says that through the new RCA site, consumers will be able to compare features, find a dealer, check out owner's manuals and buy products online. The site "will provide a valuable vehicle to position [the RCA] brand, products and support services directly to the consumer, which is an ideal way to develop a lifetime relationship, " says Mike O'Hara, senior vice president of Thomson Consumer Electronics.
     In addition to a Dealer Locator service, consumers will also have "instantaneous" access to more than 200 RCA product specification records for detailed comparisons, and warranty information and online warranty registration is another feature of RCA.com, the company says.
     US Interactive Inc., a Philadelphia-based Internet professional services company that helps organizations develop, build and run their electronic business, created and implemented the RCA.com and LyraZone.com sites.
     Also, eGain Communications, Sunnyvale, Calif., a provider of customer service infrastructure for e-commerce, has integrated the eGain Email Management System into RCA.com. Close to 100 agents at Thomson's Customer Care Center are using the eGain system to deliver online customer service, the companies say.