CLEAR Net Launches Envision Ebusiness Solutions

New Zealand's leading business ISP expands application hosting suite

CLEAR Net today launched Envision, a suite of ebusiness solutions delivered over the Internet.

Envision, developed in partnership with Compaq, includes a NZ-first Intranet solution and a mail and messaging solution based on Microsoft technology, both outsourced via an application hosting model.

CLEAR Net manager Drew Gilpin says Envision is ideal for small-to-medium businesses looking for flexible, advanced business infrastructure without the need for specialist in-house IT expertise and expensive equipment.

The first products, already being used by trial customers, are:
* Intranet - enabling access to and sharing of documents, event information, internal and external contact details, announcements
* and Microsoft Exchange - including Microsoft Outlook 2000 and Microsoft Outlook Web Access offering email, tasks, group calendars and contact sharing.

Enhancements and new products will be introduced every few months and most upgrades will be included in the monthly fee.

Mr Gilpin says there has been a lot of hype about application hosting in the past year. "We've focussed on real customer solutions that require a robust environment," he says. "We're building on the credible ASP solutions we've already delivered to the market."

It is the first time that an ISP has offered a hosted Intranet package. Mr Gilpin says it will appeal to those companies who recognise the business advantages of having an Intranet, yet baulk at the typical $50,000-plus price tag.

"Our Intranet costs up to $9.95 per user per month, and you can update it whenever and as often you want," he says.

Mr Gilpin says Envision complements CLEAR's existing hosted applications such as its eprocurement partnership with e://volution, called Trading Point, its credit card verification service PaySafe, and its involvement with Unisys ASP Solutions. CLEAR and Unisys will continue to collaborate in the ASP field, selling each other's services and providing seamless management and integration of their solutions and services.

CLEAR also has a wide range of other services to support Envision users, such as high-speed Internet access and managed network services.

Envision's customers already include accountancy firm Nicholas Associates, finance company Loan Plan, IT company Greenwood Technology and Ports of Auckland.

Further details are available at the web site http://envision.clear.net.nz or by phoning tollfree 0508 ENVISION (0508 368 474).

ENDS

For further information contact Rochelle Lockley Communications Manager - Commercial CLEAR Communications Ph: (09) 912 4104 Office Ph: (021) 763 784 Mobile

Envision Case Study
Terry Nicholas, Nicholas Associates 4

Terry Nicholas, a Director of the Chartered Accountancy firm Nicholas Associates, has put big business tools at the fingertips of his six staff with Envision's Microsoft Exchange platform.

Terry says he can check his emails, look up a contact and arrange team meetings from home or when working in a client's office - using his laptop computer or any other available computer.

Envision has been able to provide the speed and security that Nicholas Associates, which handles sensitive customer information, requires. They now have access to corporate- grade applications without the costs of purchasing servers or software or hiring the staff to manage it.

A major advantage is the removal of the need to back up emails on individual PCs. The CLEAR Net Envision servers are backed up daily and are housed in secure temperature-controlled data centres protected from earthquakes, fire and flood. The facility also has onsite power generation and battery backup. This provides a level of system security and availability normally well beyond the reach of most businesses in New Zealand.

With a high-speed Internet connection from CLEAR, Terry and his staff are enjoying real-time email and collaboration services along with fast Internet access. The company is now adding the Intranet solution, transferring office manuals and procedures on to the centralised system.

"I can see Intranets like this being used as a really effective office-wide tool, with templates for employment contracts, terms of trade, supply agreements and so on," says Terry. Rate cards, phone lists and all company documentation can all be located in one central place where it is easily accessed by all staff, regardless of location. It is also easily managed by a member of Terry's team through Envision's web-based administration system.

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