Encanto Networks Launches e.go Commerce, Bringing the Internet and eCommerce to Small Business

Business Wire, Dec 10, 1997

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 10, 1997--

Encanto Networks Collaborates with Industry Leaders to Offer a

Complete Hardware, Software, and Services Solution for Internet

Electronic Commerce

Encanto Networks, Inc. today revolutionized the electronic commerce market with the launch of its e.go Commerce webstation, Instant Connect services, and CommerceWAVE, Inc. based payment services.

e.go Commerce is the industry's first Java Web server to deliver a complete Internet electronic commerce solution at a cost and complexity appropriate for small business. e.go Commerce can run a business Web site in 30 minutes, quickly taking orders and receiving payment from catalog of goods and services easily created by the owner.

At $1295, e.go Commerce is a complete and fully integrated hardware, software and services solution provided at less than the cost of most catalog or payment software products. More than an Internet storefront, e.go Commerce delivers a complete Web server, Internet access and electronic commerce solution for a small business.

It uses Encanto's Instant Connect service to provide an always-available Web server connection, Internet browser access and basic management services over a standard telephone line starting at $49.95 per month. e.go Commerce with ISDN sells for $1395 and has a companion service at $79.95 per month.

Encanto's partners, some of the best-known and most innovative companies in electronic commerce, bring powerful technology, services and support to complete the e.go Commerce offering.

"Encanto's e.go Commerce incorporates everything necessary for a small business to move to the Web -- hardware, software, connection, Internet access, and most importantly, a catalog with VeriFone and CyberCash payment solutions. The VeriFone vPOS solution is linked to Wells Fargo Bank through CommerceWAVE," said Bob Frankenberg, Encanto President and CEO. "Working with these electronic commerce leaders we have eliminated complexity, reduced the time and investment needed to get into business on the Web, and opened the net to small business."

Making Internet Commerce Easy - Web Store and Internet Set Up

Web storefronts are created and maintained with an Encanto Store builder without the need for technical experts. The creation process is guided by easy-to-understand browser screens that help the user develop product descriptions including product photos and images, manage product pricing, and calculate and charge sales taxes, shipping and handling charges. To assist the user in maintaining their Web store, e.go Commerce provides back-office administration tools for checking sales orders, setting up product promotions, and determining shipping information.

In addition to its electronic commerce capabilities, e.go Commerce also delivers a complete Internet Business solution to small businesses. It includes the same software found in all e.go webstations to help small businesses and retailers create and maintain their own Web sites, Internet access, e-mail and news, Web site enhancement tools, and security.

Added capabilities of e.go Commerce include battery back-up to protect data, a JDBC compliant SQL database to store catalog and order information, and a 4-port Ethernet hub to connect additional employee personal computers or other devices such as shared printers.

Key Services from Encanto Partners

Encanto's e.go Commerce takes advantage of technology from software and electronic commerce leaders including: Wells Fargo, CyberCash, CommerceWAVE, and VeriFone. These companies provide key services needed to allow small business online storefronts, accept customer orders, and securely process credit card payment.

Encanto is working closely with Wells Fargo Bank and other financial institutions to enable e.go Commerce merchants to easily apply for and set up an Internet merchant bank account. e.go Commerce provides merchants with the option of using either the CyberCash or VeriFone Internet Payment solutions.

Consumer credit card orders are securely processed to the merchant's acquiring bank through an Internet Payment service provided by CommerceWAVE, Inc. CommerceWAVE manages the CyberCash or VeriFone software on behalf of the merchant, eliminating complexity.

"The introduction of e.go Commerce from Encanto Networks is a significant step in delivering an easy to use customer premise, electronic commerce solution that small businesses without their own MIS department can own and control themselves," said George Hoyem, Vice President and General Manager of VeriFone's Internet Commerce Division. "These businesses can now take advantage of VeriFone's industry leading vPOS product through the unique payment service offering of Encanto Networks and CommerceWAVE."

CyberCash will enable merchants with existing merchant acquiring relationships with any of the leading banks that it supports, to continue to receive the advantages of those relationships in cyberspace.

"We are excited to be working with Encanto and CommerceWAVE to provide merchants with the most widely used, most proven payment system on the Internet today," said Bill Melton, President and CEO of CyberCash. "We believe Encanto has brought together a package of technology and experience which sets a new standard for 'merchant friendliness'."