HP Announces HP Commerce Center; First Computer Manufacturer Site to Sell to Small Businesses Through Trusted Reseller Channel

Business Wire, Nov 24, 1997

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 24, 1997-- Hewlett-Packard Company today introduced the first phase of its commercial electronic-commerce (e-commerce) strategy with the HP Commerce Center, a Web site (www.interactive.hp.com/hpcc) that allows small businesses to purchase products online through the reseller channel. The pilot program, which launches with 12 HP authorized resellers, ensures that small-business customers who purchase products online receive the service and support required to leverage technology to help them grow their businesses.

Through the HP Commerce Center, customers can perform product research and purchase a variety of products, including HP network servers, printers and the recently introduced HP Brio personal computers, which were developed for the small/medium business workplace. Designed to make online buying convenient and compelling, the HP Commerce Center delivers a wealth of instantly accessible detailed product information to assist in purchasing decisions.

"The HP Commerce Center ushers in the e-commerce era for HP with a unique online selling approach that leverages our existing reseller channel," said Rebecca Green, North America e-commerce manager for HP. "E-commerce presents a new purchasing medium for our customers -- we're anxious to hear their feedback and implement any improvements that will ensure an enjoyable and satisfying buying experience."

Purchasing products online through the HP Commerce Center is an easy three-step process -- select a product, select a reseller and check out. After customers make their product selections by clicking on icons, their selections appear in their "shopping carts." Next, customers can get information about HP resellers and purchase products from the resellers that best meet their requirements -- from installing a system to building a custom business solution.

"With the emerging trend in e-commerce, the HP Commerce Center is leading the way in providing small businesses with the best of all worlds -- the convenience of purchasing online through the reseller of their choice," said Peter Meyer, assistant sales manager at Computer Mart. "By incorporating resellers into their e-commerce strategy, HP provides customers with the value-added benefits of the reseller as well as offers resellers new sales opportunities."

The HP Commerce Center is expected to evolve based on customer feedback. HP plans to offer additional features and functionality, including electronic financing, an expanded list of authorized resellers and a wider variety of products. HP also intends to use the HP Commerce Center as the springboard for selling an even broader range of commercial solutions via the Internet.

The initial group of HP resellers participating in the site launch was selected based on their experience in e-commerce and focus on the small-business market. Resellers are required to have established online capabilities as well as dedicated telephone representatives to assist HP Commerce Center customers who require further information about their orders or additional products.

Resellers participating in the rollout include mail-order channel partner CDW Computer Centers; national retailer CompUSA; regional resellers/value-added resellers Computer Biz Inc., CHMC (Computer Hardware Maintenance Company), Computer Mart, Computerland of Boise, Dataflex Corp., Computer Solutions of San Antonio, Lewan & Associates, Technology Integration Group, PC Systems Design and Western New York Computing Systems.

ABOUT HP

HP is the official information-technology hardware and maintenance supplier to the 1998 World Cup soccer tournament.

Hewlett-Packard Company is a leading global provider of computing, Internet and intranet solutions, services, communications products and measurement solutions, all of which are recognized for excellence in quality and support. HP has 121,900 employees and had revenue of $42.9 billion in its 1997 fiscal year.

Information about HP and its products can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.hp.com . Users can go directly to the HP Commerce Center at http://www.interactive.hp.com/hpcc or to HP's Small Business Web Resource Center at http://www.hp.com/go/smallbiz .

CONTACT: Hewlett-Packard

LaVon Peck, 408/345-8406

lavon_peck@hp.com

or

Eastwick Communications

Wendy Grubow, 408/620-1415

wendy@eastwick.com