HEAT Division Announces `PowerDesk' With Online Support by Ask Jeeves; Easy-to-Use Software has Help Desk Up and Running in Hours; Makes Tech's Job Easier

Business Wire, Nov 13, 2000

Business Editors & High Tech Writers

COMDEX Fall 2000

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 13, 2000

In an effort to improve help desk service and support issues, FrontRange HEAT Division Inc. today announced the release of HEAT(R) PowerDesk(TM) software, targeted at growing organizations.

HEAT PowerDesk is so simple to install and use, the help desk will be up and running in hours. Ask Jeeves powers a natural language technical support page where HEAT PowerDesk customers can go to find answers to frequently asked questions about the software. Jeeves Relevant Answers(SM) directs HEAT PowerDesk customers to the answers they need for support questions such as, "Will my PowerDesk software run on Windows 2000?" and "How do I initiate a HEATBoard Linked Call?" The combination of high-level functionality and powerful back-end support promises to make the support tech's job a lot easier.

"This new product really fills the gap for growing organizations. It gives us a comprehensive package to track help desk issues," said Stephen Zelczak, IT manager, Lowry Redevelopment Authority, Denver, Colo.

With licenses for three concurrent technicians, PowerDesk will revolutionize the way a smaller organization runs its IT department -- converting a home-grown system into an automated call logging and tracking system.

"In the rarified world of higher-end service and support products, smaller organizations are often overlooked while they really have many of the same support requirements," said Edwin Gear, HEAT Division president. "Customers told us they wanted an affordable easy-to-use product with web-based support and full scalability to HEAT when needed. PowerDesk offers powerful knowledge content which ultimately enhances the ability of these organizations to deliver effective customer service and support."

The following features are key to Power Desk's superior performance:

-- Auto Tasking -- lets the technician group and perform several tasks with a
single keystroke (such as sending e-mails or printing work orders).

-- Quick Features -- Quick Calls, Quick Assignments and Quick Journals give the
tech the ability to define simple, repetitive tasks that can be completed with
a single click.

-- HEATBoard Linked Calls -- saves time and work by allowing multiple calls to
be linked to an issue, updated and closed automatically.

-- Comprehensive Reporting Tools -- Answer Wizard(TM) -- offers convenient
pre-defined reports and a "consultant in a box" to help technicians and
managers get the right answers.

-- An Easy Upgrade Path -- to HEAT(R) Service Optimization Solutions(TM)
(HEATsos(TM)).

"Jeeves Relevant Answers is an ideal fit for FrontRange," said Sean Murphy, vice president of products at Ask Jeeves. "We have enjoyed a lot of success in providing support solutions for powerful software applications such as HEAT PowerDesk. Natural language support helps make this software easier to use and maintain, adding tremendous value and efficiency for their customers."

PowerDesk is based on HEAT's award-winning software, capturing the Users Choice Award two years in a row.(a) PowerDesk is supported on the following Microsoft platforms: 95/98/2000/NT and the Millennium Edition. Offered at $995 (including online question answering support powered by Ask Jeeves), PowerDesk starts shipping in mid-December and is part of a product line called HEAT(R)ServiceDesk Solutions(TM) (HEATsds). Ordering is easy by calling: 800/693-2513. For an advanced look at PowerDesk and a downloadable demo, go to: www.heatsds.com.

About Ask Jeeves Inc.

Ask Jeeves is a leading provider of intuitive, intelligent question answering technologies and services to deliver a humanized online experience. Ask Jeeves' solutions enable companies to convert online shoppers to buyers, reduce support costs, understand customer preferences and improve customer retention. Ask Jeeves also syndicates its solutions to portals, infomediaries, and content and destination sites to help companies increase e-commerce and advertising revenue. Ask Jeeves deploys its solutions on Ask Jeeves at Ask.com, Ask Jeeves for Kids at AJKids.com and DirectHit.com, to help companies target and acquire qualified prospects online and to provide consumers with real-time access to information, products and services. For more information, visit http://www.ask.com or call 510/985-7400.

About FrontRange Solutions Inc. (formerly GoldMine Software Corp.)

Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo., FrontRange Solutions is a leading provider of customer relationship management, internal service and support and e-business solutions that allow small to medium-sized organizations to compete with enterprise-sized corporations.

The company sells its products and services through a direct sales force, value-added resellers and other distribution partners. For more information on FrontRange Solutions' CRM products, contact the FrontRange GoldMine Division at 800/654-3526, FAX 310/454-4848. For more information on FrontRange Solutions' HEAT(R) family of products, contact the FrontRange HEAT Division at 800/776-7889, FAX 719/536-0620 or visit www.frontrange.com. For more information on FrontRange Solutions' Maestro Commerce Division please call 630/455-6300, FAX 630/455-6370 or visit www.frontrange.com.