One More Reason to Skip the Malls This Christmas: With Userplane Instant Communicator, E-Tailer CoolestShop.com First to Bring Online Commerce to Life via Live Streaming Video

Business Wire, Dec 3, 2003

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 3, 2003

As online retailers gird for what is expected to be their biggest Christmas season ever, Userplane (www.userplane.com) -- a pioneer in applying Flash-based instant messaging to support live communications for Web-based communities -- today announced that it has provided CoolestShop.com, a trendy Internet-based clothing and shoe store, with online sales support to the company's growing customer base via video and audio instant communication. CoolestShop.com is the first and only e-tailer to offer customers live video and audio to support online sales.

Userplane's Instant Communicator(TM), the next generation instant messenger, gives CoolestShop.com customers support through visual web commerce by streaming live audio and video through a Flash MX based client. Userplane's use of Macromedia Flash technology for both front-end and back-end functions supplies CoolestShop.com with complete design flexibility, one-click access for the vast majority of users, simple integration of audio and video, and support for both PC and Macintosh platforms.

By using Userplane Instant Communicator, customers can experience an online shopping experience closely resembling that of a brick-and-mortar store, complete with client services such as product demonstrations, real-time responses to customer inquiries, and even the opportunity to offer second opinions and feedback. Equipped with a webcam, CoolestShop.com customers experience browsing and shopping through the Internet, with live support and service.

Like brick-and-mortar retailing, online sales tend to peak during the fourth quarter. The e-tail sector enters this holiday season in strong shape: retail sales over the Internet reached $13.3 billion in the U.S. during the third quarter, according to the Commerce Department -- a 6.6 percent increase from the prior period. Internet sales jumped 27 percent from the like period a year earlier, which was significantly more than the offline growth rate of 6.1 percent. Online revenues now account for 1.5 percent of total retail sales, more than double Q4 1999.

Taking eCommerce to the Next Level

With the integration of the Userplane application, CoolestShop.com has been able to take eCommerce to the next level. "Our goal was to increase the human element on our website and offer our online users the same level of service they would receive at a store," said Garth Marriott, principal, CoolestShop.com. "Working with Userplane further expands our product portfolio, and allows customers another way to gain access to us. Thanks to Userplane Instant Communicator, the personal support has led to a growing customer base, increased customer loyalty, higher consumer conversion rates, and ultimately, increased average order amounts."

"CoolestShop.com's customer service capabilities further enhance Userplane's already robust suite of online communication service offerings," said Michael Jones, president, Userplane. "By presenting CoolestShop.com an online sales support feature via Userplane Instant Communicator, the company stays a step ahead of the competition providing customers with a personal video shopping experience -- an extraordinary benefit during this hectic shopping season. Userplane Instant Communicator is the ideal solution for companies that want to turn Web site visits into actual sales while also improving customer service." With the success of CoolestShop.com's integration, Userplane will expand marketing of its Instant Communication Suite to online businesses.

"Live online sales support is definitely the next wave of e-tailing," said Thomas Anthony, MadMerch, a Los Angeles online product distributor. "We are planning on integrating it as an option in the new release of MadMerch 2.0 later this year."

About Userplane

Userplane (www.userplane.com) is a pioneer in applying Flash-based instant messaging to support live communications for Web-based communities. Based in Los Angeles, the company is emerging as an innovator in enterprise community messaging that enables a broad range of Web sites to run branded messaging applications -- from video messaging for medical professionals to online dating interaction. Using Macromedia's Flash Communication Server MX technology, Userplane's Instant Communicator product suite enables those in corporate, community, dating, and collaborative web environments to see and hear each other, increasing communication and understanding. Userplane additionally provides custom Internet software application development services, aimed at solving client business challenges and meeting business needs with a proven process and innovative and intelligent software design. The company is based in Los Angeles.