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Firepond's SalesPerformer 2002 Enhances Amada's Lead-To-Order Process with Powerful Product Information
Web sales configuration system, called e-Amada, improves customer satisfaction
MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 10, 2002-- Firepond (Nasdaq: FIRE - News), a leading provider of software systems that optimize the process of converting leads
into orders, announced today that Amada, Japan's top sheet metal fabrication machinery company, has selected Firepond's SalesPerformer(TM) 2002 system. Amada is
leveraging Firepond's advanced product configuration technology to power a new online customer initiative called "e-Amada" designed to more quickly identify
customer needs and improve customer satisfaction.
For Amada, the web has become an important channel for delivering valuable and timely information about its entire range of products, such as precision bending machines,
high-speed punching machines, laser cutting machines, and other related equipment. To provide customers with the very latest, most accurate product information, Amada
chose Firepond's intelligent configuration engine to power a customized web interface. The combined system identifies customer requirements based on an online needs
analysis questionnaire and delivers product recommendations and related information through an electronic catalog.
"Our strategic focus is on one-to-one marketing and improving our process of turning leads into orders," said Mr. Yuji Takeuchi, Executive Vice President of
Amada. "We are impressed by the ability of Firepond's solution to handle the complexity of our product data, and also by the expertise of their professional staff."
Amada's goal is to share product information with its customers wherever they are using an interactive, user-friendly interface. Doing so allows Amada to show its customers
how to increase their competitiveness by delivering proposals for products that meet their specific requirements. The benefit to Amada is the ability to deliver product
information directly to customers which results in shortened sales cycles and improved customer satisfaction.
"For manufacturers of complex goods like Amada, the web can be a powerful medium for gathering customer requirements and providing product information,"
stated Klaus Besier, Firepond Chairman and CEO. "What companies like Amada are helping us prove in the market is that Firepond's advanced configuration
technology can simplify the way manufacturers deliver complex product information. Our SalesPerformer system optimizes the entire `lead-to-order' process, but the core
value is its ability to optimize the management of complex product and pricing data. We are pleased to have Amada as a new customer and look forward to working with
them to achieve their goal of improved customer satisfaction by improving the availability of accurate product information."
About Firepond, Inc.
Firepond, Inc. (www.firepond.com) is a leading provider of intelligent front-office software systems that help companies more profitably turn leads into orders - whether they
sell through a direct sales force, an indirect channel network or via the web. The company's SalesPerformer(TM) system guides sales people, channel partners and
customers through the entire "lead-to-order" business process - delivering lead management, needs analysis, product and pricing configuration, proposal and
quote generation and order capture.
Companies that manufacture complex goods or maintain complex distribution networks can realize a high return on their investment in Firepond's SalesPerformer by
dramatically reducing the cost of sales through improved order accuracy and shortened sales cycles. For manufacturers, Firepond's "lead-to-order" systems
reduce reliance on expensive engineering resources during the sales process to configure a product that best meets customer requirements. For insurers, Firepond's
"prospect-to-customer" systems accelerate sales cycles, improve broker loyalty and simplify the renewals process. By leveraging a single intelligence engine to
drive the entire process across multiple sales channels, Firepond further reduces total cost of ownership.
Firepond's global blue-chip customer base includes ABB, Compaq, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, Freightliner, Hitachi Construction Machinery, Horizon Blue Cross and
Blue Shield of New Jersey, John Deere, Renault VI, SBLI Mutual Life, Sikorsky Aircraft Company and Steelcase International.
Portions of this release contain forward-looking statements regarding future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties. We wish to caution you that there are some
factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results indicated by such statements. These factors include, but are not limited to: economic and other
factors affecting the demand for e-business sales and service solutions; difficulties with the implementation and integration of Firepond products; market acceptance of
Firepond's SalesPerformer and eServicePerformer Suites and their components in chosen vertical industries; uncertainty, costs, and potential damages associated with
material litigation; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; quarterly fluctuations in operating results attributable to the timing and amount of orders for our
products and services; our ability to keep pace with changing product requirements; difficulties and financial burdens associated with acquisitions; and other risks detailed in
our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Form 10-K filed in January and Forms 10-Q filed in March and June, copies of which may be
obtained through the SEC's website at. www.sec.gov.
Firepond and Firepond product names are trademarks of Firepond, Inc. All other product or company names are the properties of their respective owners.
Editorial Contact:
Eric Snow
Firepond, Inc. (U.S.)
(781) 487-8441
eric.snow@firepond.com
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