Press Release - Silknet Software

  Directory
    Suppliers
    Associations
    Publications
    Stock Index
    News Search
    Home

  Calendar of Events
     Find event | Submit event

  Career Corner
     Find job | Submit job

  RealMarket Today!
    Past Issues
    Subscribe
    Unsubscribe

Company Profile
Company Web Site

HomeSpace Services Chooses Silknet Software's E-business Solutions

Leading Homeowner Advocacy Service Company Goes "Dot.Com" Using Silknet eService and Silknet eBusiness System

MANCHESTER, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 8, 1999-- Silknet Software, Inc. (NASDAQ:SILK - news), today announced that HomeSpace Inc., the Internet company that acts as the consumer's advocate throughout the home ownership process, has purchased Silknet eBusiness System(TM) and Silknet eService(TM) to handle both their B2B and B2C e-business requirements. Silknet's technology will enable HomeSpace to match its customers with appropriate real estate agents and relocation services, and allow customers to track and manage their individual portfolios online.

Using Silknet eBusiness System, Silknet's framework for deploying e-business applications, real estate agents from across the United States will now be able to log in and register with HomeSpace to help create a detailed national database of real estate and mortgage services. Online customers searching for agents in different areas of the country will then be able to simply click through a list of criteria to find real estate agents targeted to their needs. The Silknet platform will be integrated into the HomeSpace Web site at http://www.homespace.com as well as its call center operations.

Silknet eService will provide HomeSpace with a highly scalable, Web-based application to manage interactions with its customers. HomeSpace will use Silknet eService to enhance customer service by providing its customers with autonomy and control over their mortgage and real estate processes through online account management and self-service. ``Home Owner Consultants'' will remain a click away at all times during the process to provide online help and advice at the customer's request. Using Silknet eBusiness System customers will be able to interact with Home Owner Consultants via phone, email or Web chat.

``Our business model challenges traditional real estate processes, in that we help our customers find a total solution to their relocation needs from their PC, in hours, rather than weeks,'' said Brian McLoughlin, chief financial officer of HomeSpace, Inc. ``Silknet's solutions will enable us to deliver on our promise to our customers and achieve a competitive advantage by building a compelling online experience for every visitor to HomeSpace.''

``Relocating is one of the most stressful and emotional events in life, involving complex transactions with real estate agents, lawyers, banks, moving companies, utility companies, inspectors and schools,'' said Dave Fowler, vice president of marketing for Silknet Software. ``HomeSpace has found a unique way to leverage Silknet's software and the Internet to simplify the management of multiple business transactions, then communicate that information to the customer. HomeSpace has developed a combination of self-service and assisted-service to create a wide range of options that empowers customers to choose how and when they manage their relocation process.''

About Silknet's E-business Solutions
Silknet eBusiness System is a Web-based platform for building, deploying and configuring customer-centric e-business applications. Silknet eService, built upon Silknet eBusiness System, is a customer service application that enables a company to provide customer self-service and collaboration using the Web, email, the telephone and other messaging media. Silknet eCommerce(TM), a Web-based solution for building and managing an electronic storefront, is the first e-commerce solution to integrate e-service.

About HomeSpace Inc.
HomeSpace is the Internet company that acts as the consumer's advocate throughout the home ownership process, providing a full range of services including mortgages, real estate and home services, all accessible through the Internet or a toll-free call. Established in 1997 as the exclusive provider of mortgage and real estate services to Costco Wholesale, the company has originated over 5,000 mortgages and completed more than 3,500 real estate transactions.

The company's mission is to serve as the consumer's advocate throughout the homeownership cycle. Under the advocacy concept, the company not only provides service guarantees and discounts; it also intervenes when its service partners fail to perform to HomeSpace's rigorous customer service standards.

Major investors in HomeSpace include: Global Retail Partners; Moore Capital Management; Pequot Capital Management; and Robert Zangrillo, former chairman, CEO and co-founder of Interworld. Other investors are: Bluewater Capital; Oak Investment Partners; T. Rowe Price; Wallington Investment; and Weiss, Peck & Greer.

About Silknet Software
Silknet Software, Inc. (NASDAQ:SILK - news) provides the industry's leading customer-centric e-business applications and systems for Global 2000 and dot.com companies such as Office Depot, Microsoft, Priceline.com, Beyond.com, Sprint, Utility.com, Inacom and Bell Canada. Built from the ground up with Web technologies and standards, Silknet's software allows companies to build strong customer relationships through personalized marketing, sales, electronic commerce and customer support services. Silknet's approach integrates all customer interactions and data whether across the Web, by phone, through e-mail or in person, providing the company's agents, partners and the customers with a single view of their relationship. Silknet is headquartered in Manchester, N.H., with offices across North America and in Europe. Additional information can be obtained on the World Wide Web at http://www.silknet.com or by calling Silknet at 603/625-0070.

Silknet eService, Silknet e-Commerce and Silknet eBusiness System are trademarks of Silknet Software. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders.

Any statements contained in this press release that do not describe historical facts may constitute forward looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any forward looking statements contained herein are based on current expectations, but are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties.

The factors that could cause actual future results to differ materially from current expectations include the following: fluctuations in customer demand; the Company's ability to manage its growth; the risk of new product introductions and customer acceptance of new products; the rapid technological change which characterizes the Company's markets; the risks associated with competition; the risks associated with international sales as the Company expands its markets; and the ability of the Company to compete successfully in the future, as well as other risks identified in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including but not limited to those appearing under the caption ``Risk Factors'' in the Company's Prospectus dated May 5, 1999.

Contact:

Editorial Contact:
Patrick J. Scannell, Jr.
Silknet Software
(603) 625-0070
pscannell@silknet.com

top of page