MSN Carpoint Selects Aether Systems To Provide Auto Dealers Access to Car Buyers Anytime, Anywhere
OWINGS MILLS, Md.--March 19, 2001--Aether Systems, Inc. , a leading provider of wireless data products and services, today announced a strategic partnership with MSN Carpoint, the most visited car buying and ownership site on the Web, to provide dealers with wireless access to Internet sales leads.
Through this partnership, Aether's wireless lead management solution, NetSearch, will be integrated into Dealerpoint, Carpoint's most widely used customer relationship management tool, enhancing Dealerpoint functionalities and enabling faster response times to interested car buyers.
The new service combines leading wireless and Internet-based technologies from Aether and Microsoft to deliver a comprehensive solution for managing leads. Through an integrated package, Carpoint's Dealerpoint and NetSearch will provide dealers with reliable, secure, instant access to Internet generated sales leads via the Research in Motion (RIM) 950 and 957 wireless handhelds. Though initially available on RIM handheld devices, the use of Aether's technology allows for future adaptation of the solution on any wireless device and network.
With the solution in place, dealers can respond to potential buyer inquiries whether out of the office or on the showroom floor. The package also includes 24-hour network support, device fulfillment, training, end-user support, and Blackberry(TM) by Aether(TM) service, the award-winning email solution by Research in Motion.
"Web-based customer relationship management (CRM) is a mission critical service that benefits the entire dealer sales organization and related manufacturers, not just an Internet specialist using a PC," said Todd Weatherby, director of industry services for MSN Carpoint. "This new wireless service empowers all sales people --anywhere, anytime--and improves dealer profitability by increasing close rates, sales staff productivity, and the consumer buying experience."
"As the Internet evolves into a key lead generation outlet for dealerships, the ability to immediately respond to online customers wirelessly, becomes increasingly important to maintaining a competitive edge," said Marc Nassos, director of strategic partnerships, Aether Systems. "We believe that implementation of wireless lead management solutions are the natural next step for dealers and manufacturers doing business over the Internet and the combined NetSearch and Dealerpoint solution will serve as a key resource among the 5,000 plus MSN Carpoint customers seeking the most comprehensive management tool. "
Dealerpoint, currently licensed to all Ford, Honda, Acura and Isuzu dealers, is compatible with more than 100 lead generation services, all of which are eligible to receive the wireless lead solution through this agreement. Additional Dealerpoint features include a home page for consolidating and posting daily tasks for new sales leads as well as for follow-up leads. Dealerpoint also offers multiple user accounts for salespeople and tips and information for improved sales results. Dealers are able to track their results by accessing any one of the 13 real-time reports offered.
Beginning this spring, dealers can register online for this new service through their Dealerpoint account.
About Aether Systems
Aether Systems, Inc., is a leading provider of wireless and mobile data products and services allowing real-time communications and transactions across a full range of devices and networks. Using its engineering expertise, the ScoutWare family of products including the Aether Intelligent Messaging (AIM) software platform, and its network operations center and customer care center, Aether seeks to provide comprehensive, technology-independent wireless and mobile computing solutions. Aether develops and delivers wireless data services across a variety of industries and market segments in the United States and internationally. For more information, please visit www.aethersystems.com.
About MSN Carpoint
Launched in October 1995, Carpoint Inc. (http://www.carpoint.com/) is the most visited online automotive marketplace, receiving more than 6 million consumer visits each month. From product reviews and surround video features to pricing of new and used cars, the Carpoint site helps consumers find the car they love at a price they can afford. With details on more than 10,000 models and 100,000 used vehicles, visitors can research and compare cars of virtually every make and model, identify local dealers, and receive instructions for post-purchase service and maintenance.
Carpoint generates more than $8 billion (U.S.) in auto sales each year for its network of more than 6,000 affiliated dealers nationwide. The American International Automobile Dealers Association exclusively endorses Carpoint. Carpoint also powers the Autos Channel on the MSN network of Internet services (http://www.msn.com/). MSN is the most popular destination on the Internet, attracting more than 230 million unique monthly visitors worldwide.
This press release includes forward-looking statements based on current expectations and projections about future events. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions about Aether that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements.
Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the ability of Aether and Microsoft to successfully develop the products and services described in this release. These risks and other risk factors are described in Aether's report on Form 10-K with respect to the fiscal year ending December 31, 1999 and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Aether undertakes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements contained in this press release.