Microsoft Moves Closer to its Customers with AbiliTec; Acxiom Software Helps Industry Leader Improve Customer Relationships
7 November 2000
Microsoft Moves Closer to its Customers with AbiliTec; Acxiom Software Helps Industry Leader Improve Customer Relationships
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.--Nov. 7, 2000--Acxiom(R) Corporation announced today a long-term contract with Microsoft(TM) Corp. that will enable Microsoft to use AbiliTec(TM), Acxiom's Customer Data Integration software, to deepen and improve its customer relationships."AbiliTec will allow Microsoft to smartly integrate the information and preferences that our customers have provided us from a variety of areas like our Web site, software registrations and customer service center," says Allison Cornia, who is responsible for all database marketing in Microsoft's Home & Retail Division, which markets such products as Encarta, Works Suite and the forthcoming XBox.
"The idea is to recognize and reward our customers when they contact us, whether it's by telephone, mail, or via the Internet," Cornia says. "We value our close relationship with consumers, and we realize that the more ways we communicate with them, the harder it can be to keep customer information current and consistent. If a customer changed addresses last year, or got married and changed her name, that doesn't change our obligation to know how we've done business with her in the past, what her interests are, and how she prefers to be contacted. The unified view of customer data that we'll get with AbiliTec will improve customer satisfaction and retention through increasingly personalized customer interaction."
In searching for a solution to the challenges of Customer Data Integration (CDI), Microsoft looked at every option in the marketplace. In the end, though, the world's leading software company chose the software solution that defined the category of Customer Data Integration: Acxiom's AbiliTec.
Microsoft's choice is a clear indicator of trends in Customer Relationship Management. As the most effective CDI software, AbiliTec is proliferating in the marketplace and quickly becoming the industry standard.
"We're thrilled to have the opportunity to work with an industry leader like Microsoft," says Ed Horton, who leads the technology and information electronics group at Acxiom. "The new relationship underscores the true power of AbiliTec and offers a great example of our software's potential in the market.
"Microsoft told us they had three primary reasons for choosing AbiliTec. First was the superiority of our software. Microsoft tested AbiliTec against its prior customer integration results and was impressed with the improvement.
"Second, Microsoft said that the real-time aspect of AbiliTec - its ability to do in an interactive environment what competitors can only do with batch processing - was a big factor in the choice. No matter what customer touchpoint the consumer uses, Microsoft will be able to recognize him or her immediately.
"Finally, Microsoft admired the flexibility of AbiliTec to support multiple marketing tactics, whether they're targeted at the household or the individual consumer."
Scott Nelson, vice president and research director with GartnerGroup, added that "a single view of the customer is at the heart of any successful Customer Relationship Management program. Obtaining that all-important single view hinges squarely on the ability to achieve real-time and accurate integration of customer data."
About Acxiom Corporation
Acxiom Corporation, the global leader in real-time, multi-channel Customer Data Integration, enables businesses to develop and deepen customer relationships by creating a single, accurate view of their customers across the enterprise. Acxiom achieves this by providing Customer Data Integration software, database management services, and premier customer data content through its AbiliTec(TM), Solvitur(R) and InfoBase(R) products, while also offering a broad range of information technology outsourcing services. Founded in 1969, Acxiom is based in Little Rock, Arkansas, with locations throughout the United States and with operations in the United Kingdom, France, Spain and Australia. Acxiom revenues were $1.03 billion for the 12 months ended September 30, 2000. For more information, please visit www.acxiom.com.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software -- any time, any place and on any device.
Microsoft is a trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft(R) Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft's corporate information pages.
The discussion in this release regarding Acxiom Corporation contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including risks detailed from time to time in the company's SEC reports. Actual results may differ materially. Acxiom undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revision to any forward-looking statement in this press release to reflect any future events or circumstances.
Acxiom, InfoBase and Solvitur are registered trademarks of Acxiom, RTC, Inc. AbiliTec is a trademark of Acxiom Corporation.