REDMOND, Wash., Oct. 14, 1999 — Microsoft Corp. today announced the launch of Microsoft® bCentral, a new Web-based business portal created specifically to meet the needs of small and growing companies. The site helps them in three key areas: getting a business started online by connecting to the Web and building a Web site; promoting and marketing online to reach new customers; and managing a business more effectively. The new site, available in beta version since Sept. 30, is available in the United States at http://www.bCentral.com/ .
“We talked with lots of smaller businesses to find out how they thought the Internet could radically help their business,”
said Deborah Whitman, director of marketing for Microsoft bCentral.
“Based on their feedback, we designed bCentral to help drive businesses forward in tangible and measurable ways – by helping them leverage the Web to affordably expand their customer base, offering them reliable Web access, and saving them time and money on many of the day-to-day hassles of managing a business.”
bCentral combines Microsoft’s small-business expertise – from its award-winning LinkExchange promotion services and MSN.com TM small-business channel to business travel products from the Expedia.com TM travel service – to provide merchants with the easiest, most affordable way to put the Web to work for their company.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
Microsoft, MSN.com and Expedia.com are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.
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