[June 10, 1999]

Great Elk Co. Introduces Hosted Internet-Based Customer Relationship Management Solution

The Great Elk Company, a leading supplier of customer relationship management (CRM) software systems, today announced the launch of splash-net, a new division offering the first fully functional, Web-based CRM solution for less than the monthly cost of running a cell phone.

With its low cost, high functionality, and ease-of-use, splash-net is an ideal alternative for small- to medium-sized companies unable to invest the financial and technical resources normally required to implement serious CRM solutions. Typically, a fully functional CRM solution can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and take several months to implement.

Great Elk's splash-net allows corporations to lease space on the Web, connect all of their CRM users, and begin building a comprehensive, fully secure "Information Asset." The information provided and collected can include all customer contacts, opportunities, forecasts, problem reports and task management. Information is real-time, and a complete reporting solution is delivered.

Created for salespeople across all industries, splash-net is instantly available to any user with access to the Internet and a browser. What's more, there is no software to install, and the low monthly per-user fee can be conveniently billed to a major credit card.

splash-net offers a number of additional benefits:

• Existing customer information can be easily imported, eliminating data re-entry
• Users can be added, changed or deleted through a simple wizard format
• Users can stay connected on the road with cellular or RF technology
• Because the system is easily upgradable, it can grow as a business grows

Warren Tobin, chief operating officer of Great Elk, cites two technological advances that are instrumental in catalyzing the launch of splash-net.

"The idea of hosting applications is emerging as a viable option for corporate America and the Internet provides the ideal delivery mechanism," he said. "Consequently, splash-net's hosting concept became particularly viable at this time.
"In addition, some people requiring access to various internal systems do not have time to connect to the Internet," he continued. "Thus, today's new wireless and cellular products - two technologies that provide low-cost, all-day access to the Internet - will make splash-net even more attractive over time."

Tobin added that splash-net provides a high comfort level to corporate managers uneasy about having critical database information out in the field on a stand-alone basis. With splash-net, users benefit from secure access to customer data via the Web.

An early customer for splash-net is Greg Schweinzger, vice president of sales and marketing at North Star Print Group, a division of Journal Communications, Inc., headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisc. "splash-net provides North Star with the ability to immediately implement our customer relationship management system to manage both US and international business. The implementation is instantaneous, there is no requirement for additional internal resources and training requirements are minimal. With the existing hardware, laptops and desktops, already in place, I will receive all of the information I need to manage the sales team. This will finally enable me to obtain a complete and up to date picture of our international sales activities, something that was very difficult prior to splash-net."

The service will be available to customers beginning June 28 at www.splash-net.com.

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