Press
Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
EBOT 'ELECTRONIC ROBOT' REVOLUTIONIZES THE WAY DIGITAL
PRODUCTS ARE FOUND AND DELIVERED OVER THE INTERNET
Service Offers Free Software Updates Along
With Free Retail Software
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., September 2, 1999 -- There's no question e-commerce
is here to stay. The big question is which technologies are going to shape
the e-commerce industry in the next century. Digital River, Inc. (NASDAQ:
DRIV) believes its new digital product subscription service, eBot, clearly
differentiates the company from other firms selling goods and services
over the Internet.
EBot, free to any consumer, is an 'electronic robot' that sits on a subscriber's
PC desktop. When the subscriber requests it, eBot gets the latest software
releases, patches, add-ons and bug fixes relevant to the subscriber's
computer system. Then with the click of a button, the subscriber can download
selected products and instantly install them. The relatively small eBot
utility is available for free at http://www.ebot.com or through a number
of Digital River partners who offer downloadable products.
"There are literally hundreds of thousands of software products, upgrades,
bug fixes, add-ons and patches available for consumers to load on their
computer," said Joel Ronning, Digital River CEO. "How do you know which
ones are right for you? You could comb the Web for hours or you could
just use eBot and in minutes take the guesswork out of keeping your computer
on the cutting edge and loaded with the latest cool digital products."
Separating Digital River From the E-Commerce Pack
Digital River, Inc., located in Minneapolis, is the world's leader in
digital product delivery over the Internet. With a current roster of more
than 5,000 software publishers and retailers, and the world's largest
online library of 100,000 digital products, there's no one better suited
to offering a desktop software assistant like eBot. The company also owns
distribution rights for products from more than 2,500 shareware publishers,
including those with some of the most popular shareware titles available
today. With industry analysts predicting the worldwide online software
market to grow by 95 percent a year to $2.4 billion dollars by 2002**,
a free service like eBot is the perfect answer to providing consumers
easy, instant and secure access to downloadable digital products.
"We're very excited to add eBot to our growing list of online marketing
tools offered to our client partners," said Perry Steiner, Digital River
president. "From setting up e-commerce Web sites to marketing those sites
to product fulfillment, we offer companies the complete package for selling
goods over the Internet. Our security systems and customer service departments
are recognized as some of the best in the world. And by excelling at digital
product delivery over the Internet, we don't have the worries other e-commerce
companies have - like managing warehouse inventory, physical returns,
packaging and huge marketing expenses driving traffic to a single Web
site."
How EBot Works
Once subscribers install eBot, they can enable eBot's Updates feature,
which then determines what applications are installed on their PC. EBot
then searches the eBot database for updates and only sends subscribers
the free updates applicable to their system. At the same time, eBot notifies
subscribers of digital product offers and promotions relevant to their
computer. For example, a subscriber who enjoys sports games might be offered
a free graphics patch plus the newest PC football game at a large discount.
Each database entry includes a brief file description, so users know what
each update does prior to downloading. When a subscriber selects a product,
eBot helps manage the download process with tools such as download pausing,
scheduling and "recovery" of downloads lost if Internet access is ever
cut. EBot will help the user install the product and archive all of a
subscriber's downloads, so if there's ever a need to re-download a product
or check on the status of an order, all the information is available for
instant access through eBot.
Free Software and Other Digital Products
More than 95 percent of the products offered via eBot are free to subscribers.
In addition, eBot offers free retail versions of digital products through
Subscriber Bonuses in eBot or at http://www.ebot.com. The Bonuses include
games, music players and files, utilities, graphics programs and more.
"We'll provide subscribers free software updates, whether those updates
are from Digital River partners or not," said Sam Richter, eBot product
manager and Digital River senior marketing director. "Each time subscribers
use their eBot, they will find superb value."
"We're confident eBot subscribers will enjoy their free programs, and
that many subscribers will eventually purchase upgrades to these free
applications" said Ronning. "In addition, offers made via eBot will be
at reduced prices, because we've been able to eliminate the need for packaging
and marketing, allowing our partners to pass on the savings to eBot subscribers.
That's good for the customer and good for the publisher. Everybody wins."
Total User Control
EBot only goes to work when the subscriber gives it permission to do so.
EBot offers direct online access to an around-the-clock customer service
team via email and telephone support and also features one-click access
to an extensive online help system, designed to make customers feel more
comfortable with ordering and downloading software from the Internet.
In addition, Digital River's proprietary security system and safe shopping
and virus-free guarantees cover all product orders via eBot, so consumers
never have to worry about purchasing products online.
About Digital River*
Digital River, Inc. (NASDAQ: DRIV), is the largest online source of software
and a leading outsource provider of Web-based commerce solutions. The
company, based in Minneapolis, provides more than 5,000 software publishers
and online retailers with its proprietary technology for Internet delivery
of more than 100,000 digital products, including 30,000 software products
and applications. For more information, visit Digital River's Web site
at http://www.digitalriver.com.
* Except for the historical information contained herein,
this press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements
containing the words, "believes," "anticipates," "expects" and similar
words. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance
or achievements of the Company, or industry results, to be materially
different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed
or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among
others: the Company's limited operating history and variability of operating
results; market acceptance of electronic software delivery; the Company's
ability to maintain relationships with software publishers and online
retailers; competition in the electronic commerce market; and other risk
factors referenced in the Company's public filings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
** Source: Jupiter Communications, 1999
