POWAY, Calif., Jan. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Making technology
services as easy to purchase as a box of software, Gateway, Inc. (NYSE: GTW)
today introduces a variety of online training, tech support, Web site and
e-commerce plans that can be bought as retail packages at Gateway stores.
Depending on the service, packages may include a detailed manual, simple
step-by-step instructions on getting started, and if applicable, a pre-paid
calling card or an enrollment key that activates their order.
"When it comes to purchasing something intangible like a service,
customers tell us they want to talk to someone in person and see
demonstrations of the service -- in essence, to see and touch what they're
buying," said Jim Jones, vice president of segment marketing at Gateway. "Our
stores give people the opportunity to do all of that, and packaging services
in this manner complements their technology buying experience."
Learning Solution Makes Using New Software Easier
Gateway's Office Productivity and Educator Productivity Web-based Learning
libraries help professionals and teachers learn the basics or become experts
on a variety of software applications. Via the Internet, customers can learn
at their convenience -- any time and just about anywhere. For just $99 each,
the packages include a full year of unlimited access to online learning
courses, some of which include: Microsoft Excel; Microsoft PowerPoint;
Microsoft Word; Microsoft Access; Microsoft Outlook; WordPerfect and
QuickBooks 2000.
With the Educator Productivity package, teachers also can learn the
fundamentals of digital photography and music, and create their own Web sites.
The Educator Productivity learning product also offers a convenient way for
teachers to earn Continuing Education Units through online instructor-led
courses.
eBusiness Solutions Simplify the Web for Growing Businesses
With Gateway's WebSite and WebStore solutions, small businesses can build
their site and start selling products online within just days. Easy-to-use
"wizards" guide customers through each step, making creating a site simple and
hassle-free. Both solutions include free set-up, one year of Web site hosting
in a secure data center and 24 x 7 site monitoring to minimize downtime.
Gateway's WebSite solution includes professional design templates, access
to online marketing tools, registration with leading Internet search engines
and Web analysis tools that help customers measure site traffic. Customers
can choose from three plans depending on how many pages their business needs,
and all are capable of growing as the business evolves. Prices start at
$99 for a one-year subscription, or less than $9 a month.
With WebStore, customers can sell products and services online, with sites
featuring a shopping cart and online product catalog with search capabilities.
Yearly subscriptions include plans that offer up to 14 Web pages and a
100-item product catalog. Reporting capabilities help businesses track sales
and inventory, and Gateway can also provide real time credit card processing
capabilities and e-commerce training. Prices start at $169 for a one-year
subscription, or less than $15 a month.
Answers by Gateway: Help Is Just a Phone Call Away
With these pre-paid support calling cards, small businesses and consumers
can easily get help using, installing and troubleshooting more than 150 of the
most popular software applications, such as Microsoft(R) Office, Quicken and
Lotus Notes. Business professionals and consumers can quickly find out how to
use the mail merge function to print mailing labels or a direct mail piece in
Microsoft Word, customize accounting performance charts in QuickBooks, or
learn to add sound and graphics to make a PowerPoint presentation more
compelling. Cards are available with 30, 60 and 120 minutes of support for
$49, $79 and $129, respectively, and can be recharged with additional minutes
as needed.
Availability
Gateway's learning, eBusiness and support retail packages are available
now at all 296 Gateway stores across the U.S. Customers can also call
1-800-GATEWAY for more information.
About Gateway
Gateway (NYSE: GTW), a personal technology company, improves people's
lives through a combination of the latest and best hardware, communication
tools, applications, learning and service, all wrapped in a custom financing
package. The company takes a localized approach, utilizing its Web site, call
centers and nationwide network of Gateway retail stores to build direct
relationships with consumers, small and medium businesses and government and
education institutions. A Fortune 500(R) company founded in 1985, Gateway is
ranked as the most admired American company in the Computers and Office
Equipment industry in a Fortune magazine survey(1) and is the top brand in
customer loyalty and for first-time home computer purchases of Wintel-based
PCs(2). For more information, visit Gateway's Web site at http://www.gateway.com .
(1) Fortune Magazine, "America's Most Admired Companies," February 19,
2001.
(2) From the Harris Interactive Consumer TechPoll (SM) study of
140,000 PC owners who use the Internet, released March 5, 2001.
SOURCE Gateway, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.gateway.com
CONTACT:
Ruth Rosene of Gateway, Inc.,
+1-949-609-4498, ruth.rosene@gateway.com
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