Fine Point says its latest self-install kit allows ISPs to compete with AOL by distributing their own sign-up CDs.

by Wayne Kawamoto [December 6, 2001]

Fine Point Technologies, Inc., which develops self-installation kits and other software solutions that make it easier for end-users to connect to the Internet, announced the launch of its Total Internet version 4.0. The software is designed to help service providers streamline and simplify a customer's experience during Internet sign-up and configuration.

According to the company, Total Internet offers the following advantages:

1. a simple interface for qualifying, installing and configuring a customer's computer for broadband access
2. automatic system configuration
3. direct upgrade capabilities
4. a step-by-step Sign-up Wizard that walks users through the process

The company's new Direct Registration Technology, which is integrated into the latest version of the software, is designed to provide new subscribers with instantaneous sign-on capabilities and Internet access. Fine Point claims that the software retrieves the necessary information from end-users, automatically dials into an ISP's existing network infrastructure, creates a user profile, and builds the client's account without the need for technical intervention. Other enhancements in the software include Windows XP support, an improved user-interface, and Internet Explorer 6.0 compatibility.

According to Fine Point, the narrowband (dial-up) market has become overly competitive, which is resulting in extremely low price points. And profits, in many cases, are low or non-existent.

Total Internet is designed enable an ISP to reduce costs in the following three ways:

1. reduce technical support costs
2. reduce user churn
3. lower marketing costs

"In a nutshell, it enables ISPs to distribute CD-ROMs just like AOL to market their services, and sign-up new subscribers without the need for a sales person, and greatly reduce the amount of technical support that's required," said John O'Keefe, President and CEO of Fine Point Technologies. "A solution such as Total Internet enables ISPs to enter and compete in a competitive market."

"Because most of today's new Internet users are inexperienced and new to the Internet, the obvious choice becomes AOL, unless someone else can offer an easy to use interface," added O'Keefe. "We have developed an innovative technology that enables subscribers to sign-up instantly for Internet access through any participating service provider, via our direct registration technology. Additionally, this technology enables our product to be integrated with a wide variety of third party solutions without any modifications to the client software. In a market dominated by AOL, it is nearly impossible to compete without a solution such as Total Internet."

Availability and pricing
Total Internet is licensed on a "per install" basis. The license fee can be anywhere from $0.50 per user to $2 per user depending on the volume of the license.

Current customers include Verizon, Nokia, Sony, TDC, Telefonica, and over two hundred other ISPs and telecommunications companies.

—End