According to a recent BUSINESS WEEK/Harris Poll (May 5, 1997) there are now over 40 million Americans on the Web, double the amount since just last year. That's 21% of all U.S. households. Why the rapid increase? Primarily due to the proliferation of web enabled PC's with faster line speeds, Web TV, and the new Network Computers (NC's). And the web is not just for kids anymore; according to the study...

• 82% of all web surfers are 25 years old or older.
• 75% have an income of $25,000 or higher.
• 73% have a high school degree or higher.

The IAC is ideally suited for merchants who deal in products of different "makes and models" where it is necessary to display their goods; some examples:

• Automotive dealerships
• Yacht brokers
• Airplane dealers
• Real estate agents
• Jewelers
• Antique dealers
• Furniture dealers
• Appliance stores
• Fashion/clothing
• Sporting Goods
• Hardware
• Trading card dealers

As a product, the IAC includes a complete Personal Computer that is ready to use "out of the box." All of the hardware and software necessary to produce high-quality web pages is included for use by office or sales personnel with minimal knowledge of computing. If you know how to point and click a mouse, you'll know how to use the IAC. In addition, the IAC includes sufficient capacity to use it for other applications as well, such as:

• Word Processing and spreadsheets
• Personal Information Managers (calendars, time planners, etc.)
• Full access to the Internet, including the Web, e-mail, newsgroups, and FTP file transfers.
• Communication software including a FAX machine (to send and receive faxes), a terminal emulator and the CompuServe Information Manager (CIM).

• Intel Pentium based PC with ...
  • 32mb of memory
  • 1.2gb of hard disk space
  • 3.5" Disk Drive
  • CD-ROM (x12)
  • 33.6 baud internal model
  • SVGA 15" monitor
  • Sound card and speakers
  • Microphone
• Digital Camera with connection to the PC.
• Color printer
• Surge protector

Software included:

• Special IAC Web authoring tool that prompts you through the design of custom-tailored high quality web pages, complete with photo images.

• Internet Access Kit - to connect with the Internet and surf the web, send and receive e-mail, review newsgroups, and transfer files (upload/download). NOTE: the popular Netscape Navigator web browser is included.

• On-line documentation is included to answer your questions and walk you through the process of developing a web page. No complicated paper manuals is required.

• Supplemental programs for word processing, graphics manipulation, data compression.

What else is included?

• Internet "domain" setup (on a centralized Internet-connected computer where your web pages are stored and accessed by consumers all over the world). The "domain" includes a unique name/address identifying your web page. You are provided with one year of free "domain" access space on the centralized computer which can be renewed for a nominal fee after the first year. Registration of your "domain" includes notification of prominent Internet "search engines" which consumers will reference to easily locate your company and products.

• On-site training - to check your hardware setup and guide you in the initial use of the product. NOTE: It is assumed that the user has prior experience in the use of a PC.

• One year of technical support - to answer questions and solve any problems that may occur.

• Weekly reports from the "domain" server showing the number of times your web page has been accessed by the public, as well as statistics on individual products examined on your web page.

The price for the IAC is $6,000 (U.S.) and includes everything mentioned above. Think about it; a complete PC and a cost-effective advertising program. According to a recent study by the American Management Study (AMA) and Tierney & Partners ("Business Use of the Internet"), it is becoming more and more expensive to establish a presence on the web. 56% of the companies in the study showed they planned to pay more than $10,000 to get on the web in 1997 (up from 41% in 1996).

Establishing a viable web presence for a small to medium sized business will cost in the neighborhood of $8-10,000. Also, consider the amount of money you spend on advertising (e.g., "Yellow Pages", catalogs, etc.) that rapidly goes out of date. With the IAC, you can refresh your web page as often as you like.

BENEFIT$

• The IAC reduces your total advertising costs while maximizing your exposure to your consumer market. As more and more people access the web, the less it will be necessary to print and mail expensive product catalogs. Instead, you will be able to quickly and easily update catalogs on the web at a fraction of the cost you spend today. And instead of shipping your catalogs based on mailing lists that rapidly go out of date, qualified consumers will come directly to your product catalog on the web by themselves (at no cost to you).

• The IAC simplifies the process of creating and updating web pages, providing technical independence from programmers to develop and maintain your web site.

• The IAC expands your market share by putting you in the homes of an ever-growing Web public, both locally and out-of-town.