For Immediate Release
ROCKSTAR SOFTWARE ANNOUNCES NEW INTERNET SERVICE ADMINISTRATION
PLATFORM FOR SUPPORTING REMOTE ACCOUNTS AND DELIVERING CONTENT
– GearBox Connection Kit simplifies routine account maintenance
and delivers services through a distributable client –
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., SEPT 28, 1998 – Rockstar Software announced today
the GearBox Connection Kit, a new administration platform for supporting
Internet accounts. Attendees of ISPCON 98 (Booth# 1601) will see a preview
of the software which provides a scalable connectivity solution for
administering remote access account support and delivering value-added
services within a distributable client. Designed for commercial providers
and the enterprise, the GearBox Connection Kit will ship for Windows 95/98
and Mac OS in Q4 with pricing on a site licensed or per-client basis.
Windows NT support to be included Q1 1999. More information is available
at: www.rockstar.com.
The GearBox Connection Kit addresses three key service issues for
cost-effectively supporting remote access users and maximizing revenue from
the customer base:
* First time account set-up
* Long-term account maintenance, and
* Services delivery.
Account set-up is managed through the client which provides intelligent
configuration and diagnostics, saving administrators time with new users.
Further, the client automatically maintains configurations by referencing a
repository of current settings, such as application settings, server
addresses and POP numbers, maintained by the administrator on an HTML
server. GearBox may also be extended to support proprietary applications
through its component architecture (COM) for Windows versions. Moreover,
GearBox includes communications portals for delivering content which can be
customized on a per-configuration basis. The complete solution gives
providers the power to easily maintain remote accounts and effectively
build value-added programs, such as VPNs or targeted customer services.
For the end user, account management is simplified by the client through
central management of configuration settings, connection integrity
monitoring and diagnostics which deliver on-going connection reliability.
Commercial and enterprise service providers should realize an immediate
savings through reduced support costs and an opportunity to increase
revenue through expanding services offered.
“With an ability to promote services and automatically maintain remote
accounts, GearBox maximizes revenue potential from the existing customer
base while decreasing support costs,” comments Brian Chen, CEO Rockstar
Software. “And an Internet service which is easy to manage by the provider
and end user alike results in greater customer retention and effective
marketing programs for the customer.”
PRICING AND AVAILABILITY
The GearBox Connection Kit is expected to ship Q4 1998 for Windows 95/98
and Mac OS on a site licensed or per-user subscription basis. Windows NT
support to be included Q1 1999. More details are available at
http://www.rockstar.com or by e-mailing sales@rockstar.com.
ABOUT ROCKSTAR SOFTWARE
Based in San Francisco, CA, Rockstar Software develops cutting edge
Internet software products such as GearBox, Internet Setup Monkey and
FreePPP. For more information, contact Rockstar Software at 415.242.1984,
fax 415.263.3144 or http://www.rockstar.com.
EDITOR’S CONTACT:
Nathan Turajski
Rockstar Software
415.242.1984
nathan@rockstar.com