Sun-Netscape Alliance Announces Spectrum-Compatible Solution for Internet Billing

Strategic Insights -

The Sun-Netscape Alliance, a collaborative effort between America Online and Sun Microsystems, has made significant strides in the Internet billing sector by announcing its compatibility with Spectrum, a corporate entity formed by Chase Manhattan, First Union, and Wells Fargo. This partnership will enable the seamless communication of bills through Spectrum to points of bill consolidation, thereby enhancing the ability of corporate customers to become application service providers. First Union will be among the first financial institutions to leverage this compatible iPlanet BillerXpert solution.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Sun-Netscape Alliance has announced that its iPlanet BillerXpert solution will be compatible with Spectrum, allowing for seamless communication of bills through Spectrum to points of bill consolidation.
  • First Union will be one of the first financial institutions to leverage the compatible iPlanet BillerXpert solution, utilizing the solution to host Internet bill presentment and payment (IBPP) services for its corporate customers.
  • The partnership aims to provide an open, interoperable mechanism for exchanging online bills, regardless of the technology employed by individual members.
  • The Sun-Netscape Alliance's iPlanet BillerXpert solution includes personalized statement presentation, set notifications of new bills, customer information capture, user-activity tracking, and targeted email capabilities.
  • The solution supports multiple payment types, including credit cards and checks.
  • The partnership will enable First Union to expand its IBPP model and provide enhanced value-proposition to its e-commerce business model.
  • The iPlanet ECXpert application will be used to automate and manage the processes that occur between organizations over the Internet and existing private networks.

Statistics:

  • As of September 30, 1999, First Union had assets of $235 billion and total stockholders' equity of $16 billion.
  • First Union operates full-service banking offices in 14 states and the nation.
  • America Online is the world's leader in interactive services, Web brands, Internet technologies, and e-commerce services, with over 18 million members.
  • CompuServe has approximately 2 million members.
  • The Sun-Netscape Alliance has a product portfolio that includes messaging and calendar, collaboration, Web, application, directory, and certificate servers.

Sources:

  • PRNewswire, "Sun-Netscape Alliance, First Union and Spectrum Announce Internet Billing Solution" (Dec. 6, 1999)
  • Press Release, "Sun-Netscape Alliance and First Union Announce Internet Billing Partnership" (Dec. 6, 1999)
  • America Online, Inc. - About America Online
  • Sun Microsystems, Inc. - About Sun Microsystems