nternet service providers UUNet Tech
nologies Inc. and Concentric Network Corp. are enhancing their Web hosting services with collaborative applications.
UUNet, in Fairfax, Va., is testing applications developed by eShare Technologies Inc. in Commack, N.Y., that offer chat services and threaded discussions. UUNet plans to launch the services this month.
The chat feature will let up to several thousand users engage in real-time discussions by logging on to a Web page. The chat file retains only the most recent 15 or so lines of text. IS managers can set up an unlimited number of chat rooms and authorized user lists. Pricing for the chat feature will start at $125 per month for up to 25 simultaneous participants.
The Association of Builders and Contractors, a UUNet customer in Arlington, Va., plans to organize chats around specific topics. "It's much less expensive than a conference call," says Dominic Terrone, director of member services.
Separately, Concentric, in Cupertino, Calif., plans to offer in August a "virtual office" for
small businesses. Applications running on Concentric's servers will include document publishing, collaboration, group E-mail, and scheduling. Pricing will be about $30 to $100 per month plus a fee based on the number of users.
The Concentric model may also work for big companies. Says Barbara Ells, an analyst at Zona Research Inc. in Redwood City, Calif., "Large corporations want to quickly put together project teams that include remote users and consultants."
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nternet service providers UUNet Tech
nologies Inc. and Concentric Network Corp. are enhancing their Web hosting services with collaborative applications.
