America Online announces a newer transformation; new pricing, management and accounting
Article Abstract:
America Online (AOL) CEO Steve Case announces the company will be operating with a new accounting policy, top manager, management organization and pricing scheme. This restructuring is designed to allow AOL to compete with Internet services, but some Wall Street analysts are tiring of Case's repeated business changes. No one argues that Case has to do something to encourage subscribers to use AOL's proprietory services, because many people use AOL as a gateway to the Internet. AOL has finally embraced the $19.95 per month unlimited access rate offered by its rivals. Company operations will be affected because AOL is dividing into AOL Networks, AOL Studios and ANS Communications. The divisions are responsible for the on-line service, service content and physical network maintenance, respectively. AOL also is accounting for marketing costs as current expenses instead of capital expenses. These changes are forcing AOL to take a combined $460 million charge against earnings.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1996
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Lotus Development plans new software for Internet
Article Abstract:
Lotus is developing Weblicator, an application that lets users synchronize the changes between files on the Web and the desktop. Users will be able to download information from the Web, edit it on a computer with no network connection, then connect to the Web and update the file that resides on the Web. The files taken from the Web are stored in a Notes database, known as an object store and can be indexed based on a number of parameters, including date of creation or location on the Internet. The object store itself can be searched using key words and provides security by restricting document access. The product is based on functions found in Notes, and Lotus executives believe that customers will want to move to more sophisticated Notes-based products after seeing Weblicator's capabilities. A test version will be offered on the Internet in late 1996, and the product will ship in early 1997 and will cost $29 per user.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1996
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