PointCast adding e-commerce
As part of a redesign, the push company becomes the latest to jump onto the e-commerce bandwagon.
The new MarketPlace section is slated to debut later this evening as part of PointCast's relaunch of its Web site, called EntryPoint. Since PointCast users automatically go to EntryPoint when they go online, company executives hope that the new e-commerce section will appeal to a predominantly business-oriented audience.
"We will bring together under one rooftop a variety of vendors where folks can shop within one locale for business-related products or services," said Phil Carpenter, PointCast senior marketing manager.
Within the site, the Internet information broadcast service will partner with Amazon subsidiary Junglee, Compare.Net, and Impulse Buy Network to provide a number of comparison shopper guides for a certain categories, such as office supplies, computer hardware and software, or travel.
Other categories, such as books or clothing, will feature links to popular vendors such as J. Crew, Wal-Mart, and Barnes and Noble.
In addition to the e-commerce guides, the revised EntryPoint will be restructured into a more portal-like offering. The new EntryPoint will feature a search directory powered by Snap (a joint venture between NBC and CNET: The Computer Network, publisher of News.com), a financial center that includes stock quotes and Securities and Exchange Commission filings by Edgar Online, and real-time weather reports.