Software connects Outlook users over internet.
Press Release Summary:
DirectConnect desktop application connects Microsoft Outlook with collaboration server directly over internet. Users have real-time connection between their BlueTie account and Outlook on desktop, allowing virus and SPAM-free email, shared calendars, contacts, files, tasks, and instant messaging. DirectConnect regularly replicates all data on BlueTie Server, providing instant disaster recovery solution. System utilizes auto-updating mechanism for new versions or updates.
Original Press Release:
BlueTie Brings Collaboration to the Masses with Release of DirectConnect for Microsoft Outlook
300 Million Outlook Users Can Now Collaborate in Real-Time over the Internet without a Microsoft Exchange Server
Rochester, New York - Tuesday, February 03, 2004 -- BlueTie, Inc., a leading provider of Web-based messaging and collaboration, announces today the release of DirectConnect for Microsoft Outlook, the world's first desktop application designed to connect Outlook with a collaboration server directly over the Internet. The revolutionary design of DirectConnect enables users to connect their Outlook desktop software with the award-winning BlueTie Server, without any hardware or server software.
"Small businesses want functionality above and beyond what they are getting with their existing POP3 mail, but they do not want to spend the thousands of dollars associated with setting up an Exchange Server," said David Koretz, BlueTie President and CEO. "BlueTie DirectConnect is the first software application that provides business class solutions without investments in hardware or software."
With DirectConnect, BlueTie users have a real-time connection between their BlueTie account and Outlook on the desktop. This connection ensures, whether a user is accessing their email, contacts, calendar and tasks via Outlook, remotely with BlueTie's Web client, or on a mobile device, that their information is always accessible. BlueTie provides users with virus and SPAM-free email, shared calendars, contacts and files, tasks, instant messaging, and more.
Innovation in Concept and Design
BlueTie Server, a highly scalable and reliable messaging and collaboration platform, facilitates the operation of BlueTie's suite of business applications and allows users to collaborate by sharing calendars, contacts and files with other users. BlueTie Server also allows for real-time connections to be maintained between BlueTie's Web client, Outlook, and with the recent release of BlueTie Mobile, a wide variety of wireless devices.
The first time DirectConnect communicates with BlueTie Server, all of the data is replicated, providing an instant disaster recovery solution in less than five minutes. Should the data in Outlook become corrupt, or if the computer ever fails, the user can continue working from any computer with Internet access.
Once the initial replication is complete, the system connects on a regular basis to keep data identical in both locations. The user can control the frequency the application runs, and exactly which data is replicated.
Instant Availability and Seamless Updates
As with most BlueTie product and feature releases, DirectConnect is available free of charge to all BlueTie users and is immediately available for download at http://www.BlueTie.com/directconnect.
The system utilizes a unique auto-updating mechanism that eliminates the need to ever download new versions or upgrades. Software updates are seamlessly pushed to users in the background, without any user action required.
DirectConnect for Microsoft Outlook is compatible with Windows 98, Windows 2000, and the Windows XP operating systems. The DirectConnect client connects with Outlook 2000, 2002, and 2003.
"DirectConnect was the most ambitious and ground-breaking project we have ever embarked upon, and the results are amazing," said Koretz. "We are now able to fulfill the needs of businesses that have otherwise been priced out of the messaging and collaboration market by Microsoft."
About BlueTie, Inc.
BlueTie is the world's leading provider of three-tiered messaging and collaboration software for businesses and service providers. The award-winning BlueTie family of applications enables companies to instantly deploy email, shared calendars, contacts and files, instant messaging, and more - all without investments in software, hardware or support. BlueTie applications provide critical benefits including virus protection, security, 99.99% reliability, and free training and support. BlueTie users have real-time access to their information from any computer or mobile device. BlueTie has received industry accolades including Forbes Magazine "Best of the Web" award, Palm Computing Five Star Award, Tucows.com Five Cow Award, Apps.com Five Star Award, and the Hewlett Packard Success story award. Founded in 1999, BlueTie is headquartered in Rochester, New York, with offices in Europe and Asia. For more information, visit BlueTie.com or call 1.800.BLUE-TIE.
BlueTie and BlueTie.com are registered trademarks of BlueTie, Inc. All rights reserved. Microsoft, Outlook, and Exchange, are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
