|
Eastman Relationships with Dell and UUNET Help Customers Establish
E-commerce Capability
ASPEN, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 1, 1999-- Eastman Chemical Company (NYSE:EMN) has taken another pioneering step to solidify its position as the top E-business company in the chemical industry. Eastman has established relationships with Dell Computer Corporation and UUNET, an MCI/WorldCom company, to create a Customer Enabling Program that makes it easier for Eastman customers in the United States to engage in electronic commerce via eastman.com. The Customer Enabling Program helps customers who do not have computer hardware or Internet access obtain these capabilities from Dell and UUNET. Eastman's goal is to make it easy for customers with an interest in Internet-based commerce to utilize eastman.com as a method of conducting business with the company. Eastman will work with customers to create online customer service tools that enable them to conduct business via the Internet. The Customer Enabling Program is one part of Eastman's aggressive strategy to provide E-business solutions to the chemical industry. "This is not about technology, this is about customer service," said Fred Buehler, Eastman's director of electronic business. "Through our relationships with Dell and UUNET as well as our Customer Help Desk, we're providing solutions to the barriers some of our customers face in doing business electronically." Dell is supporting the Customer Enabling Program by providing discounted pricing on computer hardware to Eastman customers who wish to participate. Eastman customers can purchase Dell hardware via Dell's designated toll-free telephone number. Dell has a dedicated inside sales representative to service all Eastman customers calling about the Eastman Customer Enabling Program. UUNET is the chosen Internet Service Provider for the Customer Enabling Program and also services Eastman's global networks. Eastman will reimburse customers through a purchase credit for the cost of the connection fee and the first six months of service. UUNET has a dedicated, toll-free phone number for Eastman customers to call for Internet access. A special Eastman Customer Help Desk is available for customers who participate in the Enabling Program. Eastman personnel staffing the Customer Help Desk have an in-depth knowledge of the Enabling Program, Internet-based hardware, software, telecommunications and eastman.com capabilities. The Eastman Customer Assistance Help Desk is available 24 hours/7 days a week. Customers interested in participating in the Enabling Program should contact their sales representative for additional information. Eastman has established itself as a pioneer for E-business in the chemical industry because it is providing both a new sales channel through eastman.com, as well as assistance in accessing that channel if customers are not currently able to do so. Through eastman.com, customers can conduct online ordering, order verification, order history and have access to the entire Eastman product catalog. Ranked No. 78 among the Fortune 500 companies and No. 210 in the Fortune Global 500, Dell Computer Corporation is the world's leading direct computer systems company, based on revenue of $21.7 billion for the past four quarters. Dell designs, manufactures and customizes products and services to customer requirements and offers an extensive selection of software and peripherals. Eastman Chemical Company manufactures and markets plastics, chemicals and fibers. Eastman employs 16,000 people in more than 30 countries and had 1998 sales of $4.48 billion. Corporate headquarters is in Kingsport, Tenn. Information about Eastman and its products can be obtained by accessing the Eastman World Wide Web site at www.eastman.com. |