PeopleSoft is to strengthen its CRM offering with the purchase of privately held Annuncio Software. Annuncio’s marketing automation solution for email and web customer interaction, combined with PeopleSoft’s CRM solution, will enable companies to automate and personalize online customer business interactions within a single integrated CRM solution. This functionality will give PeopleSoft customers the ability to execute marketing campaigns utilizing online dialog and web site marketing to maintain realtime personalized conversations with customers.

The dialog marketing capability being acquired by PeopleSoft automatically coordinates personalized interactions with customers through email, web links, banner ads and direct mail. Personalized landing pages and surveys on web sites, as well as targeted follow up offers, can be used to drive customer loyalty and maximize each customer interaction. These web site marketing features enable companies to personalize products, services and content presented on their websites.

This acquisition demonstrates PeopleSoft’s continued commitment to expand our industry leading pure internet customer relationship management (CRM) solution, said PeopleSoft Senior Vice President and CRM General Manager Stan Swete. The expanded functionality will enable companies to build loyal customer relationships, increase revenue, and communicate more effectively through more interactive media where costs can be lower, more information can be conveyed, and more personalized offers and promotions can be delivered.

PeopleSoft has made another smart acquisition in its drive to build its technology portfolio, said Joshua Greenbaum, principal, Enterprise Applications Consulting, Daly City, Calif. Combining Annuncio’s software with PeopleSoft CRM extends PeopleSoft’s base of functionality and increases its competitiveness in the market.

The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including the approval of Annuncio’s stockholders. Stockholders of Annuncio holding sufficient shares to approve the acquisition have agreed to vote in favor of the acquisition. The acquisition is scheduled to close during the first quarter of 2002.

Annuncio was founded in 1997. It is a privately held company.