Ease of use has been the priority in developing multi-device access since breathe.com was launched in 1999:
– the web site and WAP portal mirror each other exactly so that the navigation route is the same whether browsing via a PC or on the phone;
– users are given a single login for all breathe’s services, whether accessed via a PC or WAP phone;
– any mobile network can be used to access breathe.com; and
– breathe has also developed a voice recognition product, which can be used to navigate the portal. This is particularly useful for people driving and on the move.
The purchase of the assets of breathe.com brings to GUS:
– established skills and technology for managing information content on portals and providing multi-device access to the internet. This will be particularly attractive to Reality, whose clients are increasingly demanding the ability to communicate and sell to their customers through many channels, be it via phone, mobile phone, the internet or digital TV;
– an experienced management team, with around 80 staff in the technical and service development team, with a depth of expertise across web, WAP and voice access platforms, together with web content and personalisation tools; and
– an established internet portal, with over 300,000 registered customers, including 70,000 dial-up users.
John Peace, Chief Executive of GUS, said: We are very pleased to have the opportunity to use the information and technology that we have acquired with breathe.com. The company has been very advanced in developing multi-device access to the internet, with ease of use the top most priority.
In the nine months to 30 September 2000, breathe.com generated sales of GBP1.4m, predominantly from advertising revenue and commissions. GUS expects breathe.com to incur losses of between GBP4m and GBP7m in its next financial year.
