Two Industry Leaders Provide Comprehensive Array Of Online Tools For Small Businesses
For Immediate Release
Contact: MAIL BOXES ETC.
Mail Boxes Etc. Global Headquarters
(858) 455-8982
PR@mbe.com
SAN DIEGO, CALIF. AND CHICAGO, ILL (October 18, 1999) -
Mail Boxes Etc. (MBE), the world’s largest franchisor of retail business, communications and postal service centers, and DigitalWork.com, the first "do-it-yourself" business agency, today introduced MBE’s virtual business center -- www.mbebiz.com -- providing a unique package of services for the small-office / home-office (SOHO) market.
With connectivity to MBE's more than 4,000 locations worldwide, mbebiz.com, which targets the booming SOHO community, offers an unparalleled link to the bricks-and-mortar world. While mbebiz.com can be used independently, this connection to the real world provides a complete "support circle" for the SOHO market.
"We know that SOHO and small-business executives are traditionally stretched when it comes to time, money, manpower and operational expertise. Small-office and home-office users comprise the world’s fastest growing business market, and mbebiz.com provides them with a variety of customized online services to help make business easier," said James Amos, MBE president and chief executive officer. "mbebiz.com can truly stand on its own to handle SOHO needs in the easiest, most convenient manner possible."
MBE teamed up with DigitalWork.com to benefit from its unique proprietary methodology that incorporates education, intuitive wizards and a live customer support team to help small-business owners complete many of their most common business tasks online, usually in less than an hour and at prices generally less than $100. The MBE virtual business center offers marketing services, press release distribution, notification of trade show opportunities, banner ad campaign launches, competitive industry research, online recruitment of temporary employees and collection of past due accounts.
"We recognize and have built our business model around the basic premise that small- business owners wear many hats and need a resourceful partner to help them grow their business," said Rob Schultz, DigitalWork.com CEO and founder. "Through this partnership with MBE, DigitalWork.com continues to level the playing field, helping small businesses get work done, on time and on budget."
"By virtue of MBE’s mission, technology strategy, and thousands of convenient locations, we are ideally positioned to be the premier provider of both physical and virtual business services for the SOHO consumer," said Amos. "Our virtual business center is another example of how MBE is bringing high-trust and high-touch to the world of high-tech."
In addition to business support services, mbebiz.com will offer a print shop with a wide range of templates to help small-business owners order customized business supplies, including stationery, business cards, labels, envelopes and rubber stamps. The business center also includes an MBE locator so small-business owners can pick up their online orders at the nearest MBE location. Customers also can have their printing orders shipped directly to their address.
Future plans for the virtual business center call for the development of web-based shipping services, the ability to purchase office and packaging supplies, and the ability to determine mailbox rental availability for a specific MBE location.
About Mail Boxes Etc.
Mail Boxes Etc., a wholly owned subsidiary of US Office Products Company (NASDAQ: OFIS), is the world’s
largest franchisor of retail business, communication and postal service centers. There are more than
4,000 MBE locations operating worldwide, with master licensing agreements in place for the development
of the MBE business in 60 countries around the world. In the United States, MBE centers are owned and
operated by licensed franchisees of Mail Boxes Etc., USA, Inc. Outside the United States, MBE centers
are owned and operated by MBE master licensees or their franchisees. MBE maintains a Web site
at http://www.mbe.com.
About US Office Products
US Office Products is one of North America's leading providers of office supplies, office furniture, and office coffee and vending services. USOP also owns MBE, the world's largest franchiser of business communications and postal service centers, with more than 4,000 locations in 29 countries around the world. In addition, USOP owns Blue Star Group Limited, a leading
supplier of office products and business services in New Zealand and Australia, and a 49% interest in
Dudley Stationery Limited, the second largest contract stationer in the United Kingdom. USOP's Web site
address is www.usop.com.
About DigitalWork.com
DigitalWork.com, the first "Do-It-Yourself" business agency, was founded in April 1998 to help the more than 10 million small businesses in the U.S. grow and succeed. Combining the "do-it-yourself" empowerment inherent in the Internet, with expertise, a proven methodology, customer service and support, DigitalWork.com produces results for growing businesses by enabling them to complete common business tasks in public relations, marketing, human resources, finance and information technology. With DigitalWork.com, growing businesses can complete these critical tasks in record time, without the high costs associated with bricks and mortar professional agencies. Through its unique partnership strategy, DigitalWork.com teams with more than 50 leading companies like AT&T, BellSouth, Citibank, IBM, iVillage, Lycos and MBE to revolutionize the way small businesses work. For more information about Chicago-based DigitalWork.com, a privately held corporation, visit www.digitalwork.com.
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