E-Channel: DotPlanet.com Rolls Out New Portal

Posted: 10/2000

DotPlanet.com Rolls Out New Portal
By Tara Seals

DotPlanet.com Inc. (www.dotplanet.com),
an Atlanta-based ISP, has announced alliances with strategic partners that will
add offerings such as long-distance calling to the portfolios of the dot com’s
agents.

The company also has launched a financial web portal that will give agents access to value-added products, such as back-office and debt management.

DotPlanet.com believes its decision to use channel partners will be the key to its success.

The
company initiated its expansion through an alliance with Atlanta-based Avana
Communications Inc. (www.avanacorp.net),
an ICP. The union offers its agents, known as "I-Associates,"
long-distance and toll-free calling, and calling card services. DotPlanet.com
also established a strategic partnership with Palm Beach, Fla.-based
Consejero.com (www.consejero.com), a
Spanish-language financial portal.

DotPlanet.com says its mantra is “helping Middle America to discover and maximize the utility of the Internet.”

Its 30,000 I-Associates function as personal consultants to friends or neighbors who are new and inexperienced Internet users. Each I-Associate acts as an independent agent for DotPlanet.com business partners.

Between alternate channel distribution and the alliances, DotPlanet.com president Jonathan Berger believes his company, founded in January, will have a positive cash flow early next year.

“Unlike the innumerable dot-com contenders out there, we have a solid, proven business model and solid performance record,” notes Berger. “Our advantage lies in our 30,000 I-Associates who personally interact with our customers while providing our products and services. We have essentially married a traditional, proven way of selling with the greatest business tool of the 21st century, and we are rapidly beginning to reap the rewards.”

The
company also launched DotMoney. com, a vertical financial portal, as a resource
for small and medium-sized businesses and families unfamiliar with the financial
resources available through the Internet. It offers a selection of investment
and advisory options. DotPlanet.com’s agents earn commissions by driving traffic
to the site and selling the services of strategic partners.