IBM Announces Software for Enterprise Communications: Exstream Dialogue Now Available From IBM

IBM (NYSE: IBM) announced today the availability of Exstream Dialogue for workstation server platforms, a comprehensive suite of business communications middleware. Exstream Dialogue is a single product comprised of over 65 integrated modules that can be used by companies to design, manage, produce and distribute a wide range of variable documents for multi-channel delivery -- including high-volume print and interactively through the Internet.

Exstream Dialogue is especially focused on streamlining complex document creation processes and producing higher value communications such as customer statements, 401(k) reports, policies, correspondence, marketing and bills. Companies in a variety of industries, including financial services, insurance, service provider, telecommunications, utilities, hospitality, retail, and government can benefit from Dialogue's unique ability to help get communications to market faster, reduce document production costs, and increase customer response.

Dialogue is designed to integrate with and work within companies' existing infrastructures, systems and workflows -- including high-volume print environment; with application systems such as CRM, archival and customer service; as well as with web and interactive systems.

"Companies are looking to create high-value documents and extend how they reach their customers while at the same time controlling overall costs," said Karen Fukuma, vice president for IBM's Printing Systems. "IBM and Exstream provide a powerful combination to address these challenges."

Improve customer response with high-value documents

Dialogue can help transform customer communications into highly personalized, high-value documents. Customer-specific information can be added and formatted for maximum impact. Basic information can be enhanced with variable graphics, tables, images, and a wide variety of dynamic charts. These capabilities can help expand touch points, boost response rates, improve cash flow, improve customer service and satisfaction, and reward the best customers.

Expedite time to market

Dialogue can help reduce document development time and decrease time to market in a number of ways. A collaborative design workflow enables key stakeholders to be actively involved in the design process. With the "design once, deliver anywhere" architecture of Dialogue, documents can be designed once and then automatically produced for a wide range of print and electronic delivery channels.

Reduce costs

Dialogue can help take cost out of the business communication process, including design, review, test, production, print, and electronic delivery. Programming costs can be reduced as documents are produced via a graphical design process. Print costs can be reduced with better performing high-volume documents and an efficient print workflow. Print costs can also be substantially reduced by moving communications to electronic delivery or householding documents for mailing. More effective documents integrated with CRM and customer service functions can help reduce overall call center costs.

A key part of the wider output management infrastructure

Exstream Dialogue is available on a variety of system platforms including Windows®, IBM AIX®, Sun Solaris™, and Linux®. It is designed to interface with key middleware components such as IBM WebSphere®, Content Management, MQ Series®, Print Services Facility™, and Infoprint® Manager. It has proven to be a key component in the production printing environment, working with IBM production printers and IBM workflow applications. Finally and most importantly, IBM and Exstream are uniquely positioned to put these pieces to work for enterprise companies.

About IBM Printing Systems Division

For more information on IBM's comprehensive output management offerings, contact an IBM sales representative or visit www.ibm.com/printers

About Exstream Software

Exstream Software provides enterprise software solutions for businesses around the world to streamline document creation processes and produce higher quality, relevant communications of all types for delivery through print/mail and online channels. Companies in the financial services, insurance, service provider, telecommunications, utilities, hospitality, retail, government and other industries benefit by getting communications to market faster, reducing document production costs, and increasing customer response.