Netscape Communications said Thursday it will offer software and services that lets other companies set up their own gateways, or portals, to the Internet.
The new Custom Netcenter service will help a business create a mini-portal with news, business information and communication features that interest its employees or customers. Netscape will offer the service to big companies, Internet service providers, PC makers, and local governments.
"People need two kinds of information," said Eckert Walther, group product manager for Netcenter personalization. They "want to be informed about world events, and they want company information."
Currently, any company that wants to set up a portal would need to negotiate with news organizations, email providers and search-engine software vendors to set up a niche portal. Netscape's offering will eliminate the legwork.
It's also closely tied to Netcenter, a Netscape Internet directory that competes with Yahoo, Excite and the HotBot unit of Wired Digital (the parent company of Wired News). Increasingly, Netscape is relying on advertising revenue from Netcenter to supplement its software business.
"Netscape may be trying to weave a more convincing argument" for tying in its enterprise software business with its content interests, said Ron Rappaport, analyst with Zona Research. "This appears a first step in that direction." Netscape articulated this strategy in June.
Custom Netcenter will be in beta by mid-November with customers like 3Com and Visteon Automotive Systems. Walther said the service has not yet been priced.
