Interprise, which provides Internet solutions for the entrepreneur, has announced a value-added e-mail and domain registration service to users of Absa`s free dialup service.
The service, called Istart, is a starter product aimed at adding features which are not available with the Absa or any other free Internet service, maintains Pat Wallace, director of Interprise.
"The Istart service for only R49 a month is aimed at SMEs and professionals since a reliable and efficient e-mail service is an integral part of their business," says Wallace. "It includes Internet domain registration, a friendly customised e-mail address, linked to a user`s own domain name, a large 20MB mailbox and a certificate of ownership of a domain name."
Wallace says with Istart, users will still have free dialup to the Internet with Absa, but they will be given different settings for their mail box account, which will be linked to and hosted by Interprise.
"With Istart users can have the same e-mail address for the rest of their lives, even if they later change ISPs. For example, instead of name@freemail.absa.co.za, users can have their own personalised e-mail addresses, such as pat@wallace.co.za or joe@soap.co.za.
"The registration of the domain name enables one to later develop a website with that name and Interprise offers additional value add services, such as web design and development, hosting and e-commerce solutions. By offering a mailbox four times the size of standard consumer mailboxes, users can lessen, if not eliminate, the problem of mail bouncing back."
Wallace points out that Interprise welcomes the free Internet access launched by Absa earlier this year as it believes this will stimulate the consumer market and encourage users who previously could not afford the monthly charges to now dial up and use the Web. "However, for those small businesses out there that who are considering moving to the free access, or have already subscribed to it, they need to be aware of the following possible pitfalls:
* If wanting to change to another ISP, there`s the cost of changing business cards, letterheads and adverts in order to change your e-mail address;
* Potentially lower service levels;
* Limited bandwidth;
* Long distance connectivity to POPs; and
* Cell phone rates for support."
Wallace points out that Interprise is an ISP for the small business community and professionals. "We have clearly defined Internet solutions for the SME market and for the business entrepreneur."
She advises that should small businesses grow and need a more professional service, Istart is upgrade-able to Interprise`s Inhanced dial up service, available through Interprise`s nation wide dealer network.
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