Boston, MA - January 30, 2002
For Boston based GenuOne, Inc. developing an Internet tracking
system to meet the brand security needs of the IT industry presented
the type of challenge they thrive on.
According to Marie Myers, Director of Cross Border Office for
Compaq Computer Corporation, the Internet has spurred growth in the
worldwide IT gray market. As a result, Compaq has implemented a program
to track both the authorized and unauthorized sales of its products
over the Internet. This program is part of a comprehensive solution
that monitors sales activities in order to ensure the highest levels of
customer satisfaction and to create a level playing field for
authorized distribution partners.
Compaq selected GenuOne, Inc. to design a dynamic ROI-driven
program to assist in the tracing and tracking of Compaq product sales
over the Internet. The result: the GenuNet Security System. GenuOne's
GenuNet Security System continually tracks and analyzes Internet
activities associated with Compaq products. As the GenuNet System
discovers any unauthorized sales activity, it creates a report that
allows Compaq to promptly take the appropriate action to address these
unauthorized sales.
Gray marketing refers to the sale of products outside of the
authorized distribution channel. Products sold through unauthorized
channels expose customers to the risks of purchasing counterfeit or
damaged products without the benefit of warranty. This practice
threatens to undermine the integrity of legitimate sales channels and
leads to decreased customer satisfaction.
"The GenuNet System is a remarkable solution to an intricate
problem. It identifies websites that display the Compaq name, logo and
products and determines if it is an authorized site," said Marie Myers,
Director, Compaq Cross Border Office. "The GenuNet Tool and the
research and development by GenuOne are providing the IT industry with
leading technology to address unauthorized sales activity." Added
Myers.
GenuOne, Inc. is working strategically with leading IT
companies to build a supply chain security strategy. That strategy,
according to GenuOne CEO Jeffrey Unger, "needs to encompass
authentication, tracking and control. The issues of gray market
activity can have a significant impact to an organization if not dealt
with appropriately. I applaud Compaq's foresight for proactively
addressing these issues and have been impressed with their insight and
vision in building an innovative solution."
The partnership between GenuOne and Compaq addresses the gray
market issue, not just for Compaq but also for other industry leaders
who are tackling this issue. In an industry-leading move, Compaq in
conjunction with 3Com and other leading IT companies, formed the
Anti-Gray Market Alliance, an industry initiative to stem gray
marketing of IT products.
About GenuOne
GenuOne systems enable companies to
secure their value chain from counterfeiting, product diversion and
intellectual property theft in the physical world and on the Internet.
GenuOne's portfolio of technologies for comprehensive authentication
and tracking of products helps GenuOne's clients minimize price,
channel and brand erosion, customer dissatisfaction, and loss in
shareholder value. For more information, please visit www.genuone.com.
GenuOne is a registered trademark of GenuOne, Inc. All rights reserved.
