A More Affordable Communications Vehicle Hits the Market

CENTERVILLE, Ohio — eGOware Inc., the leading innovator in Permission Communication technology, recently introduced Desktop Ministries, a software solution that uses a Private Internet Communication Channel to deliver a church’s information directly and economically to members’ desktops, cell phones, PDAs, Bluetooths, Blackberries, faxes and other communication devices — all without using e-mail.

This proprietary Internet channel uses patented “push-pull” technology to create a proactive Member Channel that strengthens member relationships. Desktop Ministries’ proactive and interactive relationship capabilities make it a timely solution to church leaders’ catch-22: How can they reduce expense, yet continue to service members and increase their membership sizes?

In line with lean business times, Desktop Ministries is an affordable alternative to mailings, video conferencing, email and phone calls for handling one-on-one relationships.

No IT skills or hardware investment (other than personal computers) is required to send and receive Desktop Ministries communications. Simply by typing into a personal computer, a church can electronically publish, update and measure the results of its communications.

While the cost per message varies according to the size of information, total program costs are significantly less than the price of standard mail. Desktop Ministries can actually cut church costs by replacing more expensive communication methods and reducing member-related phone calls. Desktop Ministries is also an affordable alternative to setting up a church Intranet.

Desktop Ministries uses a Private Internet Communication Channel instead of e-mail to deliver messages and data files to a church’s branded message center on its members’ desktops. Unlike e-mail, Desktop Ministries guarantees 100-percent delivery of all messages, even when users change e-mail addresses or Internet providers. A further advantage over e-mail is the absence of firewalls, SPAM and competitors’ messages. Each branded message center is dedicated to a single eGOware church.

Desktop Ministries is designed to be a powerful proactive Church Channel with these revenue-generating features:

Desktop branding. A church’s logo is branded to members’ desktops, creating a secure, private message center. This daily visibility is valuable advertising for the church.

Targeted direct messages. Text or image messages can be easily targeted to specific individuals, zip codes, states, countries or a global list. They may contain Web or e-mail links and can be used to announce new products or services, offer special discounts and e-coupons, send invitations, take surveys, hold contests and more.

Interactive billboards. Updateable billboard messages advertise a church’s messages, with one-click access to its website.

Multiple Web and e-mail links. A drop-down communication menu drives qualified Web traffic up to 15 Web links, 10 document files and five e-mail links.

Offline access to document files and messages Automatic desktop alert of new information. This feature saves members the time and bother of looking in crowded e-mail boxes or going to a website to find out what’s new.

ROI results. Real-time user statistics can easily be viewed in eGOware’s e-publishing center.

Members appreciate the convenience of clicking on their favorite church’s desktop logo and finding all their latest messages, flyers, newsletters and more, which can be read offline. A drop-down communication menu with one-click access to the church’s key e-mail addresses and Web links facilitates member feedback and revisiting of Web pages.

Desktop Ministries users enjoy “preferred-member” status by receiving e-coupons, special offers, invitations, contests, surveys and useful information targeted to their interests. Desktop Ministry’s automatic desktop sends alerts of new information, another time-saving feature for members. To learn more, log on to www.egoware.com or call 800.472.7488.