Claris works towards smaller business surfers

Claris is aiming to make a name for itself as an Internet software supplier in the small to medium-sized business markets, when it ships a localised Internet-enabled version of Claris Works some time within the next quarter.

Claris Works 4 Internet Edition bundles the company?s well-known office suite with connectivity tools for the Internet. These include the Apple Internet Connection Kit for Mac users and a selection of access, email and browser software, including Netscape Navigator for Windows 95 users. Also included are the Claris Home Page Web authoring package and two CD-Roms: The ABC of the Internet and Internet Yellow Pages.

Claris UK has closed a deal with ISP Uunet Pipex to provide 28 days of free access with the Internet Edition. Claris UK country manager Tony Speakman said that Uunet Pipex had been chosen because of its worldwide infrastructure. ?We wanted to go with the biggest and best,? he said.

?We want to provide small businesses and departmental users with everything they?d need to get established on the Web. We?ll price this aggressively, in the #99-#129 range, to make sure it sells through retail and reseller outlets.?

Speakman confirmed that the product will be available through Claris distributors Frontline and Computers Unlimited by April.

Claris has always marketed its Works suite as ?a slim alternative to bloated suites?, but Speakman refused to comment on suggestions that Claris might commit itself to a Java-based ?slim apps? suite similar to the one recently announced by Corel.

?All I?d say is wait and see,? he said.