Netscape hikes prices to offer better support

Browser developer Netscape has raised prices by up to 30 per cent because it says corporate customers want more support.

Marc Andreessen, Netscape senior VP of technology, said customers do not mind if prices are a little higher as long as they can get better support.

He admitted Netscape needs to increase its service levels but claimed the company still provides its customers with cheaper software solutions than its competitors. One Californian internet Var agreed that Netscape customers will swallow the price rise without complaint.

The rises affect Suitespot, up $1,000 to $4,995, and Enterprise Server, up $300 to $1,295. On 1 April, the Communicator desktop bundle will rise $10 to $59.

From 1 March, Netscape will offer a programme with five levels of support.

Expert Alliance will provide 24-hour support from assigned engineers for multinational corporates; Expert to Expert will give large companies unlimited support; Expert Desk will offer incident-based support terms for small and medium enterprises; and Response Desk will be a similar scheme for SoHo customers. Finally, Response Line provides incident-based support packs for the consumer market.

The company, therefore, has changed its enterprise licensing prices to allow customers to choose their level of support, rather than providing basic coverage to all.