Apr 5, 2005
Co-op rolls out FatWire content management with a smile
Co-operative Financial Services takes web management in house following success of smile

5 April 2005 - Co-operative Financial Services has chosen FatWire technology for its group web sites. Working with FatWire, the leading provider of content management solutions for Web sites, portals, and content-centric applications, the CFS has insourced three web sites in just ten months. The new web sites support each of its business units - Cooperative Financial Advisors, CIS, The Co-operative Bank. The organisation has achieved significant cost savings by bringing the content management for the sites in-house, as well as being able to update the information (often on a daily basis) easier and faster.

Following the initial success of the smile internet bank web site, based on FatWire Content Server, the solution was rolled out across the organisation. Content Server runs on a Sun Solaris system with BEA WebLogic application server and Apache Webserver. Alta Vista is the search engine used and a Management Information tool provides statistics and user information. Initially FatWire provided training and consultancy on the project before passing the management on to the in-house team.

The in-house team has a mix of marketing and Java script skills. They manage the content, implement the branding and promotions and ensure that the Service Level Agreements are in place to respond to internal customers from other business and marketing departments.

According to Jo Dodds, manager of CFS' new marketing web agency "Not only did the smile site prove how effective it is to run a web-site in-house, rolling out the FatWire software across the business has given us even more economies of scale. We can integrate marketing campaigns and develop web content very quickly now that we can manage the changes ourselves. The content management system does not require complex technical skills - it is straightforward to use."

Following the success of the web sites, the group is working on future projects with FatWire. These include the use of FatWire Engage, which allows marketing teams to create and manage the delivery of highly-targeted promotional campaigns.

About CFS
Co-operative Financial Services was formed in April 2002 to bring together the Co-operative Bank, Co-operative Insurance Society (CIS) and smile (the internet bank) under one group.

One of the largest financial services organisations in the UK, it has more than 7 million customers, with an annual income of £3.5 billion and assets under management of £31 billion. It offers customers a complete range of financial products, from high street banking to internet banking. Customers can apply for current accounts, credit cards and loans as well as stakeholder pensions, unit trusts, insurance and independent advice.

A recognised leader in the field of Socially Responsible Investment, the Co-operative Bank has a well-established Ethical Policy, which reached its tenth anniversary in 2002. The policy reflects customer's views about how their money should and shouldn't be invested.

About FatWire Software and Content Server
FatWire Software helps organizations put content to work by deploying content-centric applications and Web sites. Organizations in financial services, manufacturing, retail, media/entertainment, telecommunications, healthcare, and government use FatWire's solutions to improve sales, customer service, partner effectiveness, and employee productivity.

FatWire's solutions are powered by Content Server, which combines complete business user control over the creation and presentation of content with a scalable architecture for dynamic content delivery and multi-site deployment. Unlike other Content Management solutions that focus on getting content under control, FatWire's solutions enable organizations to put content to work by delivering highly targeted and persuasive experiences to customers, partners, and employees.

Founded in 1996, FatWire has over 400 customers, including J.P. Morgan Chase, Sony, Radisson/SAS, European Space Agency, Nihon Seimei, and Bank of China. FatWire is headquartered in New York and operates offices throughout North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. For more information about FatWire Software's award-winning products and services, visit www.fatwire.com.

Contact:

Andreina West
PR Artistry Ltd
Andreina@pra-ltd.co.uk
01491 636191

Darren Edwards
FatWire Software
Darren.edwards@fatwire.com
01784 497274