Article in New Media Age Magazine Features innovative Compsoft Technology.

Online shopping technology has been given a new twist with the launch of a desktop shopping portal that allows high street brands to send targeted messages directly to a customer`s PC.

The Compsoft developed CompleteShopper portal and database is permanently downloaded to the user`s computer and is hosted on their desktop. From time to time the software will connect to a central server for updates and will download promotional messages that have been issued by featured high street retailers.

"Throughout the user experience there`s no external load on any main server, so the user is driving their own software," said Phil Lenton, Business Development Director at Compsoft, which designed the portal. "This reduces costs for CompleteShopper because it doesn`t have to invest in any hardware."

The portal sits at the bottom of the desktop and the user can create their own virtual high street by selecting ten retail brands to appear in the application. Their logos automatically appear on the user`s screen when they switch on their computer and act as a shortcut to the retailers` Web sites. More than 150 high street brands are listed on CompleteShopper, and users can amend their choice at any time.

Users have the option to receive regular updates on special offers from their selected brands, which provides merchants with a new direct marketing channel. Retailers can send an online message to customers based on demographic criteria, and their company icon will flash on the users desktop when a new message has been received.

"Spam is now virtually unusable by any corporation unless the communication is explicitly requested," said Lenton. "CompleteShopper" enables the user to choose which companies they`re willing to receive messages from"

The CompleteShopper download is around 25mb in size and can be installed with a narrowband or broadband connection.

New Media Age, 22 July 2004