ARN

PeopleSoft buys Annuncio technology in CRM push

Peoplesoft will offer its CRM customers marketing automation software for e-mail and Web campaigns through acquisition of technology assets from Annuncio Software.

The technology will provide PeopleSoft CRM customers with an option for executing marketing campaigns that use online dialog and Web site marketing for real-time, personalised conversations with customers, according to PeopleSoft.

Integration of the PeopleSoft and Annuncio technology is anticipated later this year, according to John Grozier, PeopleSoft vice president of CRM business development.

Through the Annuncio technology, CRM customers can, for example, send personalised e-mail to a customer based on profiles and preferences, whereupon a customer could be forwarded to a personalised Web page, Grozier said. Annuncio has a dialog marketing capability that automatically coordinates personalised interactions with customers through e-mail, Web links, banner ads, and direct mail, PeopleSoft said.

Currently, PeopleSoft offers marketing automation to CRM customers through a partnership with e2 Communications. But PeopleSoft wanted its own in-house technology, Grozier said"It's a technology we felt we needed to own as part of our own solution," Grozier said.

The transaction, which involves technology but not the acquisition of Annuncio itself, is expected to close later this quarter, Grozier said. PeopleSoft would not reveal the dollar amount of the transaction.