Netscape, Federal Express sign e-commerce pact

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (April 8) — FDX Corp., parent of package-delivery giant Federal Express, has signed a multiyear agreement with America Online to integrate its services with the Netcenter web site operated by AOL’s Netscape Communications subsidiary.

The deal will allow shoppers at Netcenter, a virtual storefront with an array of products for sale, to co-ordinate transportation of what they buy all at one site using Netscape’s Communicator Internet browser. Shipping services for products bought at Netcenter will automatically default to Federal Express. Shoppers also will be able to track their packages at “Delivery Center,” a FedEx “portal” on the Netcenter site.

Among the services becoming available over the next several months:

> Delivery Center, a standalone program accessible from the Netcenter portal where customers can track packages, ship FedEx packages online with FedEx interNetShip, get shipping rates, locate package drop off points, and access the latest information on FedEx and RPS Inc. a business-to-business package carrier also owned by FDX Corp.

> My Netscape Delivery Channel, where customers can customize their personal start page on the web to include the FedEx and RPS services they use often, such as tracking, FedEx interNetShip, rate finder, and drop-off locator.

> Netscape Address Book integration, available as part of the Netscape Contact address book. It will allow consumers to easily print shipping labels from their address book contact lists.

While Netcenter targets mostly business-to-business customers, AOL’s services are aimed at individuals. This agreement with Netscape could lead to ties with other AOL sites, the companies said.