OpenSite Helps John Deere Pave Way to Online Auctions for Dealers

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 8, 1999-- Remarketing Services of John Deere North American Agricultural Marketing Center announced today the creation of a used equipment retail auction site for its dealers.

The site, created using OpenSite Technologies' Concierge auction service, will complement MachineFinder.com (John Deere's used-equipment search site) and allow retail customers to bid on used equipment posted for auction by John Deere dealers.

"Choosing OpenSite's Concierge service lets us and our dealers focus on the business of selling equipment, instead of running an auction site," said Bill Holstun of John Deere Company. "We simply want to offer our loyal dealers one more distribution channel that they can take advantage of and profit from, and to help new and existing retail customers find the best deals possible on used equipment."

With the new MachineFinder Auction, John Deere will serve as an intermediary or facilitator - building a marketplace for buyers and sellers of used agricultural equipment. The site will expand the dealers' reach to more retail customers, enhancing their used-equipment sales potential. The auction will not be limited to John Deere equipment, since dealers take various brands of equipment in trade for new or used John Deere equipment. And, while most of the equipment will be agricultural equipment, lawn-and-garden and construction equipment may also be available for auction. The site will go live on September 15, and will be accessible at http://www.machinefinderauction.com or through http://www.machinefinder.com.

"We are very excited about adding John Deere to our list of Concierge customers," said Kip Frey, OpenSite president and CEO. "Auctions can provide the opportunity to add growth to any commerce strategy, and John Deere has recognized the tremendous incremental business opportunity for itself and its channel. Both John Deere and its dealers will benefit from this competitive move."

OpenSite's Concierge service is a fully outsourced auction solution, letting John Deere establish an online auction quickly and cost-effectively. Using Concierge, John Deere will establish a branded, sophisticated, fully functional auction that integrates seamlessly into its corporate web site. For a monthly fee, OpenSite will provide setup, site design, software, hosting, and auction maintenance (adding items, maintaining auctions, creating winners lists, etc.). John Deere simply needs to provide item data, bill the winners and ship the products.

More about John Deere Remarketing Services

John Deere Remarketing Services facilitates the sale of used equipment for John Deere Agricultural Dealers. Remarketing Services provides an innovative management system via the Internet that assists dealers in organizing, managing and profitably turning their used equipment inventory. More information about John Deere Remarketing Services can be found at http://www.deere.com.

More about OpenSite Technologies Inc.

OpenSite's solutions, which include a variety of dynamic pricing software and services, enable merchants to create branded, Internet-based dynamic commerce sites. With an installed base of over 300 customer sites, OpenSite brings together buyers and sellers, helping businesses create new sales channels, manage inventory, attract new customers, introduce new products and strengthen customer and other business relationships. More information about OpenSite is available at http://www.opensite.com.