Media Relations

PeoplePC Selected by Cinergy Corp. to Offer Employees Affordable Home Computer and Internet Access

3/27/2001 8:46:00 AM

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 27, 2001--

The First Utility Company to Wire Its Workforce, Cinergy Will Make PeoplePC's Complete Personal Computing Solution Available to 7,500 Employees

PeoplePC (Nasdaq:PEOP), the company that makes it easy and affordable to get online, today announced a partnership with Cinergy Corp., one of the nation's leading diversified energy companies, to offer its 7,500 U.S. employees a home computer with Internet access.

The first utility company to invest in an employee connectivity program, Cinergy will subsidize the program so that employees pay a $7.00 monthly co-pay over a three-year term for PeoplePC's basic offer. The basic bundle includes one of Hewlett-Packard's latest desktop models, unlimited Internet access, 24/7 customer support, a three-year warranty, and membership in a unique online community. As with PeoplePC's other employee connectivity programs, employees will have the option to purchase higher-end desktops and laptops. In the case of employees who already own PCs, Cinergy will subsidize the cost of PeoplePC's ISP service for three years. Planning for the program has begun, and the rollout will commence in June.

"Cinergy joins a growing number of companies that are investing in their employees and their company's future by offering our complete computing solution at a very affordable cost," said Nick Grouf, chief executive officer, PeoplePC, Inc. "More and more, enterprises are finding that such programs both increase productivity by ramping up their employees' technology skills and help the company move to more of a digital platform for communications with employees and customers, thereby cutting costs and improving efficiency."

"We are entering the digital utility age, and PeoplePC provides the perfect turn-key solution to bring our employees and their families up to speed with today's technology," stated James E. Rogers, chairman, president and CEO of Cinergy. "It's a natural progression. As we start to read meters online and customers pay bills online, it only makes sense for us to wire our employees and create the most tech-savvy workforce possible."

Through this program, Cinergy employees will soon have access to a host of progressive HR services, including the ability to update benefits and manage their 401K accounts online. In addition, employees will eventually be able to access their work email from home.

PeoplePC pioneered the employee connectivity program and is already offering its complete computing solution to the employees of Vivendi Universal Group (NYSE:V), Ford Motor Company and Ford/Lincoln dealerships (NYSE:F), Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL), the New York Times Company (NYSE:NYT), and members of the unions affiliated with the National Trade Union Congress of Singapore. The company has extensive experience in managing highly complex, customized employee connectivity programs on a global scale, enabling corporations to help their employees gain the tangible business and personal benefits of e-literacy.

About PeoplePC

PeoplePC (Nasdaq:PEOP) is a company that makes it easy and affordable to get online so that everyone can have access to and participate in the digital economy. PeoplePC offers its unique end-to-end solution both to consumers and to corporations interested in wiring their workforces and creating deeper relationships with customers. A PeoplePC membership comes complete with a new, brand-name computer system, unlimited Internet access, and high-quality customer support and service. There's also a unique, customizable online community that fosters long-term connections with PeoplePC members and ongoing revenue possibilities. PeoplePC offers its services on a global basis, allowing people across the world to reap the rewards of the digital age. For more information, visit http://www.peoplepc.com.

About Cinergy

Cinergy Corp., one of the nation's leading diversified energy companies, has a focused strategy intent on growing its energy merchant business. The company owns, operates or has under development over 21,000 megawatts of generation. Cinergy has the 6th largest electricity trading organization in the U.S. as well as physical and financial gas trading capabilities of 17 bcf/day. The "Into Cinergy" power trading hub is the most liquid trading hub in the United States. Cinergy's energy merchant business operates in several regions of the U.S. and is based on a profitable balance of asset development, customer origination, marketing and trading, industrial-site cogeneration infrastructure development and plant operations.

Cinergy also owns regulated operations in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky that serve about 1.5 million electric customers and about 500,000 gas customers. In addition, Cinergy manages one of the industry's top power technology portfolios.

(c)2001 PeoplePC, Inc. All Rights Reserved. PeoplePC and its logos are among trademarks of PeoplePC, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks belong to their respective holders.

CONTACT:
PeoplePC Inc.
Kay Moffett, 415/901-6760 (Media)
kmoffett@peoplepchq.com
or
Edelman Public Relations
Melissa Yoblon, 212/704-4505 (Media)
melissa.yoblon@edelman.com
Torie Pennington, 212/704-4528 (Investor Relations)
torie.pennington@edelman.com