Media Relations

PeoplePC and Ingersoll-Rand Launch Program to Wire 50,000 Active and Retired Employees; Ingersoll-Rand to Market PeoplePC's Complete Computer Bundles to Employees

9/27/2001 8:32:00 AM

SAN FRANCISCO, Sep 27, 2001 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- PeoplePC (Nasdaq:PEOP), the company that makes it easy and affordable to get online, and Ingersoll-Rand (NYSE:IR), a leading diversified industrial firm, today launched a corporate connectivity program for IR's approximately 50,000 active and retired employees, offering a complete computer and Internet service bundle to employees.

The new program will provide IR employees and retirees with all the components of PeoplePC service, including a new IBM computer, unlimited Internet access, superior technical support, a warranty, and membership in a unique online community. IR's employees and retirees will be able to choose between three PeoplePC desktop solutions, one laptop solution, and an ISP-only solution. PeoplePC has designed a co-branded welcome page for IR similar to the kind it has developed for its other enterprise customers, such as Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F), Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL), Vivendi Universal (NYSE:V), Bertelsmann AG, Cinergy Corp., and the New York Times Company (NYSE:NYT).

"IR is a forward-thinking company eager to ramp up the technology skills of its workers, provide a compelling benefit, and create a powerful and cost-efficient new communications channel with its employees and retirees," said Nick Grouf, chairman and chief executive officer, PeoplePC, Inc. "We are thrilled to be able to supply the company's employees with a simple and economical way to get connected and help the company move various employee and retiree activities to a digital platform."

"We selected PeoplePC because of the company's impressive track record delivering such programs to other global enterprises and because they specialize in customized, turnkey solutions that build ongoing digital connections with employees," said Ed Van Haute, IR's project manager for Employee Connectivity. "Working with PeoplePC, we are able to offer employees and retirees affordable, hassle-free solutions and incentives to get online."

IR will market the program to employees across the country in a 21-city enrollment tour. Employees and retirees will be able to sample the various bundle options and receive information concerning the October enrollment period.

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Note to Editors: 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.
                  Lisa Murray, 415/901-6987
                  lmurray@peoplepchq.com