At first glance you might wonder how eSupport.com became a part of the Phoenix Technologies network. Phoenix, long known for its BIOS software, is the global market leader in system firmware that provides secure foundations for today's computing environments.
However, if you take a closer look at what Phoenix has been acquiring over the past year, you may see a pattern start to emerge. In May, Phoenix acquired BeInSync, an Israeli-based provider of an all-in-one solution that allows users to backup, synchronize, share and access their data online. In July, Phoenix announced the acquisition of Touchstone Software, the company that owned eSupport.com. Touchstone offers PC diagnostic and computer update technology for system management software. In September, Phoenix purchased General Software, Inc., a leading provider of embedded firmware that is at the heart of millions of devices worldwide.

“These acquisitions are part of the PC 3.0™ vision,” said Woody Hobbs, president and CEO of Phoenix Technologies. “We’re seeing a revolutionary transformation and simplification of the PC user experience. Consumers are demanding computers that are more consistent, convenient and dependable. Phoenix is committed to delivering that to them. While we continue to develop BIOS software and unique applications for the PC, eSupport.com allows Phoenix to offer online services and support to our millions of end users. ”

To get a better understanding of PC 3.0 and eSupport’s role in the vision, consider the next wave of Phoenix products. The company is currently developing Phoenix HyperSpace™, a virtual environment that can run side by side with Microsoft Windows. It allows users to have instant-on, always available access to applications like a web browser, multimedia player and instant messaging, even if Windows is unavailable. Phoenix FailSafe™ lets consumers and businesses protect and track lost or stolen devices and remotely manage the data stored on the compromised PCs.

Now, through eSupport.com, Phoenix is developing a strong online presence and infrastructure for web-based automated service delivery.

“Our goal is to give the user maximum control of their PC,” Hobbs said. “We’re committed to responding to consumer and business needs. The commitment is evident in everything we do – from instant-on, always available Internet access to restoring and protecting digital data. With eSupport.com products and services, our customers will be able to manage their PCs and digital assets quickly and easily.”

Under the eSupport.com umbrella, consumers will have access to a host of online products and services:

• BIOSAgentPlus allows users to update their computer BIOS within minutes
• DriverAgent scans PCs for outdated drivers and automatically updates them
• RegistryWizard identifies and fixes registry problems, harmful conflicts and systems errors to stabilize
  the performance of a PC
• Undelete-Plus restores accidentally deleted files
• BIOS Recovery lets users easily replace or upgrade the BIOS on their PCs
• BeInSync incorporates integrated online backup, secure file sharing with partners and colleagues, PC
  synchronization and remote web access