Among the industry partners who plan to bundle the new tool into their product offerings are Dell Computer Corporation (Nasdaq: DELL), IBM (NYSE: IBM), Lotus and Novell, Inc., according to NetObjects.

Customized Brand-Building

The latest version of NetObjects" site-building tool includes new online options for site reporting analysis, hosting and promotional efforts, according to the company. Through the Publish View Customization option, for example, partners can create a special version of the tool that works only with their own hosting services or other offerings.

"Delivering customized versions of NetObjects Fusion MX is right in line with our strategy to reach the small business market through partners," said Samir Arora, chairman and chief executive officer of NetObjects.

In January, NetObjects sponsored an IDC white paper titled "Small Business eCommerce: Paving the Way for the Next Generation of Opportunity." The report said e-commerce-related revenue driven by small business will grow from US$21 billion in 1999 to $110 billion by 2003.

According to NetObjects, the new version of Fusion will be the company's most widely distributed release yet.

One-Source Service

Dell said it plans to preload NetObjects Fusion MX onto its PCs, just as it did with an earlier version of Fusion. It also plans to integrate the tool into its DellHost Web site hosting service, enabling customers to create their own Web sites and have them hosted for a monthly fee.

Such integrated offerings "make it easier and more affordable for small businesses to do business online," said Tim Mattox, vice president and general manager for DellHost. He added that the bundling of tools benefits "many of our customers who want a complete online solution from one source instead of dealing with multiple companies."

10 Million Copies Distributed

NetObjects said it licensed the distribution of more than 10 million copies of its earlier Fusion site-design tool.

An affiliate of IBM, NetObjects specializes in products and services for e-businesses.