AOL seeks sales Solution

America Online leaps toward generating more electronic merchandising sales with the launch of Storefront Solution, a tool for e-commerce that relies on VeriSign's security technology.

It will be offered to customers of AOL PrimeHost. Storefront Solution is supposed to make it quicker to set up an online commercial site and resolve security and site maintenance problems.

As previously reported by CNET, much of AOL's future hinges on moving away from reliance on subscriber fees. As the fight for subscribers heats up, AOL must generate more revenue from online transaction fees and advertising. Competitors abound: the Microsoft Network relaunches this week, and it faces an onslaught of competition from Internet service providers and telephone companies such as AT&T, MCI Telecommunications, and Sprint.

"The promise of speed and security is setting the standard criteria for businesses looking to stake their claim with online commerce," said Carlie Ross, general manager of AOL PrimeHost in a statement.

AOL PrimeHost will automatically enroll Storefront Solution customers for a VeriSign Digital ID. "As the Web evolves into a viable medium for commerce, merchants want to be able to provide their customers with the option of buying goods and services online," said VeriSign chief executive Stratton Sclavos.