Bridgeline Software Develops Extranet for John Hancock

Bridgeline Software Develops New Producer Extranet for John Hancock Life Insurance Company, Powered by netEDITOR-pro          

BURLINGTON, Mass., June 23, 2005 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bridgeline Digital, Inc. (NASDAQ:BLIN), a provider in cloud-based Web Content Management, eCommerce and Marketing Automation software, announced that its latest project, a new John Hancock producer extranet targeted to independent agents and brokers distributing Hancock Long Term Care products, has been successfully launched. Understanding the intense competition between carriers for agent/broker mindshare, the new LTC producer website (http://www.jhltc.com) was developed specifically to make doing business with John Hancock easier. The emphasis was on making the new site simpler, quicker, and better. To achieve their objectives, Hancock worked with Bridgeline Software to develop the project on their content management platform, netEDITOR-pro.

Bridgeline’s approach employed 6dm, their rigorous development methodology that includes an intense discovery period where internal and external stakeholders take part in focus groups and prototype evaluations. The end result includes highly simplified navigation and design, agent/broker personalization, channel customization, and enhanced document/collateral management. Recognizing that many brokers sell in only one or two states, site users can create their own profile complete with their state preferences. Quicklinks functionality allows the creation of a personal list of frequently used pages and materials on the site. Also, searching for content, documents and materials was made much more intuitive. Site users can easily look at a detailed view of any documents or marketing collateral, and even view an enlarged thumbnail image before opening the whole file or emailing the item or items directly from the extranet.

The jhltc.com producer extranet was developed using Bridgeline Software's web Content Management System, netEDITOR-pro. With netEDITOR-pro, non-technical users are empowered to maintain relevant content on the website while preserving the common look and feel across the site. In addition, netEDITOR-pro provides other advanced features such as enhanced workflow options, multiple site content publishing, group security, and LDAP and active directory support. As an Application Integration Platform, netEDITOR-pro enables any software developer to easily integrate web content management and other proprietary databases and applications under a single unified framework.

About John Hancock Long Term Care Insurance

Today, John Hancock, a unit of Manulife Financial Corporation, is one of the largest providers of LTC insurance overall with more than 800,000 clients and $1.1 billion of in-force premium. Having entered the retail LTC insurance market in 1987, John Hancock is the second-largest provider of individual coverage in the country. John Hancock began selling group LTC insurance in 1988 and today is the largest provider of employer-sponsored LTC insurance in the U.S.

About John Hancock and Manulife Financial

John Hancock is a unit of Manulife Financial Corporation, a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 19 countries and territories worldwide. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia, and primarily through John Hancock in the United States, the Company offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were Cdn$350 billion (US$290 billion) as at March 31, 2005. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '0945' on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at http://www.manulife.comThe John Hancock Division, through its insurance companies, comprises one of the largest life insurers in the United States. John Hancock today offers a broad range of financial products and services, including whole life, term life, variable life, and universal life insurance, as well as college savings products, fixed and variable annuities, long term care insurance, mutual funds and various forms of business insurance.

About Bridgeline Digital

Bridgeline Digital, The Digital Engagement Company™, helps customers maximize the performance of their full digital experience - from websites and intranets to online stores and campaigns. Bridgeline's Unbound (formerly iAPPS®) platform deeply integrates Web Content Management, eCommerce, eMarketing, Social Media management, and Web Analytics to help marketers deliver digital experiences that attract, engage, nurture and convert their customers across all channels. Headquartered in Burlington, Mass., Bridgeline has thousands of quality customers that range from small- and medium-sized organizations to Fortune 1000 companies. To learn more, please visit www.bridgeline.com or call (800) 603-9936.