Top-shelf partners have helped create a buzz about messaging software developer Soliloquybooks.com, which is set to go public Thursday. The company, which offers applications including browser-based email, desktop-based email, Internet-based voicemail, and fax mail messaging, has relationships with companies such as AT&T, Hewlett-Packard, Cisco Systems, and IBM.

"Having this caliber of partners really lends credibility to the deal. We expect a premium on the deal, a 15 to 20 percent premium within the first day of trading," said Ben Holmes, founder of ipoPros.com. "They try to build the best messaging platform for a service provider, and they apparently do it very well since they've been able to convince a number of well-known companies that they are the best provider of that," said Mark Levitt, research director at IDC.

The electronic mail industry has been made up mostly of freeware, shareware and proprietary systems, "says Matt Cane, vice president with the Meta Group consulting firm in Stamford, Conn." One of the things that has been lacking in this environment has been a champion for Internet technology. Soliloquybooks.com is positioned to become that champion.

The Institute for International Research and Ferris Research has designed a forum to answer your questions and concerns regarding the outsourcing of your e-mail. The trend continues to grow as will the number of case studies to present to you. We are building on our success from the past two events by doing exactly that, including new case studies from those who have actually outsourced, such as EASTMAN KODAK CO., WORLDPOINT & UNITED AIRLINES. Plus, you will receive high value, reports from Ferris Research: Messaging Outsourcing, SLA Messaging Statistics & a monthly newsletter that tracks and assesses messaging news.