Bringing the Little Guys Online

vJungle, a Redmond, WA-based integrated application services provider has entered into a strategic partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration to benefit small business owners.

Rolled out in phases and starting with the Pacific Northwest, SBA users can register for online classes, receive educational tips, streaming video presentations, related articles, newsletters and complete access to fully integrated web-based business services.

“SBA’s mission is to help small businesses start, grow and become competitive in global markets, which is critical to their achievement,” said Bob Meredith, SBA Seattle district director. “vJungle’s vision and ability to deliver streamlined business applications to small businesses aligns with that of the SBA; their technology can help millions of small businesses in the U.S. today.”

Launching at the end of this year, the joint project gives users the ability to receive important educational tips from the SBA, register for a variety of classes and provides the gateway for an optional online small business account provided by vJungle.

Users who sign up for a vJungle business account will receive integrated services and resources such as company-wide email accounts, instant “flash” messaging, a company intranet, file sharing and storage, calendar functionality, and a web site builder at no cost.

In addition, small business owners will be able to use these services in an advertisement-free environment.

vJungle will also offer businesses the opportunity to expand their existing services with enhanced fee-based services such as an online print shop, electronic fax capabilities, payroll and online bill payment.

“This partnership is a smart move for both vJungle and the SBA,” said Laurie McCabe, vice president, Summit Strategies. “With vJungle’s strength in its OpenEX technology and the SBA”s expertise in the needs of growing businesses, this partnership will add considerable value to small-business users nationwide, many of whom already utilize the SBA in the offline world.”

Future phases slated to debut over the next few months will enhance the co-branded SBA and vJungle web site.