Hoover’s, Inc. announced the launch of Hoover’s Connect, a business networking tool that helps users get introduced to and establish relationships with targeted prospects. This launch coincides with Hoover’s agreement to acquire Visible Path, the company that had been powering Hoover’s Connect Beta for the past year. The financial terms of the deal are not disclosed.

Hoover’s Connect will give Hoover’s subscribers comprehensive business insight along with professional social networking, to provide the fastest path to business. Unlike other social networking services, Hoover’s Connect provides an effective, non-intrusive way for its users to connect to a person through someone the prospect may already have a strong relationship with, and who is therefore best suited to make that introduction.

What distinguishes Hoover’s Connect from other professional business networking tools is its ability to identify users’ strongest relationships by evaluating their Outlook systems such as e-mail and calendars. The service then assesses the strength of those connections and rates them accordingly, all while maintaining customer privacy. Hoover’s Connect lets users evaluate in advance the potential of a particular networking opportunity and tailor communications accordingly, ultimately enhancing the success of online relationship building.

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