ExciteAtHome Launching Web Portal for Businesses.

ExciteAtHome plans to launch a Web site today that focuses on business users, joining a growing crowd of Internet companies that offer services to small and medium-size businesses. The Redwood City company, which provides high-speed Internet access and content, will roll out Work.com, a portal for professionals seeking online resources. The site, which is in its early stages, eventually will let users build storefronts on the Net, develop corporate portals, rent software and get articles and content on various subjects. It also will provide Web hosting and Internet access. 'Business users will have a one-stop shop with regard to content, services and applications that fit the needs of the business professional,' said Eric van Miltenburg, director of business development for the AtWork division of ExciteAtHome. Companies like ExciteAtHome are racing to build business-centric portals that can generate revenue from advertising, subscriptions and sales of services, like building e-commerce sites. ExciteAtHome and other Net companies are trying to compete with Netscape_s Netcenter, which claims 3.5 million registered small-business users. Earlier this year, Yahoo and Lycos announced plans to launch business portals, and last week, Microsoft said it was jumping into the fray. Microsoft is rolling out bCentral and eventually plans to offer Microsoft_s Office software applications, as well as Internet access, Web hosting and other services through the site.