Technical Advantage goes to Quarterdeck

Quarterdeck launched a marketing initiative for corporate resellers at Networks 96, called Q Advantage.

The utilities and Internet software company's scheme covers training, technical support, lead generation and seminars as well as co-operative marketing funds.

Quarterdeck hopes to win corporate customers across Europe by recruiting Vars and ensuring its own salesforce works with the indirect channel to win business.

The idea will allow the firm to offer technical solutions to corporates, according to Paul Ellis, enterprise marketing manager at Quarterdeck.

'The corporate market is looking to suppliers such as Quarterdeck to provide more than just software in a box,' he said.

'We are aware that many organisations are looking at the intranet to provide value-added information and communications solutions.'

Ellis claimed that Q Advantage will offer good customer service, attractive pricing and extensive support to the Var channel. 'That combination will be an attractive proposition to corporates,' he said. Quarterdeck will launch Q Advantage in the summer.

Quarterdeck has acquired the remaining shares of Limbex Corporation - the Web search software company in which it previously held a 20 per cent stake.

Limbex, which developed the Web Compass application, will be wholly owned by Quarterdeck if the deal is closed in July as the companies expect.

Quarterdeck will pay $16 million in common stock in exchange for the 80 per cent share in Limbex.

Alexander Jacobson, Limbex president and co-founder, said his company will become part of Quarterdeck's Internet division and that it will make use of Quarterdeck's distribution channel.

Jacobson will head up a Quarterdeck information management business unit following the acquisition. Koen Bouwers runs Quarterdeck's Internet division.