Website hits delay after software snag

Internet Compatibility blip causes retailer to put online shop on hold.

Lotus' first UK electronic software distribution pilot with Softwareld. Warehouse has been unable to sell any products from its site because of problems with the system.

Due to go live on 8 November, the site was the first step in Lotus' long-term, e-commerce strategy. Next year, the vendor plans to roll out full electronic software distribution according to guidelines published by the Software Publishers' Association (SPA) using distributors and a clearing house.

Steve Bennett, chairman of Software Warehouse, admitted: 'We have got three separate parties providing the software which runs the operation. We've got encryption software, credit card clearing software and account reporting software.

There's always a period of settling in when you implement new systems together.'

Julian Bennett, Software Warehouse e-commerce manager, said he believed the problem with encryption would be sorted out imminently, but did not believe there was a security risk.

He said the reseller had intended to start selling for the first time on 21 November, but had experienced problems with the system software which had delayed the process. The problem stemmed from compatibility problems with the three software packages.

He said: 'We are a few weeks behind where we would like to be.'

The reseller has decided to proceed with its e-commerce operation without a clearing house - a trusted third-party organisation which audits financial transactions, despite recommendations from the SPA to use one. Steve Bennett said: 'We've been in discussion with clearing houses, but do not believe they are ready for the task yet.'

Lotus is just one of many vendors whose products are due to be available from the Software Warehouse shop site, including Borland, Symantec and Quarterdeck. Products offered include Lotus Organiser and Screen Cam.

Kate Tarry, Lotus EMEA electronic distribution marketing manager, said longer downloads would be impossible due to bandwidth limitations.