Infobank left in lurch by marketing partners

Electronic commerce firm picks up Software Corporation but is abandoned by Tplc and ICL Sorbus

Tplc and ICL Sorbus have pulled the plug on a marketing agreement with Infobank on the same day as the electronic commerce developer acquired Software Corporation.

Infobank and Tplc struck a marketing agreement 18 months ago whereby Infobank would provide the software to allow Tplc?s customers to place orders electronically.

Neil Easdon, Tplc general manager, said: ?The termination was a combination of two things. We wanted to consolidate the management of our software businesses into a single unit and develop our own electronic commerce system.?

He refused to comment on who would run the restructured software unit or whether ICL?s software management would be moved across to Tplc.

The action came as a blow to Infobank, which refused to admit there was a problem. Infobank MD Joseph Pillai claimed the relationship was still ongoing.

The breakdown of the joint agreement was a disappointment to manufacturers which had hailed it as an example of good partnering. A Microsoft representative said: ?We thought it was a great piece of matching. It would be a shame if it came to an end.?

Infobank paid #8.25 million for York-based reseller Software Corporation, which will be paid #6 million in cash and the rest in shares, following shareholder approval in June. It will retain its name and operate as a wholly owned subsidiary.

Graham Sadd, Infobank technical director, said: ?We wanted Software Corporation because it has a very loyal customer base and gives us access to the small and medium business market.?