Netscape to cut links with Sphinx

A lack of intranet commitment may lead Netscape to sever ties with Sphinx

Netscape plans to ditch Sphinx CST within the next two weeks, claiming the firm has failed to commit itself to its corporate intranet drive. The distributor countered that Netscape has no coherent strategy for distributors to make money. Sphinx CST vice chairman Terry MacDonald said: ?There was a telephone conversation which led us to believe they?ve dropped us, but the rumour hasn?t yet been substantiated.? He complained that Netscape was cutting opportunities for distributors to make profits. ?Netscape signs so many OEM agreements, it is arguable whether there?s actually anything left for distribution.? He cited SCO and Esker as two companies signed by Netscape which Sphinx already had in its product range. Netscape sources were unavailable for comment at press time, but a source at Azlan, which also has a distribution deal with Netscape, said there had been rumours of an end to Sphinx?s distribution deal. The rumour has surfaced as Netscape is moving away from its browser-based business and into the groupware/intranet market. The firm is targeting corporate resellers, database and workflow specialists and systems integrators. But MacDonald admitted to having some concerns about selling the Internet as a business tool. ?The Web is still static. There are lots of people saying ?it still can?t improve our business processes?. ?We have had a team of over 60 resellers selling Netscape, but most of them are finding their customers don?t see the business potential.? Sphinx was merged with sister company CST just before Christmas (PC Dealer, 18 December 1996).