Ozbuy.com revamps
Controversial e-tailer Ozbuy.com unleashed a revamped version of its online shopping site last week in an attempt to extend its customer base into mainstream shopping.
According to Ozbuy.com's MD, Michael Glezerson, the new site sets out to meld the traditional shopping experience of walking into a store with the online experience. It is a trait he feels will make or break online stores. "For e-trade to succeed, it needs to mix old-world customers and new-world technology," he said.
Glezerson is not fazed by recent attacks from large traditional resellers accusing online stores of being all hype and no business strategy. "It is only a matter of time before they start beefing up their online sites," he said.
Minolta-QMS signs with Office National
Minolta-QMS will consolidate its regional presence throughout Australia, signing an agreement with Office National to supply its complete range of colour printing products including printers and consumables.
Office National is the largest independent retailer of office and business products and computers with over 130 locations throughout Australia. Its strength in non-metroplolitan regions of Australia was of great interest to QMS-Minolta.
The new partnership will involve around 70 Minolta-QMS resellers, according to Greg Newham, managing director of Minolta-QMS Australia.
Trend Micro, NAI settle dispute
Antivirus software vendors Trend Micro and Network Associates (NAI), two makers of antivirus software, have settled technology patent lawsuits pending against each other and will cross-license their patent portfolios, the companies said last week in a statement.
The companies said they hope the settlement, finalised last week, marks an end to the legal duelling over use of patented antivirus technology that has marked relations among antivirus companies in recent years.
"We think the result of this settlement signifies a new era of cooperation among antivirus companies," Mike Conner, president of Trend Micro North American operations, said. "We're happy to put the lawsuit behind us and concentrate on our customers."As part of the settlement, NAI will pay Trend Micro $US12.5 million, according to documents filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.
Trend Micro sued NAI in May 1997, alleging infringement of its patents for antivirus software covering Internet data transfers and e-mail. NAI sued Trend Micro in April, claiming infringement of patents for embedding antivirus technology into Internet and network applications.