Independent Online, the e-commerce division of Independent Newspapers & Media, has entered into a joint venture with Bizznet, the SME focused Internet portal launched by OneLogix group subsidiary Postnet, to become SA`s leading online SME directory and services listing.
The move follows IOL`s successful launch of a real world business directory, Independent Directory, to 410 000 Western Cape homes. The joint venture will be housed in a separate company trading as Bizznet, in which the shareholding will be held equally by IOL and Onelogix.
In terms of the joint venture, IOL will host the Bizznet site on the IOL portal to promote its online products and services to SMEs. IOL will also contribute its full range of marketing and sales skills and its expertise in banner advertising to enhance the site.
Bizznet will benefit by leveraging the over 4 million page impressions attracted by the IOL site per month, which will in turn increase the take up of free basic web pages and e-mail addresses offered by Bizznet. Bizznet will also generate an additional income stream from web page enhancement fees, e-commerce enablement services and ultimately online transaction-based fees.
IOL is Independent News and Media`s Internet portal capturing the 14 newspaper titles which represent over 50% of the newspaper market in South Africa. Through these titles IOL has access to content generated by 800 journalists, more than 18 000 classified advertisements per day, SA`s largest newspaper subscriber base and major distribution and marketing channels.
Howard Plaatjes, managing director of Independent Online, says that: "Bizznet, together with Postnet`s nationwide retail network and client base, will enable us to extend our existing business directory service into other business centres, and then onto the web. OneLogix Internet and fulfillment capability will further develop the online directory to ensure that the Bizznet site becomes an indispensable business tool for the SME market. "
"The joint venture has moved SMEs from the sidelines into business mainstream," says Peter Forshaw, executive director of OneLogix responsible for this project. "The Bizznet site will provide SMEs with easy entry onto the Internet, an accessible communication strategy via a free e-mail address and a high traffic site. Together with IOL, we`ve cut the costs of both attracting eyeballs and e-enablement. SMEs now merely have to take up this e-trading opportunity and get on the net.
"We believe that SMEs have to think globally, but operate locally, in order to compete effectively. The Bizznet regional licensee network will ensure that local SME communications are developed within the Bizznet site. This structure is one-of-a-kind in SA at the moment," he adds.
Tony Wiese, CEO of OneLogix , says that IOL and OneLogix have already adopted a partnership approach to enhancing the Bizznet SME portal. "We also intend to further extend that partnership approach to select corporates who focus on targeting the SME market. The joint venture comes after our recent IQLogix joint venture with the IQ Business group, and is another step towards Onelogix delivering total e-commerce solutions to this SME sector."
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