The Softline group has moved quickly to leverage new business opportunities off its recently launched PlanetPastel.com Internet transaction based business-to-business and business-to-consumer portal by entering into a licensing agreement with World Online.
PlanetPastel.com will provide World Online with its next generation technology, enabling World Online tenants to conduct true electronic commerce.
PlanetPastel.com will customise its electronic storefront application and create an on-line shopping mall for World Online. This will provide World Online tenants with a fully integrated e-commerce solution, offering them the ability to conduct business-to-consumer and business-to-business e-commerce.
"This agreement is clear evidence of the world class technology that has been developed by Softline" says Softline director and the Pastel Group's chief executive officer, Ivan Ferrer. "This will in turn open further opportunities for PlanetPastel.com to provide portals around the world with an e-commerce solution."
"It also endorses our group's focus and investment in R&D, high ownership of technology, as well as our ability to recognise and embrace the Internet as it revolutionises the way business is conducted."
"Furthermore, this demonstrates the effective utilisation of our group's extensive R&D skills base that has developed our software applications. Pastel Software, working together with Softline group companies, Opensoft and Absolute Solutions (Absol), developed the PlanetPastel.com portal. Opensoft and Pastel will now create an e-storefront solution for World Online and brand it according to their specific requirements."
World Online (http://www.worldonline.co.za) provides both its business and individual customers with Internet access and a full spectrum of information, entertainment and commercial content including a business portal offering global content.
"The agreement has given World Online access to a competitive and cost-effective e-commerce infrastructure," says Graeme Victor, managing director of World Online. "Having a fully integrated e-commerce offering available on World Online will be extremely attractive to our existing and potential tenants."
"When the development is complete, shopping mall tenants of World Online will be given a second store at PlanetPastel.com and vice versa, enabling them to have joint listings on both sites while maintaining only one store", comments Mike Bryer, operations director of the Pastel Group.
"Tenants will also be able to link an existing web presence directly into the on-line store, which will be allocated a unique URL address" continues Bryer. "Added to this, World Online tenants will have access to Pastel's accounting software applications which will act as a stimulant to increase sales of the software. "
"Because we own our technology and have extensive R&D skills and expertise, we are well positioned to provide such customised e-commerce technology for other potential partners in the future" sums up Ivan Ferrer. "This position further enhances our objective to play a central role in the fast developing field of e-commerce in South Africa."
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