The stock market slowdown of the past week has not deterred Melbourne-based Sausage Software and its Victorian counterpart IXLA from entering into a global marketing deal to target the multibillion-dollar US ecommerce market.
The companies plan to combine Sausage's Business in a Box ecommerce software with IXLA's web authoring software known as IXLA Web Easy. IXLA specialises in digital photo software for use online. The companies also plan to leverage IXLA's US marketing and distribution network to gain entry into "several thousand" American retail outlets.
"This deal enables Business in a Box users to easily incorporate product images into their online catalogue, thereby adding value to their site," said Sausage's chief operations officer, Alan Studley. "IXLA's overseas experience, particularly in the US, will prove invaluable as we look to move Business in a Box into the global ecommerce arena," he said.
IXLA has appointed a product marketing manager in the US to create a business and marketing plan for the product, IXLA CEO Soon Teh said. "By combining Business in a Box with our products . . . we are confident this will be a huge success," said Teh.
Earlier this week, IXLA formed an alliance with Japan-based consumer electronic giant Casio, and the $40 billion satellite broadcasting company ITX. The two Japanese companies purchased 40 per cent of the wholly owned IXLA subsidiary PhotoHighway Japan.
During yesterday's market rout, Sausage Software fell $1.37 to $3.06, while IXLA fell to 90.5 cents -- four time less than its most recent high of $3.80.