A FLEDGLING computer firm launched less than a year ago has struck a major deal with one of the country's biggest retailers.
InterNeXus Communications is about to launch the country's first off-the-shelf Internet access package which aims to get computer users surfing the Net in seconds.
And the company's product so impressed bosses at the giant Tandy chain that it is to go on sale in hundreds of its shops nationwide.
Although the Internet can help users get information on anything within seconds, actually getting on to it can be a lengthy process.
Most of the major players in the Internet access market usually operate by advertising their products in newspapers and computer magazines.
Potential customers reply through a coupon and they then get sent information. Then they have to order and wait for the software and registration details to arrive.
"With our product people can walk into their Tandy store on a Saturday morning and be surfing the Internet in the afternoon," said Kevin Walmsley, marketing manager of InterNeXus.
The firm was launched last August as an Internet access provider and based at the Blackburn Technology Management Centre.
And with a price tag of £79.95 for a year's access, bosses believe their new product works out at about half the price of conventional Internet access packages currently on the market.
The launch of the package this week is the culmination of months of development work. As well as writing the software, InterNeXus has also had to design the packaging and carry out test marketing.
Kite Computing, also based in the BTMC, is providing staff training for Tandy employees and a telephone helpline for customers.
An initial run of 5,000 packs has been produced and even on conservative estimates InterNexus believes demand will be high.
"It is difficult to predict but we are confident this will be extremely popular," said Mr Walmsley.
"It is major coup for a small company in Blackburn to get this deal with Tandy and we are now negotiating with other outlets."
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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