Electronic commerce software provider iCat Corp. entered into a strategic alliance with FedEx under which the shipping firm will offer transportation of e-commerce goods for iCat-enabled Web merchants.
Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Service is slated to
begin this summer.
The iCat Commerce Online solution is aimed at small and medium-sized businesses looking to establish “virtual” storefronts. Users can create full-scale Web stores containing up to 10 products, for no cost, during a store’s lifetime. Online retailers wishing to market more than 10 items can develop larger stores for a monthly hosting charge.
Under the agreement with FedEx, iCat store owners will be able to ship their products via FedEx and take advantage of real-time order processing, fulfillment, and tracking functions. With the FedEx enhancements, “iCatailers” will also be able to download shipping and tracking status information.
“Our agreement with iCat offers the potential benefits of electronic
commerce to small and medium-sized businesses who want to market, sell and
facilitate delivery of goods via the Web, but who until now have not had the
resources or expertise to do so,” said Laurie Tucker, FedEx senior vice
president of Logistics and Electronic Commerce.
“Our agreement with FedEx not only provides millions of businesses with an
easy entry point into e-commerce, but also gives them a huge advantage by
enabling them to offer superior service to their customers, with
top-of-the-line delivery services,” said Craig Danuloff, iCat president and
CEO.