World Commerce
Online and Eliance
Corp.
said they entered a strategic relationship to enable flower growers and
wholesalers around the world to buy and sell fresh cut flowers online via
World’s FloraPlex system.
FloraPlex links growers, floral suppliers, wholesalers and floral retailers in
an e-commerce network for the floral industry. The new agreement will
integrate Eliance’s comprehensive e-commerce payment solution with the
FloraPlex Tradelink system.
“We are proud to offer an e-commerce solution that transforms traditional
economic models into completely new models driven by Internet technology,”
said David Erickson, president and CEO of Eliance. “The system designed by
FloraPlex is a prime example of how our digital economy is emerging and
impacting an entire industry. The speed, simplicity, security and service
provided through our e-commerce solution will revolutionize the future of the
floral industry.”
Traditionally growers had to issue terms of 30-45 days for payment. Using the
FloraPlex Tradelink system, growers will be paid in seven days while allowing
the wholesaler to still enjoy 30-day terms, the companies said. The system
also will allow wholesalers to receive payments in seven days while extending
terms to retailers. The system will allow retailers to rent online
storefronts, selling flowers to consumers by credit card or online check.
The agreement with Eliance Corp. will provide the entire e-commerce back
office, freeing Tradelink’s creators to promote the service, bringing new
wholesalers and growers online and expanding the business-to-business e-
commerce model for the floral industry, executives said.
The e-commerce solution provided by Eliance includes 24/7 voice and data
customer service, payment processing, transaction security, risk management,
merchant account establishment, settlement and collections, and online
reporting and business management tools. Financial arrangements were not
disclosed.
“This agreement with Eliance Corp. was a critical link in the reality of
worldwide e-commerce in the floral industry,” said Bob Shaw, chairman and CEO
of World Commerce Online. “Existing barriers to trading have come down.”
Eliance, founded in Minot, N.D., in 1994, says it provides e-commerce back-
office solutions to more than 10,000 businesses worldwide.
World Commerce Online was founded in 1996 to create global commercial networks
and trading systems. FloraPlex is the first of those systems. The company also
develops virtual private networks for companies, municipalities, institutions
and associations. World Commerce Online intends to announce other E-Plex
projects in the near future. E-nnovations is WCO’s new interactive marketing
technology that facilitates the use of immersive imaging to make three-
dimensional interactive e-commerce systems.
