TWO companies connected with the defunct 2Clix accounting software company are beginning to implode as squabbles for cash and a looming Australian Securities and Investments Commission investigation threaten to tear them apart.
Earlier this year, customers of the 2Clix software package complained of being locked out from crucial accounting data unless ongoing maintenance fees were paid. 2Clix is a financial and tax reporting software package approved by the tax office.
As bad publicity and debts mounted around 2Clix Australia in late 2007, the company was placed in voluntary liquidation by its director, Christopher Dene Mills.
Shortly before its liquidation, however, 2Clix Australia's existing customers received a letter from a company called Platinum One Business Solutions stating the 2Clix software had been "sold to an overseas company".
According to papers filed with ASIC, Platinum One Business Solutions was set up in March 2007 by former 2Clix Australia director Mr Mills. Soon after its creation, Platinum One Business Solutions began issuing invoices to former 2Clix customers for ongoing maintenance fees. In some instances, invoices were issued to customers who had ceased using the software.
It has now emerged that Platinum One Business Solutions has lodged a statement of negative insolvency with ASIC, a practice undertaken when the directors of a company no longer believe the company can pay its debts when they fall due.
As Platinum One Business Solutions winds down, a third entity, ERP Software Pty Ltd, has emerged as the latest flag-bearer for the embattled 2Clix software.
ERP Software was incorporated on June 23 by David Morgan, a former employee of the defunct 2Clix Australia and general manager of Platinum One Business Solutions.
Since incorporation, ERP Software has been issuing invoices to former 2Clix customers requesting maintenance fees for ongoing licensing of the product.
According to Mr Morgan, he and Mr Mills discussed an agreement that would allow ERP Software to acquire the operating rights for the 2Clix software, but the deal did not go ahead.
Still, customers began receiving 2Clix maintenance invoices issued on ERP Software letterhead.
The matter has attracted the attention of ASIC.
According to correspondence obtained by The Australian, Mr Morgan received a letter from ASIC on July 25 pointing to irregularities in ERP Software's business. The letter advised ERP Software it might be dealing with property owned by a company currently in liquidation, namely 2Clix Australia Pty Ltd.
Mr Morgan claimed he was unaware ERP Software was sending maintenance invoices to former 2Clix customers, and followed ASIC's instructions to stop the practice.
