Advantia Business Solutions has taken a stake in software developer Comgem in a bid to provide their members with the services they need to trade profitably, now and in the future.

Comgem develops complex software solutions across multiple industries including the office products industry.  Comgem and Advantia have been developing a new centrally managed e-commerce marketplace platform exclusively for Advantia members which will save the Advantia members time and ensure that their sites are always kept up to date.

Advantia Chairman, Bob Geens said, “strategically the biggest threats to the survival of dealers is failing to adapt to customers’ ever changing buying behaviour and failing to use IT to become more efficient and take cost out of their business.  This is why Advantia is not only investing in developing our e-commerce marketplace platform, but also investing in Comgem as a long-term strategic IT partner.

"We will be enhancing our own data in partnership with Comgem and expanding the portfolio of products and services that dealers have access to so they can target new markets outside of traditional office products.  We recognise the fantastic IT development skills that Comgem has and we will be bringing our commercial experience to their Board and look forward to working with their first-class management team.”

Advantia’s new e-commerce marketplace platform has been developed by Comgem and is currently being tested by several of their members ahead of a full rollout.  Dealers’ end users will benefit from a best-in-class buying interface with lots of functionality.  Members will also enjoy extensive customisation and improved content data.