EXCLUSIVE: 2Clix appoints an administrator

Stan Beer
Monday, 22 October 2007 07:49

IT Industry - Strategy

Gold Coast based accounting software firm 2Clix, which hit the news recently for lodging a lawsuit against the founder of online telecoms forum Whirlpool, has appointed an administrator and staff are clearing out their desks according to the general manager of the company.

After receiving a barrage of criticism on Whirlpool in posts from disaffected users, 2Clix, also known as Platinum One business solutions, lodged a $150,000 lawsuit against Simon Wright, founder of Whirlpool, in September. The lawsuit was subsequently withdrawn after an outcry from many quarters including online watchdog Electronic Frontiers Australia.

According to the latest news from some users, Solvency and Forensic accounting firm Worrells is likely to be appointed administrator with documents currently being prepared. In a call to Worrells iTWire was told that, although the appointment of an administrator has not yet been confirmed, if or when it is, Mr Jason Bettles would be the administrator. It has since been confirmed by former 2Clix general manager David Morgan that an administrator has been appointed and it is Mr Bettles.

Mr Morgan told iTWire that he is no longer employed by 2Clix and is in the process of cleaning out his desk like all of the company's other employees.

iTwire has been told by sources close to the company that 8 employees retrenched six weeks ago have still not received their redundancy, including one employee who is owed more than $17,000.

A major concern of users is that if an administrator is appointed, that they will be targeted by the administrator to collect unpaid fees. An even bigger concern, however, is what will happen to their data if they refuse to pay their regular maintenance fee.

In the past users, have found their data time bombed locking them out if they didnt pay up on time. The legality of preventing users from accessing their own data has been questioned by a number of 2Clix users.

According to Mr John White, executive officer of 2Clix customer Uni-Flooring Resources, he is leading an action group of between 40 and 50 2Clix clients which had claims against the company.

Öur concerns are not only in relation to the product, this has proven that our concerns regarding the whole infrastructure of the company is at best worrisome," said Mr White.

"We're aware that both ASIC and the ACCC have received numerous complaints from numerous 2Clix customers."

Meanwhile, sources claim that 2Clix founder Dene Mills is not in Australia at present. When asked about this, former 2Clix general manager Mr Morgan said: “I couldn't say where he is - I'm not his keeper."