Magenta (MIS) customers have been left feeling angry and let down by requests for money to maintain the system in the wake of the companys closure.
Surprised customers received a letter on 26 June from Worcestershire firm, NoBug Network Solutions, informing them that Magenta had ceased trading. The letter stated that Candy-Kirk Systems had taken ownership of the source code for the system, which provides print estimating data, and that a new firm, NoBug Network Solutions set up on 16 June would be taking over technical support.
Former Magenta managing director Robin Carter, who is also managing director of Candy-Kirk and a director of NoBug Network Solutions, wrote to customers again on 3 July.
In his position as managing director of Candy-Kirk, he argued that the company had taken ownership of the code because it was owed a considerable amount of unpaid commission from Magenta. Carter urged customers to band together to stump up 100,000 plus VAT to buy the rights of the system from Candy-Kirk.
This suggestion has been greeted with disbelief by many Magenta customers which include local councils and universities.
Peter Vernon, general manager of A1 Paper Stationery in Birmingham, hit out at the idea. We have just seen 25,000 and 12 months development go down the drain. I cant see anybody throwing any more money at it, he said.
Other customers told PrintWeek that they have concerns about who actually owns the source code. Some are taking legal advice.
PrintWeek contacted Carter, who reacted angrily. He admitted that Magenta did not have enough income to carry on trading, but refused to reveal any more details.
Those customers you have spoken to have just shot themselves in the foot they have made a big, big mistake in talking to the press, said Carter.
All offers of technical support would now be withdrawn, he added.
However, customers say Carter is still trying to thrash out some sort of deal where members of a user group would pay him to maintain the system.
Other question marks hanging over the Magenta situation include the trad-ing status of Candy-Kirk and Magenta. Company searches have revealed that Candy-Kirk was dissolved on 15 February, but Magenta is still listed as a limited company.