HP backs First Merc deal

British technology company First Mercantile has signed its first major deal, worth ?250,000, to provide an IT system to payment systems specialist DataCash.

First Mercantile has forged a partnership with software provider E.piphany to sell packages linking a business's separate databases

It also has an agreement with Hewlett Packard, which provides computer and operations backup.

First Mercantile's Business Intelligence package plugs into a company's IT system and can combine information from different computers and databases. This allows information to be shared across companies.

The system will be updated daily so that people using payment systems operated by DataCash - a subsidiary of recruitment consultant Auxinet - have access to current information.

Chris Jones, First Mercantile's chief executive, said: 'Auxinet's DataCash is a very exciting start for us. The Business Intelligence service for DataCash will be updated daily for up to 600 merchants using DataCash's payment systems, no matter where they may be in the world.'

Adrian Reynolds,regional managing director of E.piphany for the UK and Ireland, said: 'We are delighted for our product to be used in the way that First Mercantile have developed. It is the first time that such an initiative has taken place outside the United States.'