Direct software vendors are increasingly looking to the channel to provide complete business solutions for end users.

To this end, Sun Microsystems reseller WTL has agreed to supply the hardware for direct vendor Izodia's ecommerce software.

Izodia will port its InTradea collaboration software with the Sun Solaris operating system on hardware supplied by WTL.

Sam Garbett, partner account manager at WTL, said: "This will speed up return on investment. When a software vendor sells its products direct it does not think about hardware until the last minute. We go into the sale together, so the hardware is planned in advance."

The combination of hardware and software will create a Sun-based ecommerce system that will allow collaboration between suppliers, manufacturers and customers using the internet.

Sid Bains, head of manufacturing practice at Izodia, said: "This will offer customers the best of both worlds. Izodia's application and ecommerce consultancy expertise will be combined with WTL's implementation and support skills."