I was surprised to learn that an industry association considered the purchase of a software company supplying newsagents. Newsagents associations have enough challenges on their plate providing association services such as government and supplier representation to use all their time and resources. They have no role owning and operating commercial services which are well covered by independent companies already. Sure I am conflicted in this discussion – I have owned Tower Systems, the largest software company servicing newsagents, for 25 years. Just because a software company may be struggling and their possible demise might mean newsagents have an orphan computer system, there is no reason to bail them out. Such would be offensive to the newsagents using other systems.
The software companies supplying newsagents are bets left to compete on an even footing and on pure commercial terms. To intervene and proving a struggling and, in my view, technically weak player an insider advantage could see newsagents go for fourth best and ignore the leaders.
While I am glad that the suggestion will not be acted upon, once can never be sure the no is a long term no. That the idea was given any oxygen at all is most disturbing.
Disclosure: I am a member of two newsagent industry associations, owner of newsXpress Forest Hill and owner of Tower Systems – the biggest supplier of software to Australian newsagents.