Zefer Sinks
Internet consultancy Zefer appears to be signing off. The company has shut down its headquarters and has reportedly laid off about 300 remaining employees. Zefer officials would not return calls, but the Boston Globe reported that NEC has offered jobs to about 180 employees and was looking to assume Zefers client list. NEC led a $48 million investment in Zefer in March.
Logistical Win
Logistics.com has secured what it says is a multimillion-dollar contract to provide transportation procurement and management technology to PPG Industries, a large manufacturer of coatings, glass, fiberglass and chemicals. Logistics.com will initially handle order management, routing, selection, tendering, tracking and tracing of close to 2,500 truckloads of products per week.
Amazon on Target
Amazon.com has expanded its strategy of teaming with offline retailers, this time announcing plans to open an online store this fall in a partnership with Target. The Target store at Amazon.com will sell apparel, home furnishings, electronics and jewelry. Amazon has previously partnered with Circuit City and Toys “R” Us.