Netcall Plc managed to shine on London’s Alternative Investment Market yesterday, despite announcing full year results reflecting a difficult transition between business models. Its share price closed at an all time high of 128 pence, up 35.5% on the day, as the firm announced a loss for the year to June 30 of 1.79m pounds ($2.93m) compared to a loss of 911,243 pounds ($1.49m) last time. Revenue fell to 539,568 pounds ($885,161) from 780,007 pounds ($1.3m) last year.
But the market was reacting to the fact that its internet-controlled telephony business appeared to be taking off, with revenue from this area up from 3,000 pounds ($5,000) a year ago to 106,241 pounds ($174,288). Overall revenues were down due to the gradual disposal of its software maintenance business, which took in almost 356,451 pounds ($584,757) last year, but only 74,691 pounds ($122,530) this year.
Netcall’s plans to make the internet controlled telephony its core business. This service allows companies to place call-me buttons on their web sites, or vendors advertising in any media to set up follow-me messaging accounts. Under the latter model, potential buyers call the advertised number, then key in a code also given out in the ad. The system can then notify the correct salesman of the lead. Payment is made either as a monthly service, with set-up fee, or on a per-lead basis. Resellers such as newspapers can take cuts of the lead revenue.
