A new company spun off from the once-touted Viata Software Inc. is not taking on the company debts, a spokes-woman said. Viata spinoff debt-free
By Tim Ruel
truel@starbulletin.comFour-year-old Viata recently closed its 1100 Alakea St. offices, and told potential creditors it has run out of funds and can't make payments. Waialae Iki residents John and Heidi Vavul, who licensed travel-booking software to Viata, are creating a new company, EzRez Software Inc., to market the software. Heidi Vavul is a former director of project development for Viata.
"It's a new company. There's no debt; clean balance sheet," said EzRez spokeswoman Laura Davis, who is a former Viata employee. Eight to 10 former employees of Viata are negotiating to join EzRez, said Davis, who is a consultant to EzRez.
Viata customers, including Outrigger Hotels & Resorts, have received service from EzRez Software since the start of the month, EzRez said in a statement.
Viata has also spun off a separate company that is running Viata's former vacation rental Web site vacationhosts.com.
An estimate of Viata's total debts was not available.
Separating Viata into two companies will allow each to focus on individual product development and customer service activities, EzRez said.
Viata had 20 employees. Former Aston executive J.W. Ellsworth joined in 2000 as president, and the Vavuls started licensing their software to Viata in April 2001, Davis said.
Viata raised several million in capital from businesspeople including public relations executive Kitty Lagareta and John Dean, chairman of Silicon Valley Bank.
Ellsworth stepped down in May, and Viata has vacated its 6,000-square-foot floor at 1100 Alakea. EzRez is looking for a new office, Davis said.