Top 10: Deals of the Month

INTUIT Intuit will spend $40 million for a 19 percent stake in Excite, the Internet search operator. The two entered a seven year agreement to develop financial news Web sites for consumers. VERIfONE The Tower Group and The Centum Consultancy, a VeriFone enterprise, will launch the Global Smart Card Advisory Service to provide industry intelligence. GEMPLUS IDMATICS announced a partnership with the smart card producer to develop a contactless, chip-based identity card. NETDOX Netdox will use GTE CyberTrust digital certificates for a secure Internet messaging services pilot. AMErican express Amex signed a $25 million deal with Hypercom to supply POS terminals and printers to Amex customers worldwide. FISERV Fiserv bought Interactive Planning Systems Inc., a maker of bank profitability management software. CYBERCASH Cybercash formed an alliance with Coopers & Lybrand Consulting Solutions Thru Technology to allow its clients make Internet payments. Phoenix International Hampton Resources Limited and subsidiary Priority Solutions will merge with Phoenix International. Digital The client/server solution giant entered into a three-year agreement with Bank of Montreal for the purchase of up to 6,000 Digital software user licenses. IDENTIX Bank Central Asia ordered several hundred Fingerscan security/verification devices from the biometric company.