ZKey Lands Deals With Firms to Use Online Storage

Los Angeles start-up ZKey.com will announce Thursday partnerships with several companies that have agreed to use its Internet-based information storage technology. Under terms of the deals, Corel will incorporate ZKey technology in its Corel Central software, and Casio will use the technology in its hand-held Casiopia electronic organizer.

ZKey is also announcing partnerships with Hollywood Stock Exchange, 3M Post-It Products, JFax and Mobile Computing magazine. Corel Chairman and Chief Executive Michael Cowpland is on ZKey’s board of advisors.

ZKey co-founder Dr. Jay Udani couldn’t put a monetary value on the deals.

ZKey allows users to automatically exchange and update address books, files, billing and shipping data, and other information only with hand-picked recipients. Because the information is on the Internet, it can be accessed from anywhere.

Founded by two physicians and their technology-whiz friend, ZKey has received $19 million in venture funding from six firms, including Los Angeles-based Zone Ventures, Bear Ventures of New York and France Telecom.