Windsor Circle, a fledgling Durham company that raised $350,000 in seed funding earlier this month, today announced the release of its first product for online retailers.

The six-month-old company has launched what it is calling the "Early Access" version of its eCommerce Intelligence Software, which is designed to help online retailers boost revenue from email marketing campaigns.

Unlike a beta version that may not be fully functional, Windsor's "Early Access" version is a finished product but availability is limited to ensure that the start-up can provide sufficient customer support, said Brad McGinity, vice president of sales and marketing. The company's plan is to limit access until Aug. 31.

Windsor Circle's eCommerce product enables online retailers to integrate customer purchase data with their e-mail marketing efforts, so that they can send out e-mails that match customers' interests. The eCommerce software also creates various customer segments, such as recent buyers, big spenders and wealthy customers.

State tax authorities are offering a compromise to online retailers that don't charge charge the state sales tax to their North Carolina customers.

The N.C. Department of Revenue said this morning it will forgive all back sales taxes and penalties to businesses that sign an agreement by Aug. 31 to start charging customers the sales tax.

"We are going to be asking quite a number of them to participate in the program," said revenue Secretary Kenneth Lay. "We have positive indications that several will sign up."