Innovative Hosted Solution to Benefit Mid-Sized Companies
NEW YORK, Feb. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- North American medium-sized companies
will now be able to realize the benefits and savings from business-to-business
(B2B) e-purchasing as the result of today's launch by Firmbuy Inc. and
iPlanet(TM) E-Commerce Solutions, a Sun-Netscape Alliance, of a unique hosted
procurement solution based on the iPlanet Strategic Internet Procurement
solution.
Recognizing the significant investment and implementation barriers to
procurement automation for North America's 150,000+ mid-sized companies,
Firmbuy provides a full-service hosted solution without the capital
investment, subscription fees or transaction costs. The company acts as an
aggregator for its clients to obtain competitive pricing while adding
significant infrastructure value to consolidate and control purchasing in
their business processes. Firmbuy manages and maintains standardized
electronic catalogs containing over two million items from more than
7,500 suppliers and manufacturers.
Firmbuy's secure Web-based e-purchasing infrastructure was designed and
developed in conjunction with iPlanet E-Commerce Solutions through a strategic
relationship between the companies. Firmbuy's solution utilizes the highly
scaleable iPlanet software along with Sun Microsystems mission critical
hardware, a combination already successfully deployed in
Fortune 100 companies. The strategic relationship with iPlanet E-Commerce
Solutions has enabled Firmbuy to offer mid-sized firms a proven industrial
strength system built to handle some of the world's largest e-purchasing
requirements.
"This is a service that I needed as the CFO and COO of a mid-sized
company, but it has previously been unavailable," said Sanje Ratnavale,
founder and CEO of Firmbuy Inc. "With our system, mid-sized companies can now
begin implementation immediately, with no financial commitment and only
browser access. Roll-out can proceed at their speed, with bottom-line
benefits realized in a matter of months."
"Firmbuy is coming to the business-to-business market with the right
service at exactly the right time," said Steve Savignano, senior vice
president and general manager iPlanet's e-commerce applications division.
"For the first time, this extremely powerful procurement technology is meeting
the needs of an important segment of the e-purchasing market which, to date,
has been unable to afford it. iPlanet E-Commerce Solutions is excited by the
tremendous potential our relationship with Firmbuy represents."
Firmbuy Inc. is financed by large venture capital and e-commerce funds in
North America and Europe. The company provides end-to-end e-commerce
purchasing services to clients across North America. Headquartered in
Chicago, Firmbuy has seven offices across North America, including a
technology and customer relations hub in Toronto.
About iPlanet E-Commerce Solutions
iPlanet E-Commerce Solutions, a Sun-Netscape Alliance, was established in
March 1999 by America Online, Inc. and Sun Microsystems, Inc. to provide
easy-to-deploy, comprehensive e-commerce solutions for the Net Economy.
iPlanet E-Commerce Solutions provides the industry's broadest portfolio of
Internet infrastructure and e-commerce applications software and services.
The portfolio includes award-winning applications for Strategic Internet
Procurement, Internet Trading Communities, Internet Bill Presentment and
Payment and Internet Selling within Open Marketplaces. The iPlanet Messaging,
Directory, Web and Application Server software all enjoy #1 market share
positions. For more information, consult the iPlanet E-Commerce Solutions Web
site at http://www.iplanet.com or call 888-786-8111.
NOTE: Sun, Sun Microsystems, the Sun Logo and iPlanet are trademarks or
registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other
countries. Netscape and the Netscape N logo are registered trademarks of
Netscape Communications Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. Other
Netscape logos, product names, and service names are also trademarks of
Netscape Communications Corporation, which may be registered in other
countries.
SOURCE Sun-Netscape Alliance
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CONTACT:
Scott Friedman of Manning, Selvage & Lee,
212-213-7172, for Firmbuy Inc.; or Kristen Hyland of iPlanet
E-Commerce Solutions, 650-937-6053, or kristenh@netscape.com
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