IBM has launched the WebSphere Commerce Suite, Marketplace Edition, to enable businesses to create online marketplaces that interact with handheld devices such mobile phones, personal digital assistants and pagers.
The software includes functions and tools including various dynamic trading models, such as exchange, RFP/RFQ and auctions.
The solution also provides aggregated catalogue, secure membership registration and access control management, as well as business intelligence and reporting functions. Combined with Lotus Sametime, buyers and sellers can communicate and receive online customer assistance to exchange goods and services. The WebSphere Commerce Suite is part of IBM`s WebSphere Software e-business platform.
"The software provides a fully integrated e- commerce solution for integrating buyers and sellers in an electronic marketplace," explains Ilse Cilliers, IBM SA software executive. "In addition, the software will securely communicate with wireless devices through the support of WAP and SMS."
The GartnerGroup estimates that over 400 trading markets have been launched to date, and the number will rise to 10 000 by 2002. Over 3 million sellers are expected to participate in e-marketplaces by that time, with an estimated $438 billion in business-to-business transactions taking place.
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