Citigroup and Commerce One to build Internet B2B financial marketplace
Citigroup’s e-Citi unit, a provider of electronic financial services and e-commerce, and Commerce One have disclosed plans to launch a business-to-business (B2B) portal providing e-commerce services to Citigroup’s worldwide corporate customers.
The alliance will create a virtual marketplace linking corporate buyers and suppliers to the new Citibank Procurement Connection portal. This portal will process procurement transactions and host vendor catalogs, as well as market specific applications addressing the needs of particular industries.
In addition, Citigroup will become the primary financial service provider on the Commerce One MarketSite Global Trading Portal, enabling all buying organizations trading on MarketSite to use Citibank’s broad array of financial services. These services will also be made available through the Commerce One Global Trading Web.
Chemdex and Commerce One team to provide B2B solutions
Chemdex and Commerce One have partnered to provide seamless integration between Chemdex marketplaces and Commerce One solutions. Integrated business-to-business (B2B) solutions increase efficiency by providing enterprise customers with access to online marketplaces and a full range of purchasing functions, including requisitioning, approval, order tracking and receiving–all from a single desktop.
This partnership adds to the Chemdex MarketLink Program, which allows Chemdex to work with industry partners to deliver easy, transparent access from Chemdex marketplaces to customers’ existing procurement and enterprise resource planning (ERP) applications. Chemdex MarketLink technology links with a variety of applications and formats through Extensible Markup Language (XML) and Electronic Data Interchange (EDI).
Baan enhances E-Configuration tool
Baan has enhanced Baan E-Configuration version 2.2, the latest evolution of its advanced product and service configuration solution and a key component of Baan’s E-CRM strategy.
Through provision of optimized selling environments on the Web for complex products, services, pricing models and channels, Baan E-Configuration empowers companies to develop loyal supplier and customer relationships in a business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce environment. Baan E-Configuration ensures that customers and suppliers select, configure, and price complete and correct products and services while minimizing incorrect orders and protecting customer and supplier relationships
Baan launches front office marketing software suite
Baan has launched BaanMarketing, a comprehensive marketing automation software suite that provides campaign management, marketing business analysis, and campaign execution.
BaanMarketing provides marketing professionals with tools to construct targeted prospect lists based on customer data, purchased data sets, or lists imported from other marketing campaigns and programs. It also includes features such as “branching” call scripts, campaign steps and call wrap-up logic, support for direct mail, and event registration management. Reporting features track operational results and return on investment. This is done through campaign cost accounting, which tracks budget versus actual expenses.
While BaanMarketing includes components for campaign planning and customer interaction, Baan business intelligence tools integrate sales and marketing data.
Lawson rated tops in healthcare financials
Lawson Software ranked first among healthcare financials software vendors in the most recent KLAS Enterprises Healthcare IT (Information Technology) Performance Report.
Lawson placed first in 11 of 18 performance categories, including customer service areas such as meeting customer expectations, overall improvement, proactive services, executive interest, contracting experience, training quality, personal job performance, and repeat purchase confidence. Lawson also ranked number one for its technology commitment, implementation quality, and interface services.
The KLAS study, in conjunction with R.L. Johnson and Associates, is based on information provided by chief information officers and directors at more than 1,000 healthcare facilities. Other financials vendors in the study, by order of their ranking below Lawson’s performance, include Global, Eclipsys, Infinium, PeopleSoft, McKesson/HBOC and GEAC.
Deloitte unveils EIS framework for SAP BI solutions
Deloitte Consulting has introduced an EIS framework for implementing and optimizing SAP Business Information Warehouse (SAP BW) and SAP Strategic Enterprise Management (SAP SEM) solutions. The framework enables clients to identify the information needed to make strategic, tactical, and operational decisions. From here the packages allow you to design, select, and implement an integrated suite of intelligence tools, including e-Business solutions; for example, mySAP.com–the SAP Internet business strategy, delivers personalized solutions and improved decision-making capabilities.
Deloitte Consulting’s EIS framework combines methodologies with proprietary tools like InformationPrint version 2.0. Using InformationPrint, Deloitte Consulting works with a client to define the multiple views of information that decision-makers need to plan and measure the business. The tool facilitates the identification of detailed data requirements and the sourcing of this data from internal applications and external sources including the web.
Fujitsu to acquire ERP vendor Glovia
Fujitsu intends to acquire 100% ownership of GLOVIA International LLC, a provider of business applications, e-commerce solutions, advanced technology, and world-class services for the digital marketplace. Fujistu currently holds a 30.5% interest.
Based on a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding and subject to standard transaction closing conditions, Fujitsu intends to acquire by April 2000 the outstanding 69.5% interest in GLOVIA International now held by U.K.-based MDIS. Fujitsu intends to promote the Web-enabled GLOVIA enterprise resource planning (ERP) package software solution on a global basis in support of its Internet-focused solutions business strategy.
Kewill ERP introduces JobBOSS 5.0
Kewill ERP has introduced JobBOSS 5.0, a new version of its popular job shop management suite. The suite includes major new functionality enhancements and offers users access to its previously announced e-Manufacturing line of products and services.
In addition, Kewill ERP says a hosted version of SupplyBOSS, part of Kewill’s e-Manufacturing e-business products and services, is now available. SupplyBOSS offers users data hosting services through Kewill.com, a supply chain business portal platform that allows JobBOSS users to view and execute business-to-business (B2B) transactions on the Internet.
The new version of JobBOSS includes enhancements in shop load management and provides additional speed and drill down capabilities. The 5.0 release also supports multi-currency activities that directly address the growing international requirements of job shops. The new JobBOSS 5.0 package also features improved workflow and real-time data collection functionality, as well as system upgrades to Microsoft Access 2000 database components.
Kana launches Kana 5
Kana Communications launched Kana 5, an integrated platform that enables e-businesses to manage customer communications across multiple contact channels, including outbound and inbound e-mail, Web-based customer self-service, real-time messaging, and voice over the Internet.
Kana 5 offers significant enhancements to Kana’s platform: improved automation; Internet-ready integration into the enterprise; internationalization; and expanded platform support.
LEGO replaces SAP R/2 with Oracle Applications
LEGO is replacing its SAP R/3 system with a new enterprise system based on Oracle’s Internet-enabled Oracle Applications. The new e-business enterprise suite will enable LEGO to transform into an e-business, allowing administrative tasks in connection with sales, receipt of orders, distribution of goods, and financial follow-up to be simplified and easier to execute.
LEGO expects the new Internet-enabled system to reduce labor-intensive administrative tasks. It will also allow more resources and energy to be dedicated to the company’s new Fitness Programme, an initiative designed to create simple and effective business systems that will allow LEGO to reach its goal of being the strongest toy brand among families with children before 2005. The new Oracle system is currently being implemented and is expected to be rolled out company-wide this year.
SAP makes venture investment in ProSyst
SAP, through its venture fund division, SAP Ventures, has made an equity investment in ProSyst Software, which develops and sells software solutions used in consumer networking services and e-commerce applications.
ProSyst products support platform-independent standards, such as Sun Microsystems’ Java and Jini. It also supports Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), which is a collection of specifications that control the transfer of Internet information to mobile phones, as well as the way this data is displayed on the units. ProSyst’s latest product is the mBedded Server, which coordinates both consumer and business networks and their Internet connections. It can be used to control household devices, such as refrigerators, security systems, PCs, and printers.
Tri Valley Growers sue Oracle for $20 Million
Tri Valley Growers (TVG) said it has filed a lawsuit against Oracle alleging fraud, negligent misrepresentation, malpractice, and breach of contract. TVG said Oracle failed to fulfill its contract and promises to modernize the food company’s production and management systems. TVG is asking for more than $20 million in damages.
The lawsuit follows Oracle’s refusal to accept responsibility for its failed venture into enterprise resource planning (ERP) software by refusing to return to TVG what the company spent on Oracle software programs and related systems that have never worked. TVG retained Oracle in November 1996 to install its ERP software package known as “CPG,” believing it would enable the $800 million (annual sales) food processor and marketer to integrate and computerize its operations from raw product delivery to finished goods distribution. Oracle represented to TVG that it had earlier developed and bundled similar software for other consumer packaged goods companies.