The business rule module enables users to validate the format and content of all document exchanges with trading partners. Now the company is expanding its reach to energy, transportation and logistics. EC Outlook hopes to change that equation by making it easier for a company to unite its suppliers with a common standard. Competition for EC Outlook comes from message-delivery suppliers, such as Peregrine, EAI suppliers, some supply chain application vendors, and companies trying to tap into trading partner networks using EDI technology. All of EC Outlook's customers to date have implemented the software as a managed service.
Pricing varies based on the applications used and the number of trading partners a company has.
Partnerships will be more important to EC Outlook going forward. The product emphasizes integration and component-based development and workflow options. OptimalView comes bundles with Portal Application Server and exploit's Compuware's heritage in software integration. But customers want to use portals to get access to existing applications as well. By including more access to applications, you can focus more on business process and execution.