The solution, Blackburn maintains, is enableNet, a hub for communicating in the Internet world. Whether it's a tin can or a wireless device, there is a need for a hub to perform the basics, like security, guaranteed delivery of product information and translation services. With the Internet's ability to deliver all kinds of information, from transactional data to engineering documents, such an interface is critical, says Blackburn. So what we've built is a centralized hub where, regardless of what type of information, connection device, application, data source or network, we can manage the movement, transformation and delivery and give a real-time status report. The value of such a system for market makers and Global 2000 companies is the ability to focus on their core businesses and objectives without worrying about building and maintaining their Internet infrastructure.
Somebody has to be that hub in the middle to deliver on the promise of e-business.
Emptoris Call it high-tech haggling. That may not be how Emptoris presents itself to the high-end corporate buyers the company is trying to attract to its Internet application, but it makes the point. We allow them to factor all of these things, and then we have a decision-support engine that allows suppliers to bid for their business. Emptoris takes into account multiple business rules and non-price factors to provide the optimal procurement decisions. The Emptoris system, called ePASS, allows the buyer to view suppliers' bids and make an educated decision.