Schenecker also had to create his own catalogs using a proprietary database engine. He chose a product from Northern Lights, but it doesn't support e-commerce, so he'd like to find a product that does. So far, his proprietary solution has worked well. Schenecker understands the value of outsourcing and is partnering with General Electric Information Services and Telstra for EDI, as well as WebMethods, Commerce Quest, and EC Net. Now he wants to work with an infrastructure partner that will let his developers spend their time focusing on providing solutions that are targeted to his industry.
Services is the operative word.
According to Schenecker, the value of an e-marketplace isn't running transactions and charging a transaction fee. Instead, he says e-marketplaces must deliver added value to the supply chain through services. As a result, Schenecker would prefer to find an e-commerce infrastructure that seamlessly integrates services and solutions, regardless of which vendor they come from. Unfortunately, the vendors are taking a proprietary approach. I want to integrate whatever vendor solutions I choose into the platform.