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Companies Collaborate to Launch Industry-Focused E-Commerce Pavilion

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Microsoft Corp., VerticalNet, Inc., and Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. have announced a collaborative effort to launch a unique e-commerce pavilion on the Microsoft .NET Platform. The pavilion aims to serve the global gases and chemicals industry by providing a centralized platform for Air Products' sales network, including distributors, to streamline sales and marketing efforts, generate sales leads, and enable online transactions. This partnership leverages the strengths of each company, combining Microsoft's technology leadership with VerticalNet's e-commerce expertise and Air Products' industry knowledge.

Key Takeaways:

  • The e-commerce pavilion will provide Air Products' sales network with a major presence across 32 of VerticalNet's 57 industry-specific communities.
  • The pavilion will centralize access to Air Products' information and direct customers to local distributors.
  • The platform will include informational storefronts or e-commerce centers with product catalogs and transactional capabilities for Air Products' distributor network.
  • The partnership will enable a comprehensive e-commerce strategy that is low-risk, effective, adaptable, and quickly deployable.
  • This collaboration marks the first implementation of VerticalNet's e-commerce program in the gases and chemicals industry.
  • The Microsoft .NET Platform will serve as the technological foundation for the e-commerce pavilion, utilizing Microsoft Windows 2000 Server, Microsoft SQL Server, and Microsoft Site Server Commerce Edition.

Statistics:

  • The e-commerce pavilion will serve a global market across 57 industry-specific communities.
  • The platform will have 32 major presences across VerticalNet's industry-specific communities.
  • The partnership involves three companies: Microsoft Corp., VerticalNet, Inc., and Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
  • The Microsoft .NET Platform is used as the technological foundation for the e-commerce pavilion.
  • Microsoft bCentral, a web-based small-business portal, will be linked to the pavilion offering access to large B2B marketplaces.

Sources:

  • Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT)
  • VerticalNet, Inc. (Nasdaq: VERT)
  • Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE: APD)
  • Microsoft Press Release (July 27, [Year])
  • VerticalNet Website (www.verticalnet.com)
  • Microsoft bCentral Website (www.bcentral.com)
  • Microsoft .NET Platform Overview
  • Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. Company Overview

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