Fob.com Forms Strategic Alliances with Microsoft, Exodus, and Compaq

Strategic Insights -

Fob.com, a pioneer in streamlining procurement of manufacturing materials, has formed strategic technical alliances with Microsoft, Exodus Communications, and Compaq. This collaboration enables fob.com to develop advanced features in its Web-enabled business-to-business e-commerce solutions, positioning the company as a leader in select vertical industries. The alliances with these technology leaders have allowed fob.com to create innovative solutions such as Centralized Aggregate Purchasing System (CAPS+), an essential component of its aggregate buying solution. These partnerships will enable fob.com to move quickly, giving the company a first-mover position in the business-to-business space.

Key Takeaways:

  • Fob.com has formed technical alliances with Microsoft, Exodus Communications, and Compaq to develop advanced features in its Web-enabled business-to-business e-commerce solutions.
  • The company has created Centralized Aggregate Purchasing System (CAPS+), a unique Internet database application for the easy collection, collation, and storage of diverse purchasing information from a large customer population.
  • CAPS+ was created utilizing Microsoft's Site Server 3.0 Commerce Edition as its enabling technology and is a key component of fob.com's aggregate buying solution.
  • Fob.com's software tool is designed to be compatible with Microsoft's e-commerce and intranet software, allowing companies to link their Web purchases with their own intranet tracking system.
  • Exodus Communications helped analyze fob.com's functional needs and identified solutions to execute the company's vision, integrating different technologies to configure a user-friendly solution on a common platform.
  • Compaq servers were chosen to host fob.com's Internet site and extensive databases due to their high availability and scalability requirements.
  • Fob.com's business model reflects Microsoft's e-commerce vision by creating a solution that lowers transaction costs, improves responsiveness, reduces inventories, and opens business-to-business communication and e-commerce to companies of any size.
  • Partnering with fob.com will enable Compaq to help mid-sized and small companies reduce the cost of their manufacturing procurement function while ensuring 24x7 on-demand processing.
  • The company forms, capitalizes, and incubates vertical purchasing hub companies that enable the business-to-business e-procurement of manufacturing materials.

Statistics:

  • Fob.com's CAPS+ application is a key component of its aggregate buying solution.
  • Exodus Communications integrated different technologies to configure a user-friendly solution on a common platform for fob.com.
  • Compaq servers were chosen for their high availability and scalability, hosting fob.com's Internet site and extensive databases.

Sources:

  • "Fob.com Forms Technical Alliances with Microsoft, Exodus Communications and Compaq to Enhance Business-to-Business E-commerce Solutions." Business Wire, 13 Oct. 1999.
  • Exodus Communications and Exodus are trademarks for Exodus Communications, Inc., and may be registered in certain jurisdictions.
  • All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.