IBM Corp. this week announced its new software
strategy which is designed to help businesses quickly connect to their
customers, suppliers, business partners and e-marketplaces.
IBM also
presented its WebSphere B2B Integrator software which combines IBM’s
integration and transaction software technologies and is based on open XML
technology.
WebSphere B2B Integrator is built on IBM’s WebSphere application server,
its MQSeries messaging software and open XML technology for the exchange of
e-contracts called tpaML. IBM’s open, B2B software strategy will allow
businesses to integrate their own computing systems–linking operations
including supply chain management and logistics–with their trading
partners’ systems. IBM’s middleware forms a platform for IBM’s recent
alliance with i2 and Ariba, which adds procurement and supply chain
management integration.
With this announcement, IBM provides an end-to-end strategy for B2B
e-commerce in all forms, including buy- and sell-side, e-markets (connect
multiple buyers and sellers), and collaborative connectivity for product
design, fulfillment, etc.
Unlike other piece-part vendors, IBM contends that their strategy
incorporates a complete selection of software which supports the two major
components of B2B e-commerce: core B2B processes and the integration of
those processes with those of its trading partners.
IBM plans to add additional functionality to the WebSphere Commerce Suite for
B2B and e-marketplace commerce, such as additional negotiation/dynamic price
discovery models, RFP/RFQ (Request for Purchase/Request for Quotation),
workflow and other features.