Internet services company Rare Medium and Microsoft are teaming up to deliver both
B2B and B2C e-commerce solutions based on the RareCSP (Commerce Solutions
Provider) product.
The companies reached an agreement by which they will collaborate on solution
development, training, marketing, sales and implementations for RareCSP.
Financial arrangements were not disclosed.
The agreement designates Rare Medium as a “premier e-commerce services
provider” with whom Microsoft is formalizing a relationship to provide a
scaleable reference architecture for the RareCSP e-commerce solution.
RareCSP is an end-to-end B2B and B2C e-commerce-managed solution that enables
a business to establish its own trading network within eight to 12 weeks to
connect consumers and its distributors, manufacturers and suppliers.
The solution employs the Windows DNA 2000 platform, which was designed for
rapid building and deployment of next-generation e-commerce, line-of-business
and Web solutions that easily integrate customers with partners and existing
applications.
Components of the Windows DNA 2000 platform include Microsoft SQL Server,
Commerce Server, BizTalk Server, Applications Center, Host Integration
Server, Exchange, Internet Security and Acceleration Server and the Visual
Studio development system.
“We are expecting tremendous synergies as we work (with Microsoft) to promote
RareCSP as a simple solution for those companies who are looking to reduce
their time-to-market and the difficulties often involved in setting up and
operating e-commerce storefronts or online trading networks,” said Suresh V.
Mathews, president
and Chief operations officer of Rare Medium.
The RareCSP E-Commerce B2C solution combines transaction processing, product
management, accounting and fraud management, distribution and fulfillment,
customer service and support, and other functions such as Web site design and
development.
The RareCSP Supply Chain B2B solution features Web-enabled electronic
communications and reporting, auction and reverse-auction capabilities,
access to vertical marketplaces, e-procurement, and network data analysis.
As part of this alliance, Rare Medium said it plans to roll out the RareCSP
solution set globally. The initial countries targeted for localization are
Japan, Singapore, United Kingdom and Australia.
Both companies will coordinate marketing and sales efforts, including joint
marketing funds, co-branded advertisements, direct mail, seminars,
conferences and case studies.
Rare Medium’s Internet services include development and authoring of business
plans and strategies; strategic, creative and technological consulting for
Web initiatives; online brand development and management; development of
content for broadband and wireless applications; and launches of online
commerce-trading exchanges.