With the release of its $250,000 BuyerXpert 1.0 procurement software, Netscape Communications Corp says it has completed its CommerceXpert family, a suite of open standards-based software for companies doing business on the net. Other family members include PublishingXpert, SellerXpert, MerchantXpert and ECXpert. BuyerXpert is designed to automate the procurement process by handling local and remote supplier catalogs, letting users place orders and managing expense approvals. The system uses Electronic Document Interchange (EDI) protocols and can integrate with a legacy system or ERP platform. It runs on Sun Microsystems Inc’s Solaris operating system. The CommerceXpert range started life at Actra Business Systems Inc, the joint venture with GE Information Systems that Netscape bought out last November. The Mountain View, California-based browser giant clearly hopes to pad out last year’s disappointing server sales with a more comprehensive product range. But some observers question whether the market can sustain BuyerXpert’s hefty price tag. In particular, CNet points out that Microsoft’s rival procurement system starts at $4,600, though it does require more work to install.
