Hoffman and Ballmer announced new software solutions including the Commerce One MarketSite(TM) Gateway for Microsoft(R) BizTalk(TM) Framework, the Commerce One MarketSite(TM) Connectivity Kit for Microsoft BizTalk and Microsoft solutions for supplier enablement. The new technology offerings represent key milestones in the strategic alliance between Microsoft and Commerce One announced last September.
The Commerce One MarketSite Gateway for Microsoft BizTalk Framework is expected to allow any organization, of any size, anywhere, to connect its own business processes with those of its trading partners, through Commerce One e-marketplaces. The new gateway will provide an open solution for enterprise applications to exchange Commerce One xCBL business documents with e-marketplaces using the electronic envelopes and messaging protocol of the Microsoft BizTalk Framework.
The Commerce One MarketSite Connectivity Kit for Microsoft BizTalk will leverage the capabilities of Microsoft BizTalk Server 2000 to provide a broad solution for seamless and easy integration of applications and business services with Commerce One e-marketplaces. The kit consists of process flow definitions for common business processes, BizTalk Server 2000 application integration components for Commerce One xCBL documents, and mappings to common business XML and EDI formats, and is expected to allow businesses to more rapidly and easily develop applications that communicate with any Commerce One e-marketplace. In addition to being an integral part of upcoming releases of Microsoft bCentral(TM) Commerce Manager and Microsoft’s supplier enablement solutions offerings, the kit is designed to integrate with Microsoft BizTalk Server 2000 and Visual Studio(R) development system tools.
Microsoft’s supplier enablement solution includes functionality that can connect suppliers of any size to a Commerce One-based e-marketplace, quickly, easily and cost-effectively. The Microsoft solution includes tools and architectural guidance for implementers to easily enable suppliers to upload their catalog to multiple e-marketplaces and facilitate multichannel order receiving and management through a user-friendly interface. As a result of these business-to-business initiatives, Microsoft and Commerce One are globally enabling buyers and suppliers to realize the true benefits of electronic trading.
Commerce One and Microsoft are actively engaged in joint sales opportunities and have signed several joint e-marketplace customers. Customers who have chosen solutions from Microsoft and Commerce One include Asite, a United Kingdome e-marketplace for the construction industry, and Eutilia, a pan-European e-marketplace serving the utilities industry. Commerce One and Microsoft are also collaborating with mutual alliance partners to jointly design, market and sell packaged solution offerings designed to ease the integration and deployment of their solutions for enterprises of all sizes.
