http://www.zdnet.com/pcmag/issues/1507/pcmg0018.htm (PC Press Internet CD, 03/1996)

PC Magazine -- April 9, 1996

Connecting Business Is Big Business

Jonathan Karl Matzkin

GE Interbusiness and Industry.Net unfold plans.

The landscape of business-to-business electronic commerce--connecting companies with suppliers and vendors--came more clearly into focus following announcements by two major players. GE Information Services has unveiled GE Interbusiness, which enables secure business transactions via standard Internet protocols and software already in the hands of millions of potential users. And Industry.Net, one of the largest and oldest electronic commerce providers, has hinted at forthcoming additions to its own online-transaction capabilities.

GE Interbusiness lets users conduct secure transactions without proprietary software or direct connection to a point of presence (POP) on GE's network. Instead, users access GE's transaction services from any Internet connection using browsers, Telnet, and e-mail. GE says its new offering combines the rigorous security of its pre-existing electronic commerce services with the simplicity of TCP/IP Internet connections that businesses already have in place. "The Internet offers convenience and ease of use," says Anne Biehl, manager of global market development for GE Information Services. She suggests that simple Internet access makes it easier for current GE Information Services customers to "include smaller partners in their online trading community."

In a move that underscores the importance of the emerging online business-to-business marketplace, Jim Manzi, former Lotus Development CEO, has joined Industry.Net (www.industry.net) as president and CEO.

Industry.Net has to date focused on creating what chairman Donald Jones calls "an aggregation of buyers and sellers" and on providing information online that allows buyers to make purchasing decisions in a variety of manufacturing markets. The next logical move is into direct online transactions. Industry.Net has been working on our transaction engine for over a year, and the company has pilot programs in place for transmission of purchase orders and request for quotations directly to sellers.

Jones says that soon the company will make a major announcement concerning online funds transfer and transaction clearing that will be accessible via the Internet. Industry.Net also has plans to expand its operations into the international arena.