New Solutions Roundup, Part 2

Tempe, AZ  February 15, 2002  The past week was a busy one for the enterprise software industry, with new solution announcements from a host of providers.

Yesterday's new solutions roundup covered offerings from Baan, Blue Martini, IMI, J.D. Edwards and Logistics.com. Following is the latest news from Moai, Oracle, Pindar, Profit Tools, webMethods.

Moai Technologies unveiled version 4.1 of its CompleteSource e-sourcing solution, which the provider says will allow executives to monitor and control the sourcing process across their organization and will enable buyers to better manage negotiations throughout the online bidding process. The new version, built on Moai's existing e-sourcing solution, incorporates technology from Medebiz, a developer of e-sourcing software tools and services that merged with Moai in January 2002. New upgrades to the CompleteSource solution have been designed to make it easier for executives to monitor sourcing events and to negotiate interactively in a less structured environment, with added functionality including an executive dashboard, clarification capabilities and a platform upgrade, Moai reports. Companies can use CompleteSource 4.1 as part of a service offering, as a hosted e-sourcing program or as a software solution that can be integrated within the supply chain infrastructure.

Enterprise software provider Oracle Corp. announced an expansion of its contract management software suite with new applications for sales contracts and contracts intelligence. Oracle says that Sales Contracts fully automates the contract negotiation processes, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of the sales organization and reducing costs through increased contract renewal rates, improved order accuracy and compliance with regulatory guidelines. Oracle Contracts Intelligence provides executives with "daily business close" information by converting transactional data into key business metrics, enabling executives to manage by facts, the solution provider says. The return on investment in the contracts intelligence application comes through increased accuracy of business decisions and better revenue forecasts based on up-to-the-minute, global information, Oracle says.

Catalog content technology provider Pindar Systems rolled out a new enterprise catalog commerce server that Pindar says will enable B2B and B2C companies to drive sales and cut costs through faster, more creative development of complex catalogs and promotions across print, online and supply chain channels worldwide. Pindar says its Agility is the first product information management system built with a Java-based, J2EE-compliant Web application server architecture, making it an IT-friendly enterprise solution for integrated catalog development across sales channels; among in-house merchandising, marketing, creative and production teams; between domestic and international company divisions and brands; and in collaboration with both buy- and sell-side trading partners. Office Depot has signed on as Pindar's principal partner in the final beta development of Agility. The system is due to be released commercially early in the second quarter this year.

Freight transportation software developer Profit Tools released the latest version of its business, operations and e-commerce product line, Profit Tools for Trucking. Profit Tools specializes in providing technology to small- and medium-sized carriers. Version 3.5 of the company's eponymous software addresses the rail and ocean movement requirements of intermodal businesses and provides new automated features for less-than-truckload (LTL) companies. The update includes enhancements to automate settlements, fuel transactions and fleet reporting and to increase the ease of performing dispatching tasks such as routing and assigning loads, equipment, drivers, containers and routes.

B2B integration specialist webMethods announced the availability of its Connect Express for RosettaNet, a limited-use version of the webMethods integration platform specifically designed to meet the requirements of high-tech manufacturers. By providing a pre-configured, automated testing and implementation methodology, webMethods says the new offering provides a cost-effective solution for companies participating in the RosettaNet Basics Program, which simplifies the implementation of RosettaNet standards. Connect Express for RosettaNet, which is available immediately, is platform-independent and requires no additional software investment, according to webMethods.