KINGSPORT, TENN. January 23, 2001 With trading partner connectivity emerging as a key condition for the spread of B2B e-commerce, Eastman Chemical Co. took a step toward a more enabled supply chain Tuesday by announcing that it has completed 15 system-to-system connections with major partners.
The computer-to-computer connections support Eastman's e-business strategy of making it easy to do business with the company, according to Fred Buehler, vice president of e-business for the chemical giant.
"We developed these computer-to-computer integration options to provide choices for our trading partners in the way they want to interact with us," Buehler said, adding that these options also give Eastman the flexibility and speed to exploit emerging business-to-business integration opportunities.
Using webMethods business-to-business integration (B2Bi) solutions, Albemarle Corp. and Rayonier participated in Eastman's successful system-to-system pilot program in early 2000.
Since then, Eastman has established connections with Aristech Chemical, Ashland Chemical, Colgate-Palmolive, ExxonMobil Chemical, PPG Industries and Van Waters & Rogers (Vopak), all using webMethods B2Bi solutions.
In addition, Eastman has used OneChem's storefront to establish procurement connections to Koch Chemical and Vulcan Chemicals; and a solution from Envera to make system-to-system connections with Borden Chemical, Lyondell Chemical and Equistar Chemical.
Eastman is proceeding with plans to establish similar connections with other trading partners, Buehler said, noting that eventually "we expect these system-to-system links with major trading partners to account for at least half of our online revenues."
Headquartered in Kingsport, Tenn., Eastman manufactures and markets chemicals, fibers and plastics. Eastman employs approximately 15,000 people in more than 30 countries and had 1999 sales of $4.59 billion.
Eastman Chemical Company www.eastman.com
