VerticalNet and Microsoft to Join Forces to Accelerate
Business-to-Business Commerce on the Internet
======================================================================
Companies to Jointly Create Largest Network of Buyers and Sellers Across
Vertical Markets; Microsoft Corp. to Acquire Equity Stake in VerticalNet Inc.
REDMOND, Wash. and HORSHAM, Pa., Jan. 20 /PRNewswire/ --
VerticalNet Inc. (NASDAQ:VERT) and Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:MSFT) announced
that they will enter into a strategic alliance to deliver a rich set of
business-to-business e-commerce services and content to small to medium-sized
businesses eager to reach new markets and transact business over the Internet.
As part of the alliance, Microsoft will provide VerticalNet(R), the
Internet's leading portfolio of business-to-business trading communities, with
significant distribution and marketing support through multiple Microsoft(R)
properties including the MSN(TM) network of Internet services, Microsoft
bCentral(TM) small-business portal, and Microsoft.com. In addition, Microsoft
will invest $100 million in VerticalNet.
VerticalNet has agreed to work with Microsoft to accelerate its adoption
of key Microsoft technologies as the underlying platforms that support
VerticalNet's extensive community architecture, including upgrading to the
Microsoft Windows(R) 2000 Professional Edition operating system, Microsoft SQL
Server(TM) and Microsoft Site Server Commerce Edition, as well as supporting
Microsoft's Next Generation Windows Services and future enhancements to
Microsoft's e-commerce technologies.
"The growth in trading partners Microsoft can bring adds enormous value to
our global buyers and suppliers. This new alliance will provide new and
flexible ways for companies to buy and sell products on the Internet.
Companies will have the choice of using a VerticalNet Storefront, E-Commerce
Center, Auction technologies or other commerce features all built on top of
Microsoft's platforms and Web-based services," said Mark Walsh, president and
CEO of VerticalNet. "These tools give companies a commerce platform and
instant access to communities of targeted buyers in any of our vertical
markets. Buyers can also access current and new VerticalNet communities
through bCentral, Microsoft's small-business portal. It's a major commitment
to creating liquid markets where procurement and transactions can flourish."
"This alliance will allow Microsoft to accelerate the benefits of
e-business for businesses of all sizes. Our relationship with VerticalNet is a
strategic complement to our open partnering model, giving customers of
bCentral the ability to participate in more than 50 vertical information and
trading communities," said Laura Jennings, vice president of Worldwide
Strategic Planning for Microsoft. "VerticalNet will be a great showcase for
Microsoft's Next Generation Windows Services and will demonstrate the
scalability and flexibility of Microsoft's platforms."
About VerticalNet
VerticalNet Inc. (www.verticalnet.com) owns and operates 55
industry-specific Web sites designed as online business-to-business
communities, known as vertical trade communities. These vertical trade
communities provide users with comprehensive sources of information,
interaction and e-commerce.
They are grouped into industry sectors: ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES:
Aerospace Online, Auto Central.com, Computer OEM Online, Embedded
Technology.com, Plant Automation.com, Semiconductor Online, Test and
Measurement.com; COMMUNICATIONS: Digital Broadcasting.com, EC Online, Fiber
Optics Online, Photonics Online, Premises Networks.com, RF Globalnet, Wireless
Design Online, Wireless Networks Online; ENVIRONMENTAL: ElectricNet,
Pollution Online, Power Online, PublicWorks.com, Pulp and Paper Online, Solid
Waste.com, Water Online; FOOD AND PACKAGING: Bakery Online, Beverage Online,
Dairy Network.com, Food Ingredients Online, Food Online, Meat and Poultry
Online, Packaging Network.com; FOODSERVICE AND HOSPITALITY:
E-Hospitality.com, Foodservice Central.com; HEALTHCARE/SCIENCE: Bioresearch
Online, Drug Discovery Online, E-Dental.com, Home Health Provider.com,
Hospital Network.com, Laboratory Network.com, Long Term Care Provider.com,
Medical Design Online, Nurses.com; MANUFACTURING AND METALS: Machine Tools
Online, Metrology World.com, Safety Online, Surface Finishing.com, Tooling
Online; PROCESS: Adhesives and Sealants.com, Chemical Online, Hydrocarbon
Online, Oil and Gas Online, Paint and Coatings.com, Pharmaceutical Online;
PUBLIC SECTOR: GovCon.com; SERVICE: HR Hub.com, Property and Casualty.com;
TEXTILES AND APPAREL; OTHER: Oil Link.com, LabX.com, Industry Deals.com, IT
CareerHub.com, Professional Store.com.
About bCentral
The Microsoft bCentral online business service is a new Web-based portal
created specifically to meet the needs of small and growing companies.
bCentral provides a comprehensive, affordable and integrated suite of services
to help companies move their businesses forward on the Web. bCentral focuses
on three core areas:
-- Getting a business started online (includes connecting to the Web and
building a business Web site)
-- Promoting and marketing a business online
-- Managing a business more effectively
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software for
personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products
and services designed to empower people through great software -- any time,
any place and on any device.
This announcement contains forward-looking statements that involve risks
and uncertainties, including those relating to (i)the completion and
implementation of the strategic alliance, and the benefits expected from such
alliance; (ii)the results expected to derive from the alliance; (iii)the
services and products that the parties plan to provide as a result of the
relationship, (iv)VerticalNet's adoption of Microsoft platforms, and
(v)information contained elsewhere in this document where statements are
preceded by, followed by or include the words "believes," "plans," "intends,"
"expects," "anticipates" or similar expressions. For such statements, the
company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking
statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Actual results may differ materially from the results predicted, and reported
results should not be considered as an indication of future performance. The
potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
from those included in the forward-looking statements include, among others,
the ability to complete definitive agreements and conclude the strategic
alliance and the investment in VerticalNet in a timely fashion. Additional
factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the
forward-looking statements include those set forth in the company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the period ending Dec. 31, 1998, and the company's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 1999, both of
which have been filed with the SEC.
NOTE: Microsoft, MSN, bCentral and Windows are either registered
trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other
countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the
trademarks of their respective owners.
SOURCE Microsoft Corp.
-0- 01/20/2000
/NOTE TO EDITORS: If you are interested in viewing additional information
on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at
microsoft.com on Microsoft's corporate information
pages. For detailed information on bCentral, please visit the bCentral Web
page at microsoft.com.
/CONTACT: press only, Peter Harris of VerticalNet Inc., 212-931-6112, or
pharris@peppercom.com; or Rachel Weikum, 503-412-3661, or rachelw@wagged.com,
or Rapid Response Team, 503-443-7000, or rrt@wagged.com, both of Waggener
Edstrom for Microsoft; or investors, Muriel Lange, 215-315-6657, or
mlange@verticalnet.com; or Carla Lewis of Microsoft, 425-936-3702, or
carlalew@microsoft.com/
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