VerticalNet Japan Launches Online Communities
HORSHAM, Pa., Dec. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- VerticalNet, Inc. (Nasdaq: VERT), the Internet's leading business-to-business e-commerce enabler, today announced that VerticalNet Japan Corp. has launched seven localized versions of its industry-specific online communities to provide B2B Internet services to the Japanese market. VerticalNet Japan Corp. is a joint venture between VerticalNet, Inc. and SOFTBANK E-COMMERCE CORP., a wholly owned subsidiary of SOFTBANK CORP. (Tokyo Stock Exchange 9984).
Since the company's formation in July 2000, VerticalNet Japan has launched seven vertical marketplaces to serve Japanese industries including: -- Pharmaceutical (iyaku-japan.com), Auto (auto-japan.com); Metalwork (metalwork-japan.com); Semiconductor (semiconductor-japan.com); Administration (admin-japan.com); Logistics (logistic-japan.com); and Wireless (idoutai- japan.com). Additional marketplaces are expected to launch in early 2001.
Currently, VerticalNet Japan's communities offer industry news, product information, VerticalNet(R) storefronts and buyer's guide. Additional features and functionality will continue to be added. The marketplaces offer localized content that targets the specific needs of Japanese manufacturers and suppliers.
"The Japanese market is an enormous segment of the world economy, which we believe represents a significant opportunity for our B2B solutions," said David Kostman, president of VerticalNet International. "This launch marks a key milestone for VerticalNet in fulfilling our vision to establish the company as the leading global B2B trading platform with regional networks and local focus."
VerticalNet Japan has launched with a prominent roster of clients including: Beckman Coulter K.K., Nihon Unisys, Ltd., Hitachi Mobile Co., Ltd., Nippon Novellus Systems K.K., Japan Pallet Rental Corporation, and Agilent Technologies Japan, Ltd.
"The launch of VerticalNet Japan creates a vertical trading community designed specifically to meet the needs of Japanese businesses," said Eiji Suzuki, CEO of VerticalNet Japan. "We were able to go live with our Japanese marketplace in less than six months, while I've seen similar projects from other companies take more than a year. The tremendous success again proves the importance of execution and the collaborative efforts of VerticalNet, VerticalNet Japan and our vendors."
VerticalNet and VerticalNet Japan worked with Uniscape, the leading provider of ebusiness globalization solutions, to create Japanese-specific versions of its portfolio of online vertical trading communities and to globalize its core technology platform for international markets.
About VerticalNet Japan Corp.
Headquartered in Tokyo, VerticalNet Japan Corp. is a joint venture of SOFTBANK E-COMMERCE CORP. and VerticalNet, Inc. The Company, founded in July 2000, operates industry-specific business-to-business Web sites including: iyaku-japan.com (Pharmaceutical); metalwork-japan.com (Metalwork); auto-japan.com
(Auto); semiconductor-japan.com (Semiconductor); logistic-japan.com (Logistics); admin-japan.com
(Administration); idoutai-japan.com (Wireless); and VerticalNet Japan [http://www.verticalnet-japan.com/].
About VerticalNet, Inc.
VerticalNet, Inc. (www.verticalnet.com) provides end-to-end e-commerce solutions targeted at distinct business segments through three strategic business units: VerticalNet Markets includes 58 industry-specific digital marketplaces designed as online vertical trading communities and provides hosted e-commerce and community capabilities for corporate divisions and mid- size businesses; VerticalNet Exchange focuses on direct material open and spot markets; and VerticalNet Solutions builds digital marketplaces for global 2000 customers, consortia and neutral Net market makers. VerticalNet International leverages the Company's three strategic business units to create global Internet B2B marketplaces, offering products and services internationally and partnering with companies that have strong local presence and domain expertise.
About SOFTBANK E-COMMERCE CORP.
SOFTBANK E-COMMERCE CORP. (SBEC), (http://www.softbankec.co.jp/), an intermediary holding company of SOFTBANK CORP., plans and funds strategic initiatives, and support and manages SOFTBANK Group companies to operate in the IT distribution and electronic commerce sector. SBEC's affiliates are SOFTBANK COMMERCE CORP., which provides some 5,000 IT wholesalers with distribution channel to 26,000 sales outlets in Japan, business to business companies, such as VerticalNet Japan Corp., Nihon Ariba K.K., SmartAge Japan Corp. and SmartFirm; and business to consumer companies, such as e-Shopping! Books, e-Shopping! Toys, e-Shopping! CarGoods, e-Shopping! Wine, CarPoint K.K., e-career, ONSALE Japan., eS! Music Corp. and Diamond.com Corporation.
VerticalNet and NECX are registered trademarks and/or trademarks of Vert Tech LLC in the United States and/or other countries.
SOURCE VerticalNet, Inc.
CO: VerticalNet, Inc.; VerticalNet Japan Corp.; SOFTBANK E-COMMERCE CORP.; SOFTBANK CORP.
ST: Pennsylvania, Japan
IN: CPR MLM
SU: PDT
12/14/2000 07:00 EST prnewswire.com |
