Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : CMGI What is the latest news on this stock? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Scarecrow who wrote (15415)	1/3/2000 10:28:00 AM
From: mike machi	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 19700

wow!!! Date: 01/03/2000 9:57:12 AM Eastern Standard Time From: newsout@stockwatch.com To: ls40095@aol.com (Applies to: FMKT VERT ARBA CMGI) B2B Vortals Still the Most Undervalued Internet Play. To Account for $5 Trillion in Purchases by 2002 says Delphi Group BOSTON, Jan 3, 2000 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Business-to-business transactions will soar, but the real story is the value of the new markets being built around vortals, says Delphi's Koulopoulos. The media spotlight at the end of 1999 clearly focused on the incredible success of DOT COMs and the realization of e-commerce, or business-to-consumer internet. However, business-to-business (B2B) vortals will make those numbers pale by as early as 2002, says The Delphi Group's Thomas Koulopoulos. A groundswell of recent activity provides a barometer of the increased interest and potential in the business-to-business space, says Koulopoulos, Delphi's President. CMGI, which has dedicated $1 billion to fund business-to-business activity through its B2B@Venture fund is already playing in the vortal space with investments in Chemdex and SilkNet. (which exclusively focus on B2B activity). EDS and AT Kearney Ventures have dedicated $1.5 billion focusing specifically on vortal companies. "These activities point to an increased commitment and attention by the financial markets on the B2B space. What the Delphi Group finds especially significant are the markets that are evolving around these new trading networks," explains Koulopoulos. "The Delphi Group has dubbed these markets vortals. These vortals will become the source of incredible opportunity as vertical markets are developed around these new technologies." "One example illustrates the enormous potential," explains Koulopoulos. "General Motors and Ford are making significant forays into the B2B space, taking e-procurement to a new level by creating a vortal for all of their purchasing communities. The activity being built and the communities evolving around these vortals are not to be trivialized," emphasizes Koulopoulos. "GM estimates $500 billion will flow through its vortal in just a few years' time." That is just scratching the surface of market potential. "Imagine marketplaces virtually devoid of transactions, where myriad vortals coordinate, orchestrate and execute the many pieces of the value chain inherent in any business process," says Koulopoulos. "General Motors' and Ford's core identity may still be manufacturing in five years time, but their greater value and core competency will most likely be in building vortals." "Vortals expand the community of providers, suppliers, and buyers in a value chain by an order of magnitude and create high interchangeability between these participants," explains Koulopoulos. "Most importantly, they apply the recent overabundance of capital to the innovative process in all industries at a velocity that can keep pace with increasing expectations for higher returns. In many ways vortals are the economic model that will justify and support the inflating internet economy." Companies such as Free Markets (NASDAQ:FMKT), VerticalNet (NASDAQ:VERT), e-steel, Ariba ((NASDAQ:ARBA), Tradex (recently acquired by Ariba for $1.65 Billion), and Chemdex foreshadow the importance of vertical portal play, both in terms of their soaring market valuations and the radical impact they are having on the B2B marketplace. More on Vortals The Delphi Group will provide ongoing commentary and analysis of this marketplace including original research and interviews with analysts throughout the year in its research outlets (Delphi NewsFlash, Delphi Insight Series, and DelphiWeb) and on its community website, www.delphigroup.com. Listen to the audio version of this press release. Thomas M. Koulopoulos discusses Vortals in an audio NewsFlash, at thevortals.com. e-business Research and Education The Delphi Group's most recent market research on e-business is reported in the Insight Series research report, e-business - the practical perspective. This series provides a comprehensive review of the factors that have given rise to the current e-business trend, including a discussion of vortals. The series also offers a framework for understanding the different kinds and functions of e-business offerings, analyzes the opinions and actions of early e-business implementers, and gives a comprehensive catalog and evaluation of current e-business technology providers. Complementing this research are e-business educational events including seminars and conferences. Visit delphigroup.com or call Client Services at (800) 575-3367 for details. About The Delphi Group The Delphi Group (www.delphigroup.com) is the leading provider of advisory services, consulting, market research, education and community building seminars and conferences for the areas of e-business, knowledge and content management. With offices established around the world, Delphi has assisted professionals across disciplines and industries at nearly every major national and global organization and branch of government. The Delphi Group has its headquarters at 100 City Hall Plaza, Boston, Massachusetts. Note to Editors: References to this Delphi research and analysis must include attribution to: The Delphi Group, Inc., Boston, MA, and include reference to Delphi's home page URL: delphigroup.com. Web-based references must include a link back to Delphi's home page. Reach Thomas Koulopoulos, Delphi Group president via email at tk@delphigroup.com or call 617-247-1511.