BroadVision, Bank of America push Web services
The software maker and banking giant agree to form a new company that will build internal corporate Web sites for businesses.
BroadVision, which develops e-commerce software that allows companies to do business online, and the banking giant said they will be the primary investors in the company, with Hewlett-Packard and Amadeus Global Travel Distribution as partners.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
Combining software and technology from BroadVision and HP, the customized portals will provide a company's employees with access to tools and information such as training, benefits, financial services, travel services, industry news and stock quotes.
HP said it will be the primary supplier of computer support products and services for the new company and its clients, including providing employees with PCs and printers.
The announcement follows an investment the computing giant made in Moai Technologies, another e-commerce software provider. The investments are part of HP's push into the e-commerce services niche.
Several technology providers have jumped into building corporate portals in an effort to capture a chunk of the lucrative portal software market, including Oracle, IBM, Microsoft, SAP and the Sun-Netscape Alliance.
For its part, Bank of America will help build the portal's human resources and employee benefits areas. It will also be the primary provider of the banking and financial services. BroadVision said it will license its e-commerce application suite to the new company and provide maintenance and support services.
Amadeus, a provider of travel reservations and services, will offer its corporate procurement applications with self-service options such as online booking and ticketing.
Bank of America and BroadVision said they expect the company will begin operations later this year.