Ariba signs deals with Dell, American Express

Ariba (Nasdaq: ARBA) saw its stock rise slightly in afterhours trading after the company announced an e-commerce deal with Dell Computer (Nasdaq: DELL).

Dell on Monday said it would create a Dell business-to-business marketplace, using technology from Ariba, which supplies business software that links major industrial companies to Internet-based distributors.

In afterhours activity on the Island network, shares of Ariba traded at 298 15/16, and Dell at 55. Ariba closed Monday's regular trading at 298, down 7 3/8 for the day, prior to the Dell announcement. Dell, which was upgraded by two analysts before the opening bell, closed Monday's regular session at 54 3/4, up 3 1/2 for the day.

The companies said the Dell B2B marketplace would be available in the third quarter to U.S. customers.

Also Monday, Ariba unveiled an agreement to develop new electronic payment services with American Express (NYSE: AXP). Ariba's business-to-business commerce platform will be integrated with the American Express B2B Commerce Network.

Ariba has signed some high profile deals recently, including an alliance with IBM (NYSE: IBM) and i2 Technologies (Nasdaq: ITWO) last week.