IBM e-commerce software goes euro
The latest version of net.Commerce will support the new European currency.
That makes IBM one of the first e-commerce vendors that can handle payments in the pan-European currency that goes live next month. Net.Commerce version 3.1.2 also includes features for setting up various kinds of online auctions -- an emerging method. of conducting Internet commerce.
IBM also will ship the hosting version, announced in September, of its e-commerce software on December 18. The software is designed for banks, newspapers, ISPs, and others that want to get into hosted e-commerce services or online malls.
"We think by providing euro support early on, we will enable our customers to compete more effectively in the European marketplace," said Karl Salnoske, general manager, electronic commerce, in IBM's software division. Support for the euro is key not only in Europe, where it will become a cross-border means of exchange, but also for global companies doing business with Europe.
IBM's auction code, which can be downloaded for preview, will be included in a 1999 release of Net.Commerce.
IBM also announced new relationships with 18 software partners, including a batch from outside North America, whose applications work with IBM Net.Commerce to add features such as personalization, merchandising, customer service, supply chain management, payments, and enterprise resource planning (ERP).
New IBM partners include e-commerce services firm CyberSource, online coupon firm Netcentives tracking firm net.Genesis, Seagate Software, and shipping service UPS.
In a previously announced deal, IBM is using software from CyberCash's ICVerify division to add SSL-based payments to IBM's offerings. Implementing another earlier deal, IBM also said integration code for NetPerceptions' personalization software is now available.
IBM also announced that chemical industry site e-Chemicals and computer reseller MicroAge are using its e-commerce software.
The hosting edition of Net.Commerce will be priced from $12,499 for one processor. It includes five merchants, with a $9,999 charge for additional processors and $499 for a single-merchant license and $450 per license for 50 merchants. Windows NT and AIX platforms are due to ship December 18, with a Sun Solaris version due January 29.
Net.Commerce is part of IBM's WebSphere family of application servers and will be branded WebSphere beginning next year.