BT and Commerce One launch UK business portal

BT and US ecommerce developer, Commerce One have set up a partnership to develop what they claim will be the UK's first true business portal.

BT's supply chain experience has been combined with Commerce One's ecommerce products to create a Web site incorporating indirect goods and services. Firms will be invited to buy services such as business travel, hardware and stationary straight from the Web site.

Eric Guilloteau, general manager of BT electronic business, said: "This is what ecommerce is all about - research suggests that business-to-business is going to be ten times bigger than consumer ecommerce."

Guilloteau said firms using the portal can expect to make considerable cost savings on their procurement. "The three benefits offered to firms from this site are cost reduction, control and convenience," he said.

Buyers will be able to place and track orders with a number of sellers from one point. The firms claim this will improve buying processes and relationships with indirect goods sellers.