Webb Interactive Services, Inc. announced a technology partnership with Switchboard, Inc., focused on bringing Webb’s XML-based community publishing and commerce platform to Switchboard’s network of merchants, users and distribution partners. Switchboard, Inc., a majority-held subsidiary of Banyan Worldwide is a leading Internet directory that represents thousands of merchants nationwide. Webb’s XML-based Internet publishing and advertising platform will strengthen online business/consumer interaction in areas such as offer management and comparison-shopping. This will allow consumers to easily find merchants who best fit their needs, and merchants will be able to interact with targeted consumers more effectively. Switchboard will integrate Webb’s technology into its merchant services on Switchboard.com and through its distribution network. No financial terms of the partnership were disclosed. The partnership with Switchboard is the first deployment of Webb’s e-commerce platform using XML. www.webb.net