IntraNet Solutions, Inc. announced it has formed a strategic alliance with LexiQuest. Under the agreement, IntraNet Solutions will co-market LexiQuest’s natural language search technology with its Xpedio Content Management system. The technology will enable IntraNet Solutions’ customers worldwide to perform natural language search queries on their Xpedio-powered business Web sites. Natural language technology allows users to search for information by submitting a question to search engines, rather than key words or phrases. This process generates more relevant, accurate search results than traditional methods, and is easier to use for general business users. The new search capability will enable Xpedio customers to find and access business content on Web sites more quickly and easily. www.intranetsolutions.com, www.lexiquest.com
Day: March 25, 2001
Open Market, Inc. announced that NextPage has exercised its option to purchase the Folio technology, which it had been licensing from Open Market. NextPage will pay Open Market $6.6 million in cash in the first quarter 2001, to complete the sale. Open Market began licensing the Folio technology to NextPage in June of 1999. The technology delivers advanced search and navigation of large data files as part of the Search Services component of NextPage’s core NXT 3 e-Content Platform. The purchase completes NextPage’s three-year product license agreement. www.nextpage.com, www.openmarket.com
Interwoven, Inc. announced the release of Interwoven TeamCatalog. Combined with Interwoven TeamSite, TeamCatalog offers a comprehensive platform to enable customers to automate both their product and Web content processes to power multiple eBusiness initiatives. With TeamCatalog, customers will be able to assemble and manage catalog content, while automating the processes necessary to ensure product information is “transaction-ready.” Interwoven TeamCatalog provides a software platform for managing product data that meets the demands of enterprises, B2B marketplaces, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers, who need to aggregate, create, categorize, refresh and distribute eCatalogs. This content includes information such as product name and description, stock keeping unit (SKU) code, price, and other data, which is stored in legacy systems, databases and ERP systems such as SAP, PeopleSoft and Oracle. TeamCatalog is a development-side eCatalog content management solution that is compatible with leading transactional catalog products from BEA, IBM, ATG, BroadVision, Microsoft and others. TeamCatalog features include: Easy-to-use administrative tools facilitate schedule updates, define process checkpoints, set validation criteria, and manage versions of catalog files for tracking and automatic rollback as needed; Aggregation, normalization, and rationalization capabilities make product content from one or more sources `transaction-ready’ for eCommerce sites; Creation and management of multiple taxonomies, such as UNSPSC and industry-specific taxonomies. The combination of Interwoven TeamCatalog software, with B2B Edition and TeamSite software, provides the necessary content infrastructure for enterprise eBusiness initiatives. Enterprises can represent their product information accurately and merchandise their products with rich information, graphics and metadata. www.interwoven.com/products/teamcatalog
Vitria announced that the company has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire XMLSolutions Corporation. Vitria believes that there is a substantial market opportunity for EDI/XML integration. Given the complexity and cost of EDI software, most companies only use EDI to communicate with the top 15-20% of their trading partners. The remaining 80-85% of trading partners need a simpler, less expensive solution that leverages the emerging XML standard for information exchange over the Internet. The total purchase price for the transaction will be approximately $15 million, of which $7 million will be paid at the closing in cash to preferred shareholders, and $8 million will be used to retire short-term debt and other liabilities of XMLSolutions. The closing of the acquisition is subject to the approval of the shareholders of XMLSolutions, as well as the satisfaction of certain customary closing conditions. Vitria will account for the acquisition as a purchase and expects to complete the transaction in early April. www.xmls.com, www.vitria.com
Digital Goods and Texterity, Inc. announced an agreement that will extend Digital Goods’ Amplifi content marketing/eCommerce solution from the publisher’s desktop to storefronts across the Internet. Under the agreement, Texterity’s TextCafe, an automated service that converts PDF, Quark or Word files to XML and Open eBook formats, will be offered by Digital Goods to its content partners. Texterity’s service bridges the digital document preparation gap between publishers’ systems and Digital Goods’ Amplifi Internet distribution/sales tools and services. Texterity also will make Digital Goods’ Amplifi the recommended digital content marketing solution for its content conversion customers. Both companies are partners of Reciprocal, the digital rights management leader that is enabling those popular reader formats for content offered through Digital Goods. www.digitalgoods.com, www.texterity.com
eBT International, Inc. announced the release of engenda 4.7. The latest version of eBT’s content management and workflow automation solution features new functionality to simplify workflow development and enhance personalization through advanced integration with BEA WebLogic Personalization Server. Included in engenda 4.7 are: Microsoft Visio Workflow Solution: Based on a prototype eBT announced last year, this drag-and-drop, graphical interface allows anyone to create workflows from within Microsoft Visio. The workflows are stored as XML, without requiring users to learn the markup language; LDAP Support; Localization tools and guidelines enable global organizations to easily configure engenda 4.7 for non-English speaking locales; and Apache support. engenda 4.7 is available immediately with prices starting at $75,000. www.ebt.com
