VerticalNet and b2bdiversity to Provide Supplier Enablement Tools for Women, Minority and Small Business Suppliers
Under the terms of the agreement, b2bdiversity, which creates diversity portals for FORTUNE 2000 companies and industry consortia, will offer VerticalNet Marketplace Manager to thousands of its women, minority and small owned-suppliers.
Rolled-out last month to suppliers within VerticalNet's 59 industry-specific marketplaces, VerticalNet Marketplace Manager allows suppliers to present their products and services to corporate procurement buyers. Marketplace Manager enables businesses to generate more leads through publication of discreet catalog content to multiple online marketplaces. Suppliers using Marketplace Manager are also able to centrally manage unique presentation of their catalog content and analyze online sales and lead information.
``b2bdiversity is the leader in matching women, minority and small-owned suppliers with enterprise buyers,'' said Tom Roberts, Vice President and General Manager of VerticalNet's Small/Medium Business Group. ``The women, minority and small-owned supplier market is comprised of more than 24 million small and medium sized businesses - - many of whom need a simple way to manage and showcase their products and services online. By teaming with b2bdiveristy, we gain a channel for offering our products to a new set of suppliers and are able to establish new relationships with enterprise buyers.''
``We are excited to be working with VerticalNet to offer our diverse suppliers the tools they need for enhanced online sourcing and procurement,'' said Dina Rosenberg, president of b2bdiversity. ``VerticalNet's marketplace manager provides enablement capabilities for all of our suppliers regardless of size. Additionally, these tools will allow our corporate buyers to act strategically when sourcing from this community.''
B2B Diversity, 33 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 215-627-2910; Fax: 215-627-2993.