VERTD Verticalnet (MM)

Ease of use, Speed of Implementation, and Standardization of Process Enables Goss International to Drive Weekly Cost Savings Through High Volume Negotiation Verticalnet, Inc. (Nasdaq:VERTD), a leading provider of on-demand supply management solutions in partnership with Archstone Consulting, today announced that a global leader in web offset printing solutions, Goss International, has successfully deployed the Verticalnet(R) XE Negotiation Manager module as its eSourcing negotiation platform. With manufacturing sites in America, Asia and Europe and a support network spanning the globe, Goss International specializes in advanced press and post-press technology for all newspaper and commercial web printing applications. Goss customers include many of the largest newspapers and commercial printers in the world, such as the The New York Times, Tribune Publishing, Apple Daily, R.R. Donnelley and QuebecorWorld. Innovation is a leading driver of Goss International's competitive strategy. This focus on leading technology and solutions requires the effective sourcing of machinery, parts, and related press components as a key enabler for success. Goss International is committed to setting new cost-effective standards for quality, productivity, efficiency, and reliability with their print solutions. Prior to implementing the Verticalnet XE Negotiation Manager module, Goss International required both a standardized process for sourcing and the tools necessary to identify and seize market opportunities to drive savings. After a pilot process including dozens of live eSourcing events, Goss International has selected Verticalnet as their On Demand supply management solutions provider. The Goss e-sourcing program has been rolled out with a targeted scope focused on specific categories supporting core production machinery and related parts. Goss International executes approximately 15 on-line negotiation events per week, including reverse auctions. Buyers typically identify new demand and related product requirements at the beginning of the week, and configure and launch the required sourcing event by the next day. As a result of the deployment of Verticalnet XE Negotiation Manager, Goss International has improved their sourcing process through standardization, produced new cost-savings on their largest categories of spend, and formalized their supplier relationships to drive effective and rapid negotiation. The Verticalnet XE solution simplifies the sourcing process, facilitates rapid negotiation between buyers and suppliers and establishes best practices by category for re-use with each new event. The speed of implementation and formalization of process will allow Goss International to roll the solution out to Europe and Asia based locations with minimal training. "We are now able to rapidly identify and capture savings through eSourcing using the Verticalnet XE solution" states Mike Beaudin, Senior Purchasing Manager for Goss International. "Our buyers are able to quickly launch new events, manage the entire process through standardized templates, and repeat the process over and over again with minimal effort." Mr. Beaudin concludes, "We selected the Verticalnet solution primarily because of the fact we could get started quickly and we could easily standardize our sourcing process for critical materials, and because Verticalnet offered a flexible approach to both pricing and on-demand delivery of the solution." "Many mid-market companies like Goss International are looking to On Demand solutions and focused services to enable their online sourcing process." states Brent Habig, Executive Vice President of Consulting for Verticalnet. Habig concludes, "In working closely with Archstone Consulting, it is clear that the selection of the Verticalnet XE solution by Goss International is another indication of the value of our channel partner relationships to reach mid-market companies." About Verticalnet Verticalnet is a leading provider of on-demand supply management solutions that enable companies to identify and realize sustained value across the supply management lifecycle. Going beyond traditional spend management and sourcing approaches, Verticalnet's solutions provide the visibility, insight and process control required to maximize the sustained value realization from supply management. Large enough to help customers attain supply management success worldwide, yet nimble enough to provide individual attention and remain focused on customer priorities, Verticalnet is helping leading Global 2000 companies and mid-market enterprises move their supply management efforts to the next level through an optimal blend of software, comprehensive services, and deep category knowledge and domain expertise. The Verticalnet XE Supply Management suite is available on-demand and includes: -- Verticalnet(R) Program Manager-- lowers the total cost of ownership and improves productivity through sound and re-usable program and process management -- Verticalnet(R) Spend Manager-- a fast, intelligent, and repeatable solution for identifying, evaluating, and quantifying enterprise-wide sourcing opportunities while measuring compliance -- Verticalnet(R) Negotiation Manager-- accelerates and improves negotiated savings through online auctions and eRFX events -- Verticalnet(R) Procurement Manager-- simplifies and improves control over the procurement process to help companies realize the maximum cost savings identified through supplier sourcing and negotiation -- Verticalnet(R) Contract Manager-- provides real-time insights into contract obligations, exposures, expirations, changes and renewals delivering greater control, reducing costly oversights and minimizing supplier risk -- Verticalnet(R) Performance Manager-- enables companies to effectively track and manage supplier performance, contract compliance and identify potential areas of supplier risk To learn more, please visit us at www.verticalnet.com.