Microsoft leads partnership to exchange software solution

Ariba, Clarus, Commerce One and Microsoft are today launching a B2B program aimed at getting companies trading on exchanges.

The program, called SupplierExpress, will enable companies to build online catalogues, accept orders and organise shipments. The initiative is based on Microsoft's Commerce Server and BizTalk Server, as well as products from the other member companies. The initiative is a follow up to the Universal Description Discovery and Integration (UDDI) directory, launched by Microsoft, IBM and Ariba in September. UDDI is an XML-based directory that registers businesses, allowing them to link up with suitable trading partners.