SciQuest.com's B2B E-Marketplace

The Technology Contd...

The software also had the ability to keep a check on the sale of substances, which could potentially be used to make bombs or drugs. This was made possible by linking PureEcommerce with a CRM application and an e-mail system. The sale of all such substances was immediately recorded, along with the order-maker's web site address, for review by SciQuest. The software not only helped SciQuest cut the order-processing costs by 50%, but also significantly reduced the problems the company faced due to the increasing number of customers. The company now began considering introducing various features in the B2B e-marketplace to provide value-added services to its customers.

One such initiative was the launch of an online auction facility in early 2000. The technology for this purpose was supplied by Lotus Domino¹⁵ and Lotus Notes¹⁶.

The auction facility helped customers to submit bids for used and refurbished laboratory equipment. Using Lotus Notes, SciQuest could send, an e-mail response, confirming receipt of a bid by the customer. Items for bid were posted to the web site with the help of Lotus Domino.

By the end of 2000, SciQuest shifted the auction functions to WebSphere Commerce Suite, since it supported Java and XML¹⁷. Skowron said, "We'll be able to integrate front-end auction transactions with back-end distribution systems."

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15] Lotus Domino offers integrated application services such as security, workflow and content management. Its built-in connection services provide access to leading relational databases, transaction systems and ERP applications.

16] Lotus Notes is an integrated, web-like environment providing quicker access to and better management of many types of information including Domino and Internet-based e-mail, calendar of appointments, personal contacts, web pages, news groups and intranet applications.

17] Extensible Markup Language is a specification developed by the W3C. XML is a pared-down version of SGML, designed especially for Web documents. It allows designers to create their own customized tags, enabling the definition, transmission, validation, and interpretation of data between applications and between organizations.

Case Details

Case Code : ITSY008
Themes: Internet Companies
Case Length : 09 Pages
Period : 1990-2001
Organization : SciQuest.com
Pub Date : 2002
Teaching Note : Available
Countries : USA
Industry : Information Technology (Electronic Commerce)

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