Chemicals Manufacturer Adopts Verticalnet XE Supply Management Solutions; Global Manufacturer Follows Successful Pilot Project with Worldwide Rollout

Verticalnet, Inc., a leading provider of supply management solutions, announced that a FORTUNE 1000(TM) global chemicals manufacturer has signed a long-term subscription to the Verticalnet XE Negotiation Manager module to automate its sourcing processes.

The manufacturer, which piloted the Verticalnet eSourcing solution in 2004 and achieved significant savings, is now rolling out the Verticalnet XE platform globally. The customer, with the support of its global management consulting partner Pittiglio Rabin Todd & McGrath (PRTM), will use the Verticalnet XE Negotiation Manager module to automate its sourcing process to generate sustainable bottom line savings. They have also signed a short term subscription to the Verticalnet XE Spend Manager module to perform spend analysis across business units and identify opportunities to achieve enterprise sourcing leverage. In addition, the customer has engaged Verticalnet to provide value-added consulting and professional services to assist the customer with implementation, spend data classification and normalization, and training.

“Verticalnet’s on-demand solutions will allow our client to get a rapid start on the project, and its spend analysis expertise will be critical to conducting a global spend analysis quickly and accurately,” said Bob Bruning, a Principal with PRTM’s Operations Excellence group. “During the pilot, Verticalnet’s eSourcing software demonstrated that it is easy to use, adapts to our sourcing methodology, and the results speak for themselves.”

Brent W. Habig, Verticalnet’s EVP of Sales and Consulting, said, “Leading mid-sized corporations are learning that they can match the supply management capabilities of much larger companies by subscribing to the Verticalnet XE suite of on-demand solutions. Our solutions enable them to access leading edge functionality through a subscription model, lowering their costs and project risk. We look forward to working with them to build on their early strategic sourcing successes.”

About Verticalnet

Verticalnet is a leading provider of 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 has helped numerous Global 2000 companies take their supply management efforts to the next level through an optimal blend of software, comprehensive services, and deep category knowledge and domain expertise. To learn more, please visit us at www.verticalnet.com .

About PRTM

PRTM ( www.prtm.com ) works closely with leading companies worldwide to achieve breakthrough business results–fast. Since 1976, we’ve delivered measurable value to our clients, earning one of the highest levels of repeat business in the management consulting industry. PRTM is also a recognized thought leader and innovator. There are 14 PRTM offices and more than 400 consultants in the U.S., Europe, and Asia.

Verticalnet is a registered trademark or a trademark in the United States and other countries of Vert Tech LLC.