Comprehensive Solutions Key to Success in eMarketplace Services Market, IDC Says.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass., April 30 /PRNewswire/ --

Competition in the emarketplace services market is getting tougher. Not only are customer expectations increasing, so too is the variety of companies vying for the market's revenues. According to IDC, to survive in this market, emarketplace service providers must be able to provide comprehensive solutions.

"It's no longer acceptable to simply build an emarketplace that matches buyers and sellers or that has a simple interface that requires manual entry of all information. Value-added services and integrated systems are fast becoming the norm," said Leo Lipis, Ph.D., senior research analyst for IDC's Supply Chain Services research. "For emarketplaces and emarketplace service firms, the ability to provide these types of services is not a method to increase competitive advantage, it's the minimum to remain competitive in this crowded market."

According to IDC, the rapid growth of the market and the increasing complexity of projects have created opportunities for all types of players. Vendors with backgrounds in system integration, software and hardware, electronic data interchange, and management consulting are all competing in the emarketplace services market. To ensure their offerings cover the spectrum of services needed, all emarketplace services firms are partnering with service providers from different backgrounds.

While many emarketplace service firms are well positioned to help implement an emarketplace, they are just now beginning to expand their skills to maintain and manage the emarketplace once it's established - and for good reason. A recent IDC survey of 16 emarketplace services firms revealed that revenue derived from operational services for emarketplaces is growing more quickly than that from implementation services.

The survey also revealed that emarketplace service firms recognize they will have to look toward markets outside North America to grow their revenues. Respondents said they expect a 19-24% revenue increase from Europe and 6-9% increase from Asia/Pacific.

"Future leaders in the emarketplace service market will have to provide a wide array of technical, operational, and industry-specific expertise to North American, European, and Asian customers," Lipis said.

IDC's new report, eMarketplace Services Leadership Study: A Competitive Segmentation and Analysis (IDC #B24221), presents more findings from IDC's survey. It also examines emarketplace service firms from different backgrounds, including system integration, IT products, electronic data interchange, Internet services, and management consulting. Additionally, the report profiles the following vendors: Accenture (formerly known as Andersen Consulting), Cap Gemini Ernst & Young, Commerce One, Computer Sciences Corporation, Deloitte Consulting, Electronic Data Systems, Hewlett-Packard, IBM Global Services, Inforte, Lante, Metiom, NerveWire, Oracle, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Proxicom, and Sterling Commerce.

To purchase this report, contact Jim Nagle at 1-800-343-4952, extension 4549, or at jnagle@idc.com.

For more information on IDC's eMarketplace Services program, please contact Jill Toole at jtoole@idc.com.

About IDC

IDC is the foremost global market intelligence and advisory firm helping clients gain insight into technology and ebusiness trends to develop sound business strategies. Using a combination of rigorous primary research, in- depth analysis, and client interaction, IDC forecasts worldwide markets and trends to deliver dependable service and client advice. More than 700 analysts in 43 countries provide global research with local content. IDC's customers comprise the world's leading IT suppliers, IT organizations, ebusiness companies and the financial community. Additional information can be found at www.idc.com.

IDC is a division of IDG, the world's leading IT media, research and exposition company.

All product and company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

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