By Kate Hanaghan, 2 May 2001 17:05
NEWS The deal will see IBM deliver its procurement services on Ariba's B2B commerce platform. Customers will be able to use IBM-customised catalogs and pricing for indirect goods. These services will be available through Ariba's web-based platform. However, Ariba is under enormous pressure after disastrous quarterly results and the failure of its proposed £2.55bn acquisition of Agile. This has kicked into motion the rumour mill and led some analysts to conclude that Ariba is about to be bought by a stronger player. AMR Research has suggested that IBM, Manugistics and even CRM company Siebel are likely contenders. But Greg Owens, CEO of Manugistics, told silicon.com that this is an "empty rumour". Owens denied that his company is interested in the sale. The supply chain management company, which grew 100 per cent in 2000, believes that direct procurement - something Ariba doesn't offer - is the only way forward. Other analysts have suggested that Ariba is too big a fish for Siebel and too far removed from its core CRM business. Today, Siebel said it could not comment on speculation. But Ariba is not the only B2B company which might have to put itself through the sale process to survive. Manugistics claims it's being approached by 10 to 15 B2B companies a week, asking to be bought. However, in the current climate, Manugistics is applying a wait-and-see tactic. With the value of such companies, including Ariba, dropping like stones, the B2B bargain basement is increasingly filling up.
In order to post a comment you need to be registered and logged in.
Log in or create your silicon.com account below