Ibm Takes Equity Position In Two B-To-B Internet Marketers - Company Business and Marketing - Brief Article

EDP Weekly's IT Monitor, March 13, 2000

In what was internally described as a strategic alliance, but more closely resembles strong equity participation, IBM invested $600 million in the alliance will facilitate B-to-B use of the Internet as a means of connecting vendors and manufacturers. Both of the companies in which IBM has invested are specialists in the Internet marketplaces. The deal is reported to involve a $400 million investment in Ariba, Inc. and a $200 million investment in i2 Technologies, Inc.

Combining the marketing strength of IBM to the Web sophistication of the two companies, evidences IBM's intention to achieve momentum in the business-to-business marketplace.