R.R. Bowker and GXS Partner on Next Generation of Pubnet Service
GXS` EC Service Center(SM) Continues to Provide Underlying Transaction Network for Leading Book Industry E-Commerce Service
NEW PROVIDENCE, N.J. & GAITHERSBURG, Md.--April 7, 2003-- R.R. Bowker, one of the world`s leading publishers of bibliographic information, and Global eXchange Services, Inc. (GXS) today announced that they have put in place a new multi-year partnership agreement to develop and operate the next generation of Pubnet, the publishing industry`s core electronic commerce service.
GXS will provide the underlying application infrastructure and communications network for Pubnet, with GXS and Bowker working together to significantly enhance Pubnet to incorporate rapid response, order and fulfillment visibility, and expansion to general merchandise transactions.
Using its EC Service Center(SM), GXS hosts and manages e-commerce transactions for the Pubnet service, including the ability to transform data among many formats such as Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), XML and EDIFACT.
Pubnet users exchange over 2 million transactions each year, with one-stop access for the more than 2,500 booksellers worldwide ordering over 1 million titles directly from more than 100 publishers and wholesalers, representing more than 4,000 imprints. R.R. Bowker, which previously held a 25 percent stake in Pubnet, recently acquired the remaining 75 percent of the electronic commerce service.
"During 2003, we will incorporate enhancements to Pubnet that will improve its functionality and deliver better value for our customers without adding cost. We also expect to offer creative and value-driven pricing options compatible with our customers` requirements. Our relationship with GXS is a part of this plan," said Michael Cairns, president of New Providence, N.J.-based R.R. Bowker. "GXS` expertise in transaction services takes the worry out of our role of managing the service and allows us to focus on what we do best - serving and supporting our customers. Based on extensive interviews with many Pubnet users, these enhancements will add tremendous value over and above the benefits already being received today by publishers, booksellers and wholesalers using Pubnet."
Thomson Learning, a part of the Thomson Corporation, has been a charter member of Pubnet since 1987. "This service handles roughly ten percent of all orders coming into our company and is a primary channel through which we communicate to nearly all of our customers," said Michael Imhoff, director of eCommerce Systems at Thomson Learning. "GXS provides the infrastructure for Pubnet to serve as the central communications point for the publishing industry, which is a tremendous value. Our industry is now well positioned to implement advanced supply chain management processes."
"Fulfilling timely orders and maintaining customer loyalty are the cornerstones of success in the business of publishing and selling books. GXS realized this when it created Pubnet in 1987 as a pioneering, easy-to-use EDI-based book-ordering service," said Steven Scala, senior vice president of marketing for GXS. "We are excited to continue our work with R.R. Bowker to help grow Pubnet with outsourced transaction services from GXS."
About R.R. Bowker
Founded in 1872, R.R. Bowker is North America`s leading provider of bibliographic information, and is also the official agency for assigning ISBNs in the United States. The company`s flagship product, Books In Print(R), is available on the Internet at www.booksinprint.com, on CD-ROM and in hardbound print format. For more information, please visit www.bowker.com.
About Global eXchange Services
Global eXchange Services, Inc. (GXS) operates one of the largest B2B e-commerce networks in the world, with more than 100,000 trading partners. The network`s 1 billion annual transactions account for $500 billion in goods and services. With more than 35 years experience, GXS provides supply chain services and software to 60 percent of Fortune 500 companies.
GXS is headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md. Call (800) 560-4347 or visit our Web site at www.gxs.com.
Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This document includes certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management`s current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from these expectations due to changes in global political, economic, business, competitive, market and regulatory factors. These factors include technological developments, customer demand, trading partner participation and network availability.
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Contact:
Eric McErlain
Global eXchange Services, Inc.
(301) 340-4644
eric.mcerlain@gxs.com
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