ebuyxpress.com, Leading B2B MRO Procurement Web Site, Cuts Cost of Goods 20% by Eliminating Distribution Layer and Aggregating Millions in Buying Power

Web Marketplace Is Leading End-to-End, Online Order-to-Doorstep Delivery Solution for MRO and Related Goods

DULLES, VA – May 2, 2000 — ebuyxpress.com, Inc., today introduced its online business-to-business marketplace for MRO (maintenance, repair, and operations) goods. Located on the Web at www.ebuyxpress.com, the online marketplace links buyers directly to suppliers in a Web environment that cuts procurement costs as much as 20 percent. ebuyxpress.com achieves the cost reduction by eliminating unnecessary layers of distribution in the supply chain, by leveraging millions of dollars in aggregated buying power to negotiate substantial volume discounts with manufacturers, and by simplifying the MRO ordering, fulfillment, and tracking process. Buyers using the extensive online catalog can select from hundreds of thousands of items.

ebuyxpress.com provides an end-to-end solution from online ordering through doorstep delivery. It replaces traditional paper or fax purchase orders with Web technology, and it assures on-time delivery by backing the online processes with the established, nationwide bricks-and-mortar warehouse systems of master wholesalers and factory direct shippers. In addition, ebuyxpress.com differentiates itself from other online marketplaces through a series of value-added practices and processes that empower buyers with state-of-the-art capabilities. These include the company’s dynamic online e-Frastructure – a fully integrated network that enables real-time transactions with suppliers, and links to the back end ERP systems of buyers. ebuyxpress.com also provides Web-based management tools that help buyers analyze, track and report on procurement statistics and trends. The company also develops customized solutions for buyers ranging from tailored online catalogs to Virtual Private Marketplaces (VPMs). ebuyxpress.com supplier partners represent more than 600 name-brand manufacturers including Sherwin-Williams, Whirlpool, 3M, Rubbermaid, United Stationers and Barnett Brass. Product lines include everything from appliances and building materials, to computers, hardware, electrical, plumbing and landscape supplies, office supplies and telecom equipment and services, among others. (Note to Editors: See complete list on Page 5) The Web site supports businesses ranging from small real estate management firms to multinational conglomerates. ebuyxpress.com is addressing a wide range of vertical markets, beginning with the multi-family housing industry. Other markets targeted include commercial property, retail stores, senior housing, colleges and universities and construction contractors, among others.

Tim Minahan, research director, e-Business practice for the Aberdeen Group, said, “Building efficient e-Markets requires the right technology set, industry domain expertise, and an extensive Ôphysical-world’ infrastructure to effectively manage fulfillment. ebuyxpress delivers these components with a best-of-breed e-Commerce technology platform, market and industry-specific intelligence, and a national MRO distribution network. In conjunction with ebuyxpress’s extensive industry experience, ebuyxpress-powered e-Markets have the potential to dramatically reduce costs and improve productivity for buyers and suppliers in MRO-intensive industries.”

ebuyxpress.com CEO, Chad MacDonald, commented, “At ebuyxpress.com, we are veterans in service and distribution of MRO procurement for a variety of industries. Drawing on that expertise, we’ve built an online solution that brings MRO purchasing into the Internet age. ebuyxpress.com spares organizations the time and expense of a complicated supply-chain rollout, and serves as a single online source where buyers can acquire all of their MRO products directly from suppliers. It’s the win-win supply chain alternative for everyone who deals with MRO goods.”

ebuyxpress.com Key Features and Benefits

Moves paper, fax and EDI purchasing into a user-friendly online marketplace that: directly links buyers and suppliers; improves distribution channel efficiencies; and, dramatically lowers processing expenses and cost of goods.
Aggregated purchasing power combines the purchase volume of all buyers, allowing ebuyxpress.com to negotiate the lowest prices for high quality goods. This provides economies of scale even for small companies, simplifies purchasing and lowers total cost of goods as much as 20 percent.
Eliminates time and expense of a complicated, custom supply-chain rollout.
Intuitive Web-user interface and easy ordering process, combined with online technical information, training and user help reduces the learning curve, and gives purchasing professionals greater control.
Web-based solution offers hundreds of thousands of products 24 x 7, for ordering convenience.
“Just-in-time” direct delivery by established manufacturers and master wholesalers ensures fulfillment while eliminating regional distribution charges.
Customized online catalogs and authorized product lists standardize the buying process across corporations, delivering centralized controls and accountability. This eliminates redundant processes and suppliers, speeds procurement, lowers back office costs and reduces renegade purchasing.
“One-stop shopping” for all facility-related supplies and services boosts productivity and efficiency, eliminates thousands of hours of non-productive administration activity, and reduces purchasing time and staffing requirements.
Free value-added online purchase management tools simplify order tracking and analysis of purchase history and patterns, deliver better data for budget projections and planning, and enhance control over the purchasing process.
ebuyxpress.com custom VPMs promote a company’s brand identity, while ebuyxpress handles all back-end functions and fulfillment.
Cutting-edge technology – featuring XML-based transaction technology that drives the buyer-supplier integration and forms the procurement e-frastructure, proprietary Web-based applications, powerful Oracle database, certified interface with SAP, Peoplesoft, ERP and other legacy systems – ensures easy integration and seamless order entry and processing.
Online Procurement Market Opportunity

ebuyxpress.com is already delivering precisely the level of cutting-edge Internet-based procurement optimization that leading analysts say large corporations must have to compete effectively in the 21st century. The market opportunity is substantial. For example:

Electronic procurement is expected to grow from $187 million in 1998 to $1.7 trillion by 2003, according to Forrester Research.
Analysts estimate that companies can save up to 20% a year on procurement costs by automating their procurement processes using the Internet.
Invoice processing using electronic procurement drops the cost from $107 to $30, according to Aberdeen Group.
How Online Procurement with ebuyxpress.com Works

Many companies do not have the infrastructure, expertise, or budget to put their own Internet-based MRO procurement system in place and successfully move their paper, fax or EDI operations online. They seek both an e-procurement marketplace and a vendor with integrated tech support to implement a solution. ebuyxpress.com provides both the online marketplace and a full range of tech support services.

ebuyxpress.com gives buyer organizations access to a dynamic ordering and fulfillment infrastructure through standard Web browsers, eliminating the need for companies to build or buy a complex procurement Web site of their own. ebuyxpress.com delivers a fully integrated network that enables real-time buyer-seller transactions. An Oracle database engine and sophisticated XML transaction technology drive the Web site and form its technology platform. ebuyxpress.com interfaces with SAP, Peoplesoft, and other ERP legacy systems, making it possible to connect with a company’s existing IT systems and applications. Tech support ranges from assessment and implementation to ongoing operation. A company can access the ebuyxpress.com online Master Catalog, or the solution can be customized in a variety of ways, including: customized catalogs; branding with the company’s logo and identity; and, creation of a VPM (Virtual Private Marketplace) which seamlessly and transparently integrates a custom virtual e-procurement network and catalog into the company’s internal systems.

Once the ebuyxpress.com solution is in place, users are granted password-protected access. Ordering is point-and-click easy, and processing is transparent to users. Each buyer selects products from the online catalog with a variety of billing options, and is charged at contracted corporate rates. To help buyers and procurement managers track purchases, access an online purchase history or analyze purchasing activities, ebuyxpress.com provides a package of dynamic purchase management tools free of charge. On-time, doorstep delivery is ensured by the established fulfillment operations of manufacturers and master wholesalers.

Product types in the ebuyxpress.com Master Catalog include:

Appliances
Building Materials & Supplies
Carpeting
Commercial Flooring
Computers, Supplies & Accessories
Electrical
Hardware/Tools
Landscaping Equipment, Materials & Supplies
Lighting
Materials Handling
Maintenance Supplies & Equipment
Mechanical/HVAC
Office Supplies, Furniture & Equipment
Paint & Paint Sundries
Plumbing
Printing Fulfillment & Supplies
Retail Store Fixtures
Telecom Equipment & Services
About ebuyxpress.com

ebuyxpress.com, Inc. operates a leading online B2B virtual distributorship for MRO (maintenance, repair, and operations) goods. The online marketplace, located at www.ebuyxpress.com, links buyers directly to suppliers in a Web environment that cuts procurement costs as much as 20 percent. ebuyxpress.com achieves the cost reduction by eliminating an unnecessary layer of distribution in the supply chain; by leveraging millions of dollars in aggregated buying power to negotiate substantial volume discounts with manufacturers; and by simplifying the MRO ordering, fulfillment, and tracking process. Buyers using the extensive online catalog can select from hundreds of thousands of items. The company is headquartered in Dulles, VA, and was founded in 1999 by veterans in service, distribution and MRO procurement for a variety of industries. The company has created a leading Web-based, order-to-doorstep delivery MRO solution that utilizes the fulfillment capabilities of established manufacturers and master wholesalers. Value-added services include: a state-of-the-art Web technology e-Frastructure that links buyers’ back end systems directly with suppliers; free online purchase management tools for easy order tracking and purchase analysis; and tailored buying solutions ranging from custom online catalogs to self-branded Virtual Private Marketplaces (VPMs). For more information, contact the company at 877-991-EBUY (3289) or visit www.ebuyxpress.com.