VERTD Verticalnet (MM)

Verticalnet, Inc. (Nasdaq:VERTD), a leading provider of on-demand supply management solutions, today announced that it will host the next in a series of complimentary online seminars focused on "Achieving Real Life Success With Practical Applications on Global Sourcing". To date over 150 individual participants have registered for the event representing a broad mix of global and mid-market customers across the US, Europe, and Asia. Verticalnet's past several on-line seminars have drawn hundreds of participants and have received strong reviews from attendees regarding relevance and overall event quality. Global Sourcing has never been more crucial to business success than it is today. Low cost country sources can offer substantially more reduced-cost products than more established regions. However, with these benefits, procurement professionals are forced to deal with new challenges including complicated transportation issues and long-distance supplier relationships with a focus on total cost management. This 60 minute online seminar, which will feature The Aberdeen Group's findings as well as a case study from a prominent global chemicals customer, is designed to provide sourcing professionals and executives operating in mid to large enterprises with insight into recent research, perspectives from experts, and practical lessons from current practitioners. Topics to be discussed include the keys to a successful global direct materials sourcing project, the importance of collaboration, teamwork, and visibility to the process, concluding with practical recommendations companies can use to execute globally effectively. Practical Approaches to Global Sourcing Webcast The webcast will be moderated by Jim Wetekamp, Verticalnet's Vice President of Solution Strategy, and is scheduled for Wednesday June 28, 2006 from 11:00 am to Noon EDT. The webcast will begin with an overview from an industry leading customer who will discuss specific category examples of a successful global sourcing project including project scope, methodology, results, and lessons learned. Following the customer review, Sudy Bharadwaj - Vice President of Global Supply Management for the Aberdeen Group, will give market insight on how companies are using process and collaboration to manage the global sourcing of direct materials. Download a complimentary copy of Aberdeen's "The Direct Materials Sourcing Benchmark Report" (sponsored by Verticalnet) to learn more about how companies are approaching the direct materials sourcing challenges. "Verticalnet is pleased to host this online seminar that blends market perspectives with actual customer results," said Wetekamp. "Feedback from past online seminars has indicated that attendees receive tremendous value from hearing peers relate their supply management experiences. With typical attendance numbering in the hundreds." Wetekamp concludes, "These webcasts are a terrific opportunity to gather customer perspectives, benchmark with peers, and leverage the knowledge of market researchers such as Aberdeen Group." How to Register To register for this complimentary Webcast scheduled for Wednesday June 28, 2006 from 11:00 am to Noon EDT go to: http://www.verticalnet.com/company/news/global_sourcing.asp Interested members of the media are encouraged to attend the Webcast series to gain an insight into this topic of high interest. The Verticalnet XE Supply Management suite is available on-demand and includes: -- Verticalnet(R) Program Manager -- lowers the total cost of ownership and improves productivity through sound and re-usable program and process management -- Verticalnet(R) Spend Manager -- a fast, intelligent, and repeatable solution for identifying, evaluating, and quantifying enterprise-wide sourcing opportunities while measuring compliance -- Verticalnet(R) Negotiation Manager -- accelerates and improves negotiated savings through online auctions and eRFX events -- Verticalnet(R) Procurement Manager -- simplifies and improves control over the procurement process to help companies realize the maximum cost savings identified through supplier sourcing and negotiation -- Verticalnet(R) Contract Manager -- provides real-time insights into contract obligations, exposures, expirations, changes and renewals delivering greater control, reducing costly oversights and minimizing supplier risk -- Verticalnet(R) Performance Manager -- enables companies to effectively track and manage supplier performance, contract compliance and identify potential areas of supplier risk -- Verticalnet(R) Collaborative Solutions -- enables companies to apply innovative negotiation techniques, flexible optimization scenarios, and bid collection approaches to drive the highest possible savings across large complex categories including transportation, packaging, and MRO. About Verticalnet Verticalnet is a leading provider of supply management solutions that enable companies to identify and realize sustained value across the supply management lifecycle. Going beyond traditional spend management and sourcing approaches, Verticalnet's solutions provide the visibility, insight and process control required to maximize the sustained value realization from supply management. Large enough to help customers attain supply management success worldwide, yet nimble enough to provide individual attention and remain focused on customer priorities, Verticalnet is helping leading Global 2000 companies and mid-market enterprises move their supply management efforts to the next level through an optimal blend of software, comprehensive services, and deep category knowledge and domain expertise. To learn more, please visit us at www.verticalnet.com.