12/21/98 TABLE: Sizing up the E-Biz Landscape

Return to main story

Sizing up the E-Biz Landscape

COMPANY: AOL/NETSCAPE WHAT THEY OFFER HOW IT STACKS UP CommerceXpert suite of server- The suite is comprehensive, software products, priced from though not easily customized. $75,000 to 250,000, lets a AOL's 14 million customers will company set up shop online and help draw people to the portal. swap information between Sun's distribution of the software employers and suppliers while through its 7,000 salespeople automating business tasks also gives it a broad reach. Still, such as inventory management. Netscape is designed primarily Netcenter business portal to work on Sun's heavy-duty provides a virtual trading arena. Unix software. COMPANY: MICROSOFT WHAT THEY OFFER HOW IT STACKS UP Windows NT-based programs Not as complete an offering as help companies on a range Netscape's, and Unix is seen as of E-commerce fronts, from better able to handle scads of setting up a storefront to transactions. But the thousands running a Web site. They work of Windows developers give with Microsoft Backoffice companies a wide variety of software for heavy-duty jobs software choices and knowhow. and with software from Microsoft's MSN.com portal site 1,300 partners. Costs also gives retailers an outlet range from $25,000 to to bring in customers, though more than $1 million. it trails AOL's reach. COMPANY: IBM WHAT THEY OFFER HOW IT STACKS UP Much like Microsoft, IBM's IBM's software works on a Net.commerce helps companies variety of computers, including set up shop online and handle different flavors of Unix and orders. Software and services Windows NT. Has established can then be added from about clients in many industries. Still, 1,000 IBM partners. Costs run IBM lacks the portal piece to help from $25,000 to $10 million. merchants reach more customers.

Return to main story