B2B sites for small business are still in their infancy. There's not much 
e-commerce going on, and too few companies are involved to create robust 
communities. But if the future pans out as the sites' owners envision, a 
hypothetical construction-industry exchange would look something like this: 

THE DEVELOPER
Huge Urban Management Co. posts a request for proposals (RFPs) for design of a 
37,000-square-foot office building on a public area of a B2B exchange--let's 
call it DevelopmentNet.com. The request draws seven bids.

THE ARCHITECTS
The winner, Solid Designs, posts blueprints online. Huge Urban reviews the 
plans, marks up desired changes on the digital drawing. Text messages are 
exchanged on DevelopmentNet's electronic bulletin board.

THE CONTRACTOR
Solid Designs solicits bids from general contractors. ABC Builders gets the 
job, then seeks bids from subs such as electricians. They communicate through 
the site, while side conversations take place based on existing relationships.

THE SUPPLIERS
Contractors solicit bids for building materials. Alert suppliers respond and 
purchases are completed online. DevelopmentNet takes commissions. Later, 
contractors and suppliers keep in touch on the exchange's bulletin board.

THE TEAM
ABC Builders, Solid Design, and Huge Urban Management continue to meet online 
to review project changes, solicit new subs, and buy supplies. Web cams at the 
construction site provide updates.