Scientific Marketplace Gathers Momentum

22 November, 2000

Biolab Scientific’s digital marketplace is gathering momentum as both suppliers and customers sign up for the exchange, which is designed to meet the total purchasing needs of scientific, research and health organisations.

The company has also announced a name for the marketplace, it will be called Onezone, the one place, the company says, “where service is a science”.

On the buy-side of the hub, Auckland University and Waikato University have joined another long-time Biolab customer, AgResearch on a pilot version of the marketplace.

Waikato University’s Maintenance & Services Manager, John Cameron, says Waikato’s involvement “strengthens the leadership role the
University has taken in Internet development in New Zealand.”

Waikato started by "championing" an Internet gateway and national hub. More recently the University has developed competencies in e-Commerce and e-Business, including becoming the first New Zealand University to offer a degree in E Commerce

“The Internet Marketplace is an exciting development which promises
to blend simplicity of use with more efficient purchasing processes, both
in terms of costs and delivery speed,” Mr Cameron said. “We are particularly impressed with Biolab's commitment to the use of rapid development methodologies to achieve a fully functional, live, marketplace by early next year.”

Onezone is also making rapid progress on the sell-side. Joining Biolab, office supplier Corporate Express and Computerland are Dick Smith Electronics and OTC.

Biolab Scientific is close to securing a number of other suppliers for the marketplace.

“Interest in this project is very high,” says Onezone Chief Executive Officer, Catherine Calarco. “It helps to have a great track record with Biolab.Direct, our first e-Commerce venture. It also helps to be working with partners with global expertise in making marketplaces happen.”

E-Commerce consultants Arthur Andersen advised on setting up Onezone , which uses an Ariba Marketplace platform hosted by esolutions. The application will run on Microsoft Windows NT4, with an Oracle database and Biztalk messaging.

Construction of the marketplace is well advanced. Biolab is testing systems with clients and suppliers this month before the pilot site is scheduled to go live in February 2001.

- Ends -

For further information, please contact:

Catherine Calarco, General Manager, e-Business Australasia, Biolab Scientific
Phone (09) 980 6741, 029 477 420

Released on behalf of Biolab Scientific by Network Communications - Peter Hallwright. Phone (09) 306 5803, (025) 444 534

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