VERT Verticalnet (MM)

Verticalnet, Inc. (Nasdaq:VERT), a leading provider of on-demand supply management solutions, today announced that it will host the next in a series of complimentary online seminars. This two-part webinar entitled �Impact Sourcing: Accelerating Value Realization� will examine how Impact Sourcing results in rapid ROI and removes the most common obstacles faced when launching e-Sourcing applications. Verticalnet�s past several online seminars have drawn hundreds of participants and have received strong reviews from attendees regarding relevance and overall event quality. Part one of this two-part online seminar will feature Aberdeen Group's Andrew Bartolini, Research Director of Global Supply Management. Mr. Bartolini will provide insight into the value of finely defining sourcing practices and will present key findings from his recent report "The Advanced Sourcing & Negotiation Benchmark: The Art and Science of the Deal". Verticalnet Account Director Tom Smolko will follow up with a product overview and discuss Verticalnet's innovative solution, Impact Sourcing, which allows companies to realize positive ROI in less than 30 days. In part two of the Impact Sourcing: Accelerating Value Realization series, Rick Odell, Global Commodity Manager of Invensys Process Systems will discuss how Invensys applied Impact Sourcing principles to drive cost reduction while preparing their company for sustained value realization. Following Mr. Odell�s presentation, Verticalnet will demonstrate how Impact Sourcing overcomes the most common barriers to traditional sourcing implementation and user adoption while accelerating savings and spend under management. Impact Sourcing: Accelerating Value Realization Webcast Series The webcast series will be moderated by Jim Wetekamp, Verticalnet's Vice President of Solution Strategy. Part one will take place on Thursday, March 29, 2007 from 11:00 am to Noon EDT, with part two taking place on Thursday, April 5, 2007 from 11:00 am to Noon EDT. �Verticalnet is pleased to host this online seminar series 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." Wetekamp concluded, "With typical attendance numbering in the hundreds, these webinars are a terrific opportunity to gather customer perspectives, benchmark with peers, and leverage the knowledge of market researchers such as Aberdeen Group.� Earlier this month, Verticalnet kicked off its 2007 webinar season by hosting �Driving Sourcing Excellence� which featured John Biggers, VP of Sourcing from Premier, Inc., the 2006 Malcolm Baldrige Award winner. Verticalnet will continue to provide business critical webinars on a monthly basis throughout the year. How to Register To register for either or both of these complimentary webcasts go to: http://www.verticalnet.com/company/news/impactsourcing_avr.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� XE Program Manager-- lowers the total cost of ownership and improves productivity through sound and re-usable program and process management Verticalnet� XE Spend Manager-- a fast, intelligent, and repeatable solution for identifying, evaluating, and quantifying enterprise-wide sourcing opportunities while measuring compliance Verticalnet� XE Negotiation Manager-- accelerates and improves negotiated savings through online auctions and eRFX events Verticalnet� XE 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� XE 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� XE Performance Manager-- enables companies to effectively track and manage supplier performance, contract compliance and identify potential areas of supplier risk Verticalnet� XE 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.