30 November 2004 — In a bid to build upon its existing foothold and increase opportunities in the Russian market, GXS today announced it is looking for local players to join its Partner Grid programme. GXS launched the Partner Grid programme to enhance opportunities for its customers and to extend the value of its e-commerce integration platform, Trading Grid. New partners across Russia would join a wealth of global players including Bar Code Solutions, 7th Online, Edisoft, EPC Solutions, Hitachi Systems and Services, Matrics, PureEdge Solutions, TradeBeam and Verisign.

By working with GXS, Russian partners will benefit from:

• Expanded Business Opportunities – GXS’ global distribution channel and customer roster of over 30,000 companies offer real opportunities to Partner Grid companies. GXS will package its partner’s solutions within their portfolio and market these joint solutions appropriately through their global sales channels and customer base.
• Increased Market Exposure – Joining Partner Grid allows companies to package their solutions with GXS’ industry leading supply chain solutions or leverage the GXS global channel to reach an established global community.
• Joint Strategic Sales and Co-Marketing Programs – Companies that join GXS’ Partner Grid program have access to partner-centric marketing support. Depending on the partner’s commitment to the program, Partner Grid offers dedicated channel management, sales training and, collateral and product workshops. In addition, GXS works with its technology and strategic partners to develop integrated marketing communications plans designed to maximise the business opportunity.

Through the programme, GXS is partnering with the world’s leading technology specialists to provide customers with software, hardware, and consulting and implementation services that complement Trading Grid’s capabilities. GXS is hoping to recruit Russian partners that fall into one of three distinct categories:

• Strategic Partners – Includes leading technology, consulting and system integrators that bring unparalleled depth to solutions across multiple industries and multiple technologies.
• Technology Partners – Includes leading hardware and software technology providers that work with GXS to develop and deliver value-added business solutions for GXS customers.
• Solutions Partners – Includes referral agents and resellers for service and software solutions to create the highest quality distribution channels to serve GXS’ global customers.

“GXS has recently established relationships with ECR-Rus and Uniscan. Throughout this period, we’ve seen the potential for the Russian market grow exponentially,” said Bobby Patrick, senior vice of marketing at GXS. “By joining our Partner Grid and contributing to extending the capabilities of Trading Grid, we will be able to jointly deliver new solutions that benefit the global supply chain - putting our partners well and truly on the map.”

Partner Grid References
Partner Grid technology partner, TradeBeam, provides supply chain applications to help companies automate the management of global procurement. “Joining GXS’ Partner Grid program not only expands our channel for sales and product distribution, but it also allows us to work with one of the leading collaboration and supply chain vendors in the market today. GXS raises the bar for the industry in terms of global reach, support and partnership benefits,” said Duncan Jackson, vice president of marketing at TradeBeam.

Partner Grid program also plays a pivotal role in helping GXS serve large and small customers jointly and distinctly. The program includes establishing a network of small and medium-size business solution partners. These partners receive GXS sales training, collateral and marketing support to bring GXS solutions to their customers. Several businesses have joined Partner Grid solutions program including 123 EDI, Creative Data Research, Data Communication Solutions, EDI Options and SWK Technologies.

“We joined GXS’ Partner Grid program so that we could have a solution to our customers supply chain automation needs,” Jeff Roth, CEO of SWK Technologies. “We selected GXS for its proven supply chain solutions, global presence and commitment to respond to our business needs.” SWK provides integration solutions to accountancy packages and is part of the Trey Resources portfolio of technology companies.

About GXS Trading Grid
GXS Trading Grid® is a globally-accessible, real-time platform for business process networking. Trading Grid helps customers automate global trading communities by shielding complexity from rapidly-changing standards, eliminating manual and duplicative efforts, and enabling a new level of process integration and business intelligence. Through direct integration with GXS’ Trading Grid, both large and small customers can extend existing ERP investments and cost-effectively achieve new levels of collaboration and business success.

About GXS
GXS is a leading global provider of B2B e-commerce solutions that simplify and enhance business process integration and collaboration. Organisations worldwide, including more than 75 percent of the Fortune 500, leverage GXS Trading Grid® to achieve balance between supply and demand. Active in the global standards arena, GXS solutions enable customers both large and small, to connect with global partners, synchronise product information, optimise inventory levels and demand forecasts, and accelerate the execution of supply chains.

Headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md., GXS provides sales and support to businesses and their partners worldwide. For more information about GXS visit www.gxs.co.uk.