<B>E-Commerce Web Sites Add Services</B>

PaperExchange and Forestweb, two Internet-based sites dedicated to the paper industry, are both launching new features that they hope will drive businesses to use their services.

PaperExchange announced its launch of PEx ProcurementManager, a new online procurement management solution for buyers of pulp and paper. PEx ProcurementManager streamlines all aspects of the procurement process, from the contract negotiation stage, through ordering and tracking and ultimately to electronic funds transfer.

It features four distinct components, including:

1) An online order pad that facilitates order entry and real-time order status inquiry via a standardized toolkit. This eliminates several manual steps, including repeated faxing of purchase orders, acknowledgements and invoices.

2) An online negotiation tool that includes features for enabling buyers to distribute quotation requests to preferred suppliers.

3) The management of contracts and order settlement.

4) Integration of buyers' and sellers' computer systems to eliminate several manual procurement steps.

Other benefits of PEx ProcurementManager include:

More accurate and timely information on prices and terms

Faster, clearer negotiations

Ability to buy from selected trading partners

Online order releases

Improved order accuracy

Real-time tracking and reporting

ForestExpress has chosen Corio, Inc. to provide e-Business capabilities and hosting services over a secure network.

Corio is the final addition to the list of ForestExpress' infrastructure solutions providers: Commerce One and SAPMarkets, webMethods, and Moai Technologies are the other providers of technology for the company.

Bob Renner, chief technology officer of ForestExpress, said, ``With Corio's application expertise and the neutrality they offer as an ASP, ForestExpress can focus on operational excellence and our strategic product offerings to effectively deploy our e-commerce marketplace with efficiency and with a superior security system for the benefit of ForestExpress customers.''