Vertac to create online marketplace for B2B trade publisher, Edgell Communications

BOSTON, Mass. – February 9, 2001 – Vertac Corporation (www.vertac.com), a marketplace service provider (MSP), today announced a partnership with business-to-business trade publisher Edgell Communications (www.edgellcommunications.com). In addition to producing numerous information technology conferences, Edgell publishes nine magazines (including RIS News, Consumer Goods Technology, Hospitality Technology, Retail Systems Reseller and Kiosk Business for information technology markets), along with original research, industry-specific buying guides and other targeted-content supplements.

Vertac is building an online marketplace for Edgell Communications that includes a sophisticated Request for Proposal (RFP) Engine. The RFP Engine facilitates transactions between a companys buyers and suppliers, and it will be seamlessly integrated into Edgells RIS News website. The RIS News marketplace is powered by Vertacs flagship product, Marketspeed Solution. Marketspeed gives publishers, tradeshow producers and portals the benefits of having a custom-built and integrated marketplace without needing to utilize their internal resources and capital. Marketplaces are created, hosted and managed by Vertac and are up and running within days.

An online marketplace from Vertac enables our partners buyer and supplier audiences to develop the working business relationships that ultimately lead to a successful sale," said Jamie Moore, Vertacs founder and CEO. We take the approach that an online presence is a logical and intelligent extension of our partners business initiatives and work closely with each company to develop customized marketplaces that reflect their unique personality and mission. Vertac is thrilled to help Edgell address their target audiences through the use of efficient technology."

Gerald C. Ryerson, President of Edgell Communications, said, Vertacs technology has provided us with a powerful extension of our business model. By providing our buyers and suppliers with an online marketplace, we have streamlined and simplified the purchasing process. This is a natural extension of traditional offline methods. Vertac goes above and beyond traditional Web creation services and provides us with statistical analysis on buyer and supplier activity, monthly commission reports and operational support. We are confident that Vertacs Marketspeed Solution will help Edgell generate additional revenues and increased loyalty from our target audiences."

ABOUT VERTAC
Founded in 1999, Boston, Mass.-based Vertac Corporation (www.vertac.com), is a marketplace service provider (MSP) for publishers, tradeshow producers and portals, powered by the Marketspeed Solution software suite. Marketspeeds technology includes a request-for-proposal (RFP) engine designed to facilitate relationships between buyers and suppliers. Vertac builds and manages every aspect of the marketplace and assists with e-commerce strategies, business development and market expansion.

ABOUT EDGELL COMMUNICATIONS
Edgell Communications (www.edgellcommunications.com), based in Randolph, New Jersey, is a leading publisher of business-to-business trade magazines. The company helps readers define and develop technology strategies to become more competitive in their industries and enables advertisers to build brand awareness and preference in the marketplace by communicating their message to qualified, targeted readers through magazine and Website advertising, original research studies, conferences and other special events. In addition to its technology magazines, Edgell also publishes four merchandising trade magazines: Selling Christmas Decorations, Commercial Christmas Décor, Selling Halloween and Greetings etc.

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