Idaho Power Implements E-Commerce Solution From Commerce One And MCI Systemhouse To Improve Cost Efficiency Leadership
Internet Procurement Automation to reduce Leading
Utility's Purchasing Costs, Improve Inventory Control
ATLANTA and WALNUT CREEK, CALIF., March 16, 1999 -
MCI Systemhouse, MCI WorldCom's (NASDAQ: WCOM) global information
technology company, and Commerce One, a global leader in web-based
electronic procurement solutions, have teamed to provide an Internet
Procurement Automation (IPA) solution that will enable Idaho Power Co.
to more efficiently and cost effectively manage the purchase and
inventorying of office supplies and other commodities.
As part of the Idaho Power installation, MCI Systemhouse will
integrate the Commerce Chain Solution by Commerce One with Boise-based
Idaho Power's Indus PassPort ERP system to create an IPA solution
that links the utility's approximately 1,700 buyers with its
suppliers. The IPA solution will enable the electric utility to reduce
purchasing costs, reduce rogue purchasing, decrease required inventory
levels and minimize required inventory levels, giving procurement
specialists the ability to focus on negotiating better contract pricing
and service levels with vendors.
The IPA solution suite from Commerce One and MCI Systemhouse
combines Commerce One's Commerce Chain Solution and MCI
Systemhouse's systems integration and Network Enterprise expertise.
The Commerce Chain Solution is comprised of Commerce One BuySite, an
intranet application that automates the internal procurement process
from requisition to order, and Commerce One MarketSite, a commerce
portal that automates buyers' interactions with their suppliers,
including purchase order transmission, status checks and payments.
"We needed an easy to use, scaleable purchasing solution that
would enable us to link directly with our suppliers," said Deb
Kunkler, Idaho Power's manager of procurement."The Commerce
One solution was the only one that met all of our criteria. The ability
to verify product availability is just as important as obtaining the
best price for the items," she continued. "MCI Systemhouse
was instrumental in bringing together a Commerce One solution that
enables us to check availability and conduct comparative
shopping."
Idaho Power has been recognized as an industry leader in its efforts
to maximize operational and purchasing efficiencies. A leading utility
industry publication has cited Idaho Power as the most-efficient
electric utility in the U.S. The deployment of a fully integrated
e-procurement solution is another development that reflects Idaho
Power's commitment in this area.
"Idaho Power sought a company that could deliver key systems
integration, as well as application and systems management services for
its procurement organization and its suppliers," said Colin
Dalzell, vice president of MCI Systemhouse's Electronic Commerce
Practice. "MCI Systemhouse, with Commerce One, has the resources
and experience to deliver a true, extended-enterprise solution that
streamlines all purchasing activities."
"Idaho Power's selection of the Commerce Chain solution
validates our long-standing assertion that businesses need a
fully-integrated solution that dynamically links buyers to
suppliers," said Mark Hoffman, Commerce One's president and
CEO of Commerce One. "The cost savings and increased operational
efficiencies provided by the Commerce Chain Solution will help Idaho
Power to stay competitive in the new millennium.
"This implementation is the latest in a successful series of
joint Commerce One and MCI Systemhouse IPA implementations," he
said. "Together, the companies provide a tangible, ready-to-roll
solution that enables businesses to quickly conduct e-commerce with
other businesses and suppliers."
About Idaho Power
Idaho Power Co., established in 1916, is an investor-owned utility
serving 373,000 customers in a three-state territory that includes
southern Idaho, eastern Oregon and northern Nevada. It owns 17
hydroelectric projects on the Snake River and its tributaries, and is
part owner of three thermal generation facilities located in Wyoming,
Nevada and Oregon.
About Commerce One
Commerce One is the global leader in providing web-based, enterprise
procurement solutions that dynamically link buying and supplying
organizations into real-time trading communities. The Commerce Chain
Solution by Commerce One enables companies to significantly reduce
operational costs and increase efficiency by automating the entire
indirect goods and services supply chain. As a result, enterprise
organizations are able to realize a strategic competitive advantage as
well as a rapid return on investment. The Commerce Chain solution
includes Commerce One BuySite, which automates the internal procurement
process from requisition to order, and Commerce One MarketSite, which
automates supplier interactions from order to payment.
Commerce One headquarters are located in Walnut Creek, Calif., and
can be reached by phone at (800) 308-3838 or (925) 941-6000, or via the
Internet at
www.commerceone.com
/.
About MCI Systemhouse
MCI Systemhouse, The Network Enterprise CompanySM, is MCI
WorldCom's global information technology services company. MCI
Systemhouse is one of the industry's only single-source providers
of convergence products and services that leverage the combined
telecommunications expertise of MCI WorldCom and the computer expertise
of MCI Systemhouse to enable businesses' total networking,
communications, consulting and outsourcing needs. The company has 120
offices and approximately 9,400 professionals worldwide. With a
comprehensive suite of network enabled IT solutions and services for
the new millennium, MCI Systemhouse serves major corporate, mid-sized
and public sector clients throughout North and South America, Europe
and Asia.
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EDITOR'S NOTE: For more information about MCI Systemhouse, visit
the MCI Systemhouse website at
www.systemhouse.mci.com
or call 800-234-4586.
Commerce One, Commerce Chain, BuySite and MarketSite are either
trademarks or registered trademarks of Commerce One. Other product and
company names mentioned herein are for reference only and may be the
trademarks of their respective owners.
