Optus today announced $10 million in new business for its global e-procurement and online auction services. The contracts signed today by Cable and Wireless plc include access to CWO MarketSite, CWO net Auctions and consulting services.

Cable and Wireless plc has committed to use CWO MarketSite for its global e-procurement initiative being rolled out across the UK, USA, Japan and Europe over the next 2.5 years.

The UK is the first phase and transactions are planned to commence in August 2001. Transaction volumes will increase during the roll out and Cable and Wireless plc expects to channel $3 billion per year through the Sydney-based site upon completion.

CWO MarketSite is an online business-to-business e-marketplace developed by Optus in Australia using Commerce One technology. It is estimated that more than 5,000 users will use the Cable and Wireless plc implementation worldwide. Optus will provide consulting and integration services for the global rollout.

Chris Hancock, Managing Director, Data & Business Services, Optus said Australia is ahead of the game in terms of e-marketplaces.

"The fact that an Australian solution was chosen reinforces our leading position," he said.

Optus has recently completed successful e-procurement projects with BankWest, PaperlinX and Curtin University. Experience with live customer deployments was a critical factor in winning the contract.

"Supplier adoption is one of the most difficult parts of implementing e-business. Through successful deployments of CWO MarketSite we have gained valuable skills and unique track record in facilitating online trading," Mr Hancock said.

Optus also announced that Cable and Wireless plc conducted an online auction in Washington DC, USA, for temporary labour using Optus's net Auctions service. Seven employment companies participated in the auction, which resulted in a 19 per cent cost saving of $2 million. Following the success of the auction, Cable and Wireless plc purchased services for 15 additional online auctions, in a deal valued at $300,000.

CWO net Auctions leverages the capability of CWO MarketSite to enable businesses to initiate online auctions without upfront capital investment.

"Companies do not want to invest in auctions, they want to participate in them," Mr Hancock said.

"Optus makes it easy for businesses to participate in online auctions. We train them, host the auction software and if required, do the marketing to attract bidders."

Further information about CWO MarketSite can be found at www.cwomarketsite.com.

For more information:
Melissa Favero
Optus
Phone: 02 9342 5030