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Manugistics’ new WebConnect Integrate High Volume solution enables integration of supply information from internal and external sources. The tool, powered by a data server from Acta, provides analysis of batch and real-time supply, demand, customer and market data. www.manugistics.com

Rover ups euro ante

Rover will begin talks with its 80 main suppliers in a continuing move towards invoicing in euros and it expects to be operating in euros by early next year, writes David Arminas.

Covisint may expand

Online automotive exchange Covisint could branch out to cater for other areas including farming, heavy equipment, marine, trucking and motorcycles.

Ford to use Biztalk

Automotive firm Ford is to launch the biggest implementation yet of Microsoft’s Biztalk Server 2000, which comprises e-business standards XML and Simple Object Access Protocol (Soap), on its e-hub portal. www.microsoft.com

Hotel voice service

Online travel site lastminute.com and Nortel have launched what they believe to be the first voice recognition service to manage hotel supply inventories and room bookings. Those responsible for purchasing at hotels can directly update their inventory by dialling an automated phone service.

E-commerce research

The Department of Trade and Industry has launched research projects at Paisley, York, UMIST and Manchester universities to develop electronic solutions to boost confidence in e-commerce and tackle fraud. The initiatives include Fair Integrated Data Exchange Services, a project to design and implement secure e-procurement information exchange systems over the Internet.

Research instituted

A northern aerospace research institute is to be created by three universities and the North West Aerospace Alliance, a supplier group. The Northern Technology and Knowledge Exploitation Centre will use equipment at the University of Manchester, University of Sheffield and the Materials Science Centre at UMIST in Manchester.

Prestige Purchasing

Money for something

Paying consultants on a success-fee basis for e-procurement projects benefits them and the buyer, argues Gordon Parker

Best value reviewed

The Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions has begun a three-month review of best practice in local government. The aim is to reduce bureaucracy and ensure that “best value is neutral as to whether services are best provided by the public, private or voluntary sectors”, according to Stephen Byers, secretary of state.