Making the world a smaller place

VerticalNet, which operates 56 industry-specific vertical trade communities, will use Uniscape’s globalization infrastructure to create country-specific versions of its portfolio of online vertical trading communities and to globalize its core technology platform for international markets.

The project will include the creation of localized versions of selected online trading communities for VerticalNet's previously announced joint ventures in Europe with British Telecommunications and in Japan with Softbank Commerce, a wholly owned subsidiary of Softbank

When the globalization program is complete, companies in Europe and Asia will be able to access online trade communities, obtain news and information about their industry and communicate with other companies, using a system localized for their native language, culture and business customs. The VerticalNet platform, as globalized by Uniscape, will also provide the capability for ongoing management and localization of content, such as news, storefronts and buyer's guides.