Freightliner teams with Microsoft to develop e-commerce products

PORTLAND, Ore. — Freightliner Corp. and software giant Microsoft Corp. will explore ways to develop products for Internet-based business transactions, or e-commerce, the truck-maker announced.

“Freightliner and Microsoft have begun immediately to identify opportunities, develop a long-term e-commerce strategy, plan applications and select the best technologies to use in their implementation,” explained Freightliner president and CEO Jim Hebe. Freightliner wants to build an e-commerce solution based on Microsoft’s enterprise platform that provides business value to Freightliner and their customers, he added.

Freightliner has had a long-term relationship with Microsoft, including the development of ServicePro, Freightliner’s documentation, diagnostics, parts ordering and repair order preparation system for dealer and customer service bays.

Business-to-business e-commerce transactions will exceed $200 billion US in goods and services by 2002, about eight times more than projected for consumer transactions, Hebe said. “The possibilities of using the interactive nature of the Internet to personalize relationships and provide immediate solutions are only beginning to emerge,” he added. “We intend to be there on the front lines with Microsoft making the most of these opportunities.”