CLOVERDALE, CA - June 11, 2002 - The recession in 2001 and the after effects of Sept. 11 combined to slow growth in the B2B e-commerce marketplace. With business grappling with uncertainties about the economy, companies have become increasingly cost-focused. The last quarter of 2001 and the first nine months of 2002 will be the time-periods most affected. Consequently, a downward correction will be experienced in the short-term forecast growth of the worldwide B2B market. 

From 2000 through 2004, the B2B market will increase from $350-bil to $2,276-bil for an annual growth rate of approximately 60%. Slowdowns in 2001 and 2002 will result in annual growth rates of approximately 50% for those years.

Starting in the second half of 2002, several factors will help set the B2B market back on track. B2B is both revenue- and cost-focused. B2B revenues will benefit from the improving world economy by yearend. In addition, B2B has always been part of a long-term strategy to increase efficiency and reduce costs. That strategy still remains the centerpiece of corporate buying and selling.