SAN MATEO (07/20/2000) - KPMG Consulting Inc., a provider of Internet integration services, and STC announced an alliance to offer a joint solution to health care organizations for compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). All health care organizations must comply with HIPAA regulations in their business processes and when setting up computer systems. STC offers software that provides a platform for transactions that comply with HIPAA regulations, officials said. KPMG will offer its R2i application for industry-specific customizations, project management, and preconfigured infrastructure. Additionally, KPMG brings its e-learning applications -- which include Web-based training portals offering classes that educate employees about HIPAA regulations -- to the alliance. KPMG has also teamed with Cisco Systems to develop e-business software geared to health care organizations that must operate under HIPAA guidelines.
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. announced that it will use Emptoris Inc.'s ePASS application as its procurement tool for Samsung's online initiatives. Samsung will use ePASS to facilitate and automate the decision-making process for commodity traders, Samsung representatives said. The move is part of Samsung's efforts to move more of the company's trading activities in chemical, metal, natural resources, and textiles online. Samsung will employ ePASS for customizable business rules, workflow, and decision-support technology to carry out exchange processes digitally in Samsung's vertical marketplaces.
Syncra Systems Inc. has been selected by the WorldWide Retail Exchange to provide supply-chain collaboration solutions for its global business-to-business exchange. To deliver core functionality to the WorldWide Retail Exchange, Syncra will work with IBM Corp., I2 Technologies Inc., and Ariba Inc., Syncra officials said. IBM will provide system integration and host the exchange, which will be powered by Ariba and i2 applications. The partnership is expected to reduce inventories and improve service levels for both retailer and supplier participants, Syncra officials said. Syncra's applications are designed to support data flow between multiple parties, which is critical to facilitate the buyer and supplier relationships on the WorldWide Retail Exchange. Other partners in the exchange that will offer software solutions include viaLink, QRS, and Retek. The exchange is made up of 100,000 retailers and suppliers from Asia, Europe, and the United States.