MANUGISTICS, NATIONAL EXCHANGE SEEK LOGISTICS OPTIMIZATION

   Manugistics, the Rockwell, Md.-based supply-chain software company, and the National Transportation Exchange, the U.S. real-time trading exchange for shippers, third party logistics and over-the-road carriers, have signed a partnership agreeement.
    The two organizations will integrate Manugistics’ transportation management and NTE’s Internet-enabled transportation exchange.
Shippers and their trading partners will gain visibility and improved service for all shipments, Manugistics added.
    "By the year 2002, transportation and supply chain services are expected to be 50 percent of a $300 billion business-to-business e-commerce market," said Greg Rocque president of NTE, referring to projections made by IBM Consulting Group.
    NTE said that the e-Business transportation market will be driven by real-time exchanges that extend supply chain capabilities via the Web.