The Global Trading Web Association (GTWA), a membership organisation for electronic marketplaces, today announced at its Annual Business Conference that its membership approved a name change to the Open Network for Commerce Exchange (ONCE). The Association also announced the addition of five new member companies and the appointment of Kerry Lamson to the newly created position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
“Changing the name to ONCE reflects an expanded charter, the diversity of membership, and the continued development of new programs and partnerships,” says Sandy Kemper, current ONCE Chairman and CEO of eScout. “We are also very pleased that Kerry Lamson has accepted the position of CEO and are confident that his dedicated leadership will greatly enhance the association’s growth, global presence and value to our members.”
The name change reflects a broader focus by ONCE to involve all marketplaces and exchanges, both public and private, as well as a related network of customers, suppliers, service providers and technology vendors. The ONCE charter will allow the Association to expand its reach, continuing to build upon the original vision of creating the largest open interoperating network of networks in the world.
Added Kemper, “Although we have changed the name and expanded our charter, the basic premise remains the same and can be expressed by one very simple, but compelling, message: connect once.”
Five new member companies were announced, including Adquira (Spain), BuyForMetals (Belgium), SAP AG (Germany), webMethods and World Wide Wood Network (United States), as well as new partnerships with the Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards (OASIS) and CommerceNet, two international organisations also focused on electronic commerce. ONCE will work with OASIS to test their newly-defined XML messaging specifications and with CommerceNet on a universal catalogue program in cooperation with Stanford University.
“Expanding their focus is a perfect response to today’s changing e-Commerce market requirements,” said Lauren Jones-Shu, a research analyst with Gartner 2. “The individual success of many of its members during difficult economic times clearly indicates that ONCE provides value to its membership and to the industry as a whole.”
“What makes ONCE unique compared to other industry groups is that it is an organisation of e-Commerce practitioners,” said Lamson. “Our members do not just talk about e-Commerce, they live it! And living it yields a wealth of experience and new business opportunities when shared across the membership.”