The company also unveiled its e-business solutions for the Indian market: PECOS Internet Procurement Manager (PECOS.ipm) and PECOS Internet Exchange Manager (PECOS.iem). Both the solutions are remotely hosted and Internet browser-based, thereby potentially saving companies investment costs in terms of IT infrastructure and resources, said Mr Michael Templeman, managing director, international, Elcom Systems Limited. e-marketplaces are changing the dynamics of business and trade worldwide. They benefit both buyers and suppliers and the numbers of e-marketplaces are rapidly increasing across the globe. Mr Templeman said, "as the Internet infrastructure grows in India, we see many businesses and trade associations setting up their own exchanges.

As our solution requires only an Internet browser and virtually no other IT resources, we expect Elcom to spearhead growth in this sector." Mr Sunil Jain, managing director, Elcom India eCommerce said, "our solutions are specially targeted at companies who are constantly challenged to bring in efficiencies and cut costs to stay competitive. One big potential area for business advantage is the whole purchasing and procurement process. Large buying organisations, both in the services and manufacturing sector, can benefit immensely by automating their buying process and getting their vendors in the SME segment to come on board to trade electronically, he added. Elcom has established presence in six geographical regions.

Some of Elcom's international clients include Caradon Plc, Northern Foods, CBS Corporation, and Capital One. It has recently launched CBCMarketplace.com, an e-marketplace for the Commonwealth Business Council, which represents significant business organisations, for doing business in and across 54 Commonwealth countries. Over the next couple of years, Elcom India, will be targeting businesses and associations in finance and insurance, automotive, hospitality, health, manufacturing, media, telecom and electronic markets. The company also has strategic alliances with i2 Technologies, MasterCard International, CBS (TV and Radio Network Affiliates), VISA International, Seagate Technology (OEM Crystal reports) and Dun and Bradstreet. According to Mr Jain, the company will expand some of these alliances in India, in order to provide a comprehensive and customised range of services and solutions for its customers.