Toronto, Canada

WSI has created the first e-marketplace within the Internet franchise sector. The Virtual Private Market Place (VPM) is a B2B system, which enables WSI’ s Internet Consultants (ICs)and Production Centers to collaborate and transact business via the Internet. At the core of the VPM is the MAPS™ system, which is a web-based project management and communication system.

According to International Data Corporation, e-markets are expected to generate over $2 trillion dollars of transactions by 2004. E-markets are ideally suited to businesses that support supply chain relationships such as WSI’s network of ICs and Production Centers. To illustrate, an IC located in the US is working with a mid-sized business to develop an e-commerce solution. After the IC documents all design and functionality requirements, an on-line work estimate for the building of the solution is submitted to several Production Centers via MAPS™. After the chosen Production Center completes the project and the IC’s client signs off the work, payment is made to the Production Center and the site is placed on-line. The entire cycle is completed virtually and coordinated through the MAPS™ system. “The VPM and the MAPS system are integral components supporting our network of franchisees and the growth of our business model,” said President Nigel Mayne. “The VPM model is highly scalable and will accommodate thousands of additional business relationships as WSI continues it’s phenomenal growth.”