Web-related industry news

Bidcom, Cephren Merge To Form Citadon

Internet service providers Bidcom Inc. and Cephren Inc. announced they will merge under the new company name Citadon Inc. Citadon, which will help engineering and building professionals manage business and project processes, will hold more than 30,000 subscribers and 1,200 projects at more than $110 billion dollars.

BuildNet Adds Partners

Four new partnerships are expanding BuildNet Inc.'s online capabilities for users. An agreement with Advantage Business Computer Systems Inc. allows the BuildNet community to engage in e-commerce with users of Advantage Business Computer Systems.

A partnership with NetClerk Inc. will link users from BuildNet's Web site to NetClerk's PermitCentral, an online means of accessing, completing and submitting local building permit applications. BuildNet and TradePower Inc. also have partnered to connect BuildNet users to TradePower's commercial digital marketplace, which allows real-time research, request and purchase interactions between suppliers and contractors.

In other BuildNet news, its HVAConline division will partner with Air Conditioning Contractors of America to bring more than 9,000 members nationwide access to HVAC/R-related information and programs.

SupplyFORCE.com Builds Lineup

SupplyFORCE.com has admitted C.L. Watt distributors into its Participating Distributor network. C.L. Watt numbers 55 independent distributors of plumbing, heating, air conditioning and industrial piping products. SupplyFORCE.com's network includes about 350 distributors with 3,900 shipping locations in North America.

New Ventures, Faces At BuildPoint

BuildPoint Corp. and construction.com announced a joint sales venture in which both companies will offer building product manufacturers an enhanced sales program. The deal, part of a sales campaign for McGraw-Hill Co.'s Sweet Program, which allows industry professionals to specify and purchase, will unite BuildPoint's programs and Sweet's product database in the Sweet's Product Marketplace.

BuildPoint also has introduced an online catalog for the commercial construction industry. The catalog includes 1.6 million items from manufacturers and suppliers nationwide and is organized in sections tailored to mechanical, HVAC and electrical needs.

In other BuildPoint news, customers now can call its customer service center in Charlotte, N.C., for help sending and receiving bids, buying and selling construction goods, and using other services. BuildPoint has named Allen Britt director of the center.

Buzzsaw.com Improves
Online Services

Buzzsaw.com has added bidding and construction management services to its online features. These two services, plus the project collaboration service, comprise Buzzsaw.com Project Workspace, allowing users to manage projects from start to finish on the Web.

In other Buzzsaw.com news, it announced a milestone of having reached 20,000 projects.

ContractorHub.com Changes Fee Structure

ContractorHub.com has reduced materials transaction fees and implemented a nominal monthly subscription charge for buyers. Product transaction fees break down into four increments between 0.25 percent and 0.5 percent, decreasing as transaction costs rise. The bid management system and other fee-free transactions can be used on a monthly or annual subscription basis.

PlanetHVAC.com Eases Job Hunt

PlanetHVAC.com has partnered with HVACjob.com to offer job searching and listing as part of its services. Applicants and employers using PlanetHVAC.com's site now can securely and confidentially post and browse jobs.

PermitsNOW Spans 17 New Domains

PermitsNOW announced its services are available in 17 domains throughout Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. PermitsNOW, which launched in August, lets local builders and contractors process construction-related permits online.

NetClerk Hits Two Milestones

NetClerk Inc. announced that since launching in February, its NetClerk-City-Builder-Network now reaches more than 1,000 cities across the United States and more than 20,000 permits have been filed online at PermitCentral. The NetClerk-City-Builder-Network has grown 33 percent from August to October 2000.

Sears Goes Real-Time

Sears, Roebuck and Co. announced an improved scheduling feature that lets customers arrange heating, cooling and appliance service and repair calls online with Sears HomeCentral. Customers can select dates and times from a seven-day window and leave an e-mail address for service confirmation.

Customize Clothes Online

Nebs has added Company Colors Work Wear to its online catalog at www.nebs.com, allowing small-business owners to custom design and order work apparel online.

TradePower Appoints Business Development V.P.

TradePower Inc. has appointed Lynda O'Dea as vice president of business development. O'Dea, who brings more than 20 years experience in developing and implementing business plans, will be responsible for picking and assessing partnership and acquisition prospects.