The Empowerment Foundation and DSSI Partner with GM and Commerce One to Enable Exchange Participation for Minorities

DETROIT -- July 21, 2000 -- The Empowerment Foundation and Direct Sourcing Solutions, Inc. today announced a new program partnership to help General Motor's minority suppliers excel in the B2B marketplace. The Supplier Diversity Exchange Enabling (SDE²) program will provide a range of e-commerce systems and services for GM's 600+ Supplier Diversity Group members.

The new program will assist minority suppliers' participation in GM's TradeXchange.  Suppliers on GM's TradeXchange have the opportunity to participate in both a B2B BuySite and MarketSite.  The planned assistance includes help with hardware/software acquisition, connectivity, catalog creation, training and providing ongoing operations for a minority supplier B2B BuySite.   

Partners in this program include GM, Commerce One, the Empowerment Foundation, and Direct Sourcing Solutions, Inc (DSSI).  Commerce One and GM will work together to provide the software infrastructure and access to the TradeXchange. DSSI will provide technology and process consulting services and the Empowerment Foundation will assist with hardware equipment (refurbished and Internet ready), training, catalog development and maintenance, and ongoing project management.  

"We have been working with suppliers (minority and non-minority) to develop catalogs for the TradeXchange since the TradeXchange first went online.  Currently, we have hundreds of suppliers and tens of thousands of items online," said Dennis Buckley, Purchasing Strategy Director.

"The Empowerment Foundation's role in this partnership is closely aligned with our stated mission of empowering individuals through technology," said Robin Wright Brown, Empowerment Foundation Executive Director.  "With the training and other wrap-around efforts of this program, minority suppliers will have the opportunity to apply their newly-learned technical knowledge toward succeeding in today's B2B marketplaces."

About General Motors:
General Motors (NYSE: GM) the world's largest vehicle manufacturer, designs, builds and markets cars and trucks worldwide.  In 1999, GM earned $5.6 billion on sales of $176.6 billion.  For more information, visit the website at www.gm.com.

About GM TradeXchange:
GM TradeXchange is a virtual Internet community for GM, its suppliers and other businesses, allowing them to perform business transactions with speed and efficiency. For more information, visit the website at www.gmtradexchange.com

About Commerce One:
Commerce One is the leader in global e-commerce solutions for business.  Through its products, portals and services, Commerce One creates access to worldwide markets, allowing anyone to buy from anyone, anytime, anywhere.  The Commerce One Global Trading Web is the world’s largest business-to-business trading community.  Comprised of many e-marketplaces, the Global Trading Web provides unprecedented economies of scale for buying organizations, suppliers, and service providers worldwide.  Commerce One is located in Walnut Creek, Calif., and can be reached by phone at (800) 308-3838 or (925) 941-6000 or via the Internet at  www.commercone.com.

About The Empowerment Foundation:
The Empowerment Foundation is a private, charitable foundation engaged in work that enhances education through technology with a focus to support disadvantaged communities. The Foundation is a Michigan based, 501(c)3 non-profit corporation. For more information about the Empowerment Foundation, visit the www.empowermentfoundation.com web site.

About Direct Sourcing Solutions, Inc. 
Direct Sourcing Solutions, Inc., a minority-owned company, is an industry leader in e-procurement services for Fortune 500 clients. Based in Southfield, Michigan, DSSI also has offices in Louisville, Kentucky; and Colchester, England. For more information about DSSI, visit the www.directsourcing.com web site.

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