PURCHASING NOTES

By Staff -- PURCHASING, 4/20/2000

Lexmark has cut prices by up to 18% of its Optra Color 1200 series printers.

Lexmark has cut prices by up to 18% of its Optra Color 1200 series printers New prices of some models: Optra Color 1200, $4,499; Optra Color 1200n, $5,149; and OptraImage Color 1200r, $6,829.

Dell Computer has notified customers

Dell Computer has notified customers who have purchased some of its Latitude and Inspiron notebook PCs that may have faulty memory chips that it will replace the part at no cost. It also has posted a diagnostic program on its Web site that allows customers to determine if their notebooks are affected. PCs with the defective chips, which were installed in the PCs produced from February through November of last year, are unable to resume work after being put into a low-power, or "sleep" mode, forcing users to turn off and restart the machine.

Plan to attend PC Expo

Plan to attend PC Expo June 27-29, 2000, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York, N.Y. At last year's expo, there were more than 500 exhibitors from some of the world's leading technology companies. Among the new products introduced were portable printers, laptop PCs, digital cameras, and LCD screens. For info, call (800) 829-3976, ext. 2207.

Caucus-the association of high-tech acquisition professionals-holds its annual conference

Caucus-the association of high-tech acquisition professionals-holds its annual conference Sept. 6-8, 2000, at the Hyatt Islandia in San Diego. For more information visit the group's Web site at www.caucusnet.com or phone (407) 740-0700.

Wareforce.com has integrated its $2 billion virtual warehouse

Wareforce.com has integrated its $2 billion virtual warehouse featuring 140,000 computer-related products with Commerce One MarketSite Global Trading Portal. This will allow customers immediate access to a comprehensive line of online inventories of IT products.

BellSouth and Commerce One are forming a joint venture

BellSouth and Commerce One are forming a joint venture to develop an Internet site for procurement in the telecom industry. The aim is to create an open exchange to link buyers and sellers of goods and services across the telecom industry throughout the world. All telecom providers and supporting industry partners are encouraged to join the new exchange. It will initially offer procurement management functionality, reporting, and analysis capabilities. It will support BellSouth's overall strategy aimed at transforming its $16 billion global supply chain and reducing ongoing costs by $1 billion over the next 2-4 years. BellSouth plans to implement the Commerce One system throughout the company. The exchange is expected to go live this quarter.

IBM has reached a new milestone in server sales

IBM has reached a new milestone in server sales with the shipment of its 1000th RS/6000 S80 server, only four months after introducing the product. "Customers ranging from Fortune 500 companies to dot.com start-ups are choosing the S80 to power a variety of mission-critical e-business applications," says Rod Adkins, general manager, Web Server Unit. "The overwhelming reception is no fluke. Customers know that it provides unparalleled performance, scaleability and reliability."

Avnet has acquired Savoir Technology Group.

Avnet has acquired Savoir Technology Group. Once the transaction is finalized, Savoir will be merged primarily into Avnet's Computer Marketing Group, with a segment of the business to be merged into the Avnet Applied Computing operating group. Savoir's main products include IBM AS/400, RS/6000, S/60 and Netfinity servers. "Avnet and Savoir, as industry leaders, provide key value-added services, including solution integration, professional services, technical and configuration support, financing, logistics, marketing and a host of e-business initiatives," says Andy Bryant, president of Avnet's Computer Marketing Group.