Internet auction site eBay Inc. and Microsoft Corp. have announced a new partnership. Under the terms of the agreement eBay will use Microsoft’s technology, including its server and Internet delivery systems, and in return Microsoft will extend eBay’s technology through new venues it hasn’t had access to.
Three key initiatives are expected to be introduced this year. eBay plans to support Microsoft .NET technologies, offering its own commerce engine to Web developers as a Web service based on the XML standard. Microsoft plans to integrate eBay’s marketplace into a number of its own Web properties, including the MSN Internet service, Carpoint, bCentral and WebTV. As part of the arrangement, eBay is also expected to deploy systems which utilize Windows 2000 Server and Microsoft Passport, as well.
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer says he’s excited to see eBay’s online trading community combined with Microsoft’s own technology.
“Together, with our shared vision for creating Web services that break the bounds of today’s isolated Web sites, we can significantly enhance the online experience for millions of online customers,” said Ballmer.
Microsoft indicated that eBay’s XML-based Web service will be integrated into its own sites later this year and will be available in a total of 33 international markets where MSN is available. Microsoft and eBay plan to cross-promote the services on their respective Web sites, also. The eBay services will be tailored for local MSN environments — as a practical example, explained Microsoft, Carpoint will integrate eBay Motors as its used car listings and transaction system.
eBay will, in turn, deploy Windows 2000 Server across all of its front-end Web servers, and also plans to make it possible for users to register and sign in via Microsoft Passport. Passport is an online registration system that enables you to maintain a single username and password across multiple secure Web sites.
eBay and Microsoft indicate that they are collaborating on various other projects as well. The financial terms of eBay and Microsoft’s new alliance were not disclosed.