i2 AND ASPECT MERGE TO FORM BIG E-COMMERCE IT FIRM

i2 AND ASPECT MERGE TO FORM BIG E-COMMERCE IT FIRM    The two e-commerce software companies i2 Technologies, Inc. and Aspect Development, Inc. have announced a merger of their businesses valued at $9.3 billion.
   i2, based in Dallas, Texas, was founded in 1988 and has about 3,000 employees. i2 provides the TradeMatrix electronic platform to enable companies to operate business-to-business and business-to-consumer portals. TradeMatrix provides wide functionalities, including procurement, commerce and fulfillment, to conduct business in real-time.
   Aspect, headquartered in Mountain View, Calif., provides “collaborative solutions” for B2B e-commerce and inbound supply chain management. Aspect was founded in 1991 and employs over 800 people.
   Both companies are listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange.
   i2 said that the merger “will create a B2B marketplace powerhouse with unmatched solution breadth and depth of functionality, unparalleled content, and a laser-focus on value creation.”
   The company estimates that the combined revenues of i2 and Aspect in 2000 will make it the largest provider of software and content for B2B. Under the merger agreement, i2 will acquire all of the outstanding stock and stock options of Aspect.
   In addition, i2 entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Supplybase Inc., an IT fIrm specialized in web-based product design and sourcing of custom parts and assemblies. i2 will acquire the outstanding capital of Supplybase by issuing i2 common stock valued at about $380 million.