• Buy-side – only really suits large buyers, but displaces work to suppliers. Key suppliers may be missed if unaware of tender. Can specify integration with IT systems.
• Sell-side – effort placed on buyer to find sources. Integration with IT systems potentially more difficult.
• Marketplace – theoretically gives widest range of supplier and if integrates with a standard exchange such as Commerce One (www.commerceone.com) gives a standard method of data exchange and flexibility to move suppliers. Difficulty in choosing exchange with critical mass.