9-26-95. W$Japer: "On-Line Service to Assist Global Trade." A group of multinational companies is expected to unveil today an on-line service to businesses to engage in international trade. Dubbed IBEX, it is a joint effort of AT&T, Dun & Bradstreet, General Electric and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to let businesses use on-line traffic to line up suppliers, negotiate contracts, make and receive bids, and arrange the delivery of goods and services around the world. IBEX expects the backing of Chase Manhattan, Microsoft, DEC and Simon & Schuster. The IBEX software allows companies to sign on and submit a request for goods or services, which is posted anonymously. The request could be styled using an array of categories offered by the service, including location, product category, payment and shipping terms. The customer would then receive bids from businesses hoping to land the contract. Once a bid is chosen, the identities of the businesses are disclosed and negotiations begin. IBEX allows them to attach documents such as confidentiality agreements, contracts and purchase orders. IBE_dam (5 kb)