A Community Discusion -- What is the Latest at Emptoris?

Posted At : December 30, 2008 12:52 AM
Related Categories: Spend Management

In the past 24 hours, I've gotten multiple emails inquiring about what's going on at Emptoris. As I've not gotten a formal briefing from them since I'm away on vacation, I thought I'd toss it out to the Spend Matters community to debate and discuss. I will offer full coverage of any news after the New Year. Please note that all of the comments that may follow represent the views of Spend Matters readers and may or may not be accurate. I will chime in with my discussion and analysis after I get back on US soil. In the meantime, let's see if the power of an online community can constructively share news and have rational debate and analysis.

- Jason Busch

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There must be at least one shareholder out there who is willing to step up anonymously and give us the straight facts!

We're waiting.

Scared of being found out? Then tap into free wi-fi and use a free proxy. A list of free proxy servers is here:

http://tools.rosinstrument.com/cgi-proxy.htm

# Posted By Anyone | 12/30/08 7:23 AM

I am working on this story and will report back later this afternoon. This is serious news.

# Posted By Jason Busch | 12/30/08 10:18 AM

Jason,
Any news yet?

# Posted By Interested | 12/30/08 2:06 PM

I am still waiting to consult some more sources. I will post in due order when I have more information available. This is one of those situations where I have a fair amount to go on, but not enough confirmed. I'd rather get things right than jump the gun.

# Posted By Jason Busch | 12/30/08 2:37 PM

Does this mean that you are going to post a copy of the complete notice that those "lucky" shareholders received this week? From what I've found it, for the majority of them, it's "priceless".

# Posted By Anyone | 12/30/08 3:11 PM

As Jason drinks his new years eggnog and adheres to further journalistic rigor before he shares what he learns, someone needs to speak up for all those who lost their shirt.

The skinny: Emptoris was sold to an investment firm who was the highest bidder at less than revenue as a multiple (though at an amount higher than the drinking age, but not by much). Earlier shareholders were wiped out (except Avner). And guess who is in charge of the new, new Emptoris?

Jason, analyze the product viability, innovation, etc. all you want, but the ethics of the CEO that looked out for himself and not the other employees and shareholders are something all customers should think about. I hope this makes it into your analysis.

# Posted By Jump the Gun | 12/30/08 11:43 PM

Good report from Gartner:

http://www.tinyurl.com/emptorisRIP

# Posted By Rachel | 12/31/08 8:39 AM

Jason,
Is the sale over? There is a strong buzz in the market that Emptoris has changed hands

# Posted By biks | 1/2/09 5:55 AM

It would be interesting to know who gets the money paid for Emptoris and in particular the cut Avner will receive. Avner's lack of ethics are well known in and around Emptoris. It will be interesting if he comes out ahead while other shareholders and employees are left with little or nothing.

# Posted By JBoy | 1/3/09 4:10 PM

As always, some of those out there have nothing better do to that espouse "they know something" the rest of us do not. For Christ sake, let Jason get over the new years bevvies and do the "insight".

The same people perhaps should think back to the recent doomsday spat about Ariba closing down Emptoris also. Sending them broke they claimed. Look who's counting the single dollars now and clearing house ... oh, forgot, thats a bloody rumour too!!

Wake up people, in a climate like today, let the marketing boffins of the competition eat each other and the rest of us focus our acts on being professional.

# Posted By Dominic McStraw | 1/4/09 6:14 PM

I am one of the casualties of this "buyout" no warning before Christmas, just have a nice day you are out of work. So much for the Emptoris creed of "We are a family" Maybe I will get back to work someday.

# Posted By Ex Emptoris | 1/19/09 3:09 PM

Ex Emptoris:

Did you recently re-sign a non-compete / NDA after being told it's just "standard policy" to have our employees re-sign every year / two years?

Did any of your colleagues or immediate superiors ask you to "link-in" and "recommend them"?

Did your superiors all disappear at the same time for a "strategic retreat"?

Did spending in your group "freeze" a few weeks before your layoff?

Although Emptoris is quick with the axe, and quite indifferent to the fate of their ex-employees, despite Avner's best effort to keep it a "surprise", there are usually a few warning signs that crop up starting 2-3 weeks before pink-slip day.

And yes, they love end of year layoffs.

Any one have any more Emptoris-isms to share?

# Posted By Are You Sure? | 1/19/09 7:17 PM

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