New strategic partnerships will allow increasing numbers of Asian companies to exchange business transactions and related information through computer networks. Under the partnerships, local Asian companies will offer the global services of Sterling Commerce, a U. S. based software service firm with over 20 years experience in electronic commerce (EC).

The world's fifth largest computer company, Compaq Computer Corporation, has selected Sterling Commerce to supply an end-to-end electronic data interchange (EDI) solution for 900 distribution channel partners in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. This large-scale implementation of EDI software and services will help the computer manufacturer enhance customer service.