Indeed, the concept of collaborative e-commerce makes sense only if applications have a common language.

ECONOMIST: High-tech companies

With rising e-commerce facilitated by sophisticated user-friendly applications on the iPhone, Blackberry, Android and Symbian, we expect mobile shopping to draw sales sales volume away from Avon until the company can expand its online and mobile presence.

FORBES: Rise in Online Shopping Threatens Avon's Model

The company provides products that help companies with their suite of applications, including accounting, customer relationship management, professional services automation, and e-commerce.

FORBES: 5 Cloud Names That Could Be Part of M&A Wave

B2B applications, including some that will allow its Office suite of programs to be closely integrated with e-commerce activities.

ECONOMIST: Unlimited opportunities?