One of the enterprises of the Belarusian state–owned concern Belneftekhim, Belarusian Oil Trading House, started trading in oil products via the e–auction system developed by IBA.

A three–tier architecture software product, E–Auction is built on the Microsoft.NET platform. Microsoft SQL Server 2000 is used as the database server, while IIS/ASP.NET as the web component platform. The application server and components of business logic are developed using C#.

E–Auction is a special electronic trade portal designed for selling oil products, chemical industry products and other goods through the Internet. The system collects information coming from Belarusian and foreign enterprises, helps manage it effectively, and optimizes the distribution of resources. E–Auction can be used as a part of the existing non–electronic auction system of the Belarusian Oil Trading House without additional software development. E–Auction is accessible via web browser and therefore is available to a large number of users.

E–Auction automates interaction between buyers and suppliers, reduces the cost of procurement operations, and makes auctions more open and transparent. It provides an opportunity to sell oil products in a flexible and efficient way and quickly respond to market changes.

The Belarusian Oil Trading House held the first electronic auction at the end of 2004, signing contracts that amount to US $750,000. The auction held on January 5, 2005 generated US $4,2 million in proceeds.

At present, the e–auction system is being upgraded to integrate three more Belneftekhim enterprises. The project is planned to be finished by the end of March 2005.