EVENDALE, OHIO - With more than 360 airline customers linked to GE Aircraft Engines' Internet-based Customer Web Center (CWC), transactions through the center have surpassed $1 billion this year. GE Aircraft Engines (GEAE) launched the CWC in January. It features personalized, password-protected customer sites with Web-based, cost-saving capabilities such as spare parts order and inventory management, interactive technical publications, engine fleet highlights, repair status and advanced visual collaboration, and updated service manuals and bulletins.The CWC dramatically enhances customer interaction and convenience. For example, through visual collaboration, customers can evaluate highly detailed images of engine components being proposed for repair. GEAE has even sold spare jet engines over the CWC, representing multi-million dollar transactions.'Customer enthusiasm for the CWC is very gratifying,' said Russ Mayer, vice president of eBusiness and Technology Solutions at GEAE. 'While developing personalized sites for our customers, we are also developing tools that will provide greater integration between the CWC and our customer's internal processes.'GEAE is also establishing a common connectivity between the CWC and customers' procurement and inventory computer systems, generically known as 'back-end' systems. This next step, termed 'business to business integration,' would make day-to-day transacting an even more efficient process, automating many of the routine interactions that occur by phone or fax today.GEAE is actively teaming with other General Electric Co. businesses on corporate-wide eAuctions for large-volume purchases of materials. GEAE plans to make this buying leverage available to its customers and suppliers.GEAE has more than 600 people dedicated full time to its eBusiness and Technology solutions, of which the CWC is a key component. Based in the Cincinnati suburb of Evendale, Ohio, GEAE is the world's largest jet engine manufacturing and services company, with 1999 revenues of $10.56 billion.