As of today, June 3, 2010, GXS (the largest B2B service provider in the world) and Inovis (number 3 in overall size) will begin operating as one entity under the name of GXS. The combined GXS entity will now have more than 40,000 B2B customers and will provide effective competition to the planned IBM/Sterling Commerce operation (which still needs regulatory approval to proceed). Sterling Commerce will remain the second-largest B2B service provider after GXS. The high level of M&A activity in this sector highlights the growing importance of B2B service providers in meeting the full range of enterprise needs that span end-to-end business processes that reach beyond the corporate firewall. Expect more M&A activity in this sector during the coming months.