SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Feb. 22 -- The value of e-commerce transactions in the semiconductor industry will jump from $12.7 billion in 2000 to $104.6 billion in 2003, according to Cahners In-Stat Group (http://www.instat.com). E-commerce transactions will grow from 6.2 percent of total semiconductor sales in 2000 to just over 39 percent in 2003, the high-tech market research firm reports.
   Although most industries will benefit from e-commerce, the gains will be particularly impressive in electronics markets that have historically faced rapid time-to-market demands. With e-commerce, engineers can reduce the time spent researching parts for new designs, buy parts online, and eventually collaborate on product designs via the Internet. Initial implementations of e-commerce merely put buyers and sellers in contact with each other via the Internet.
   "Ultimately, e-commerce will enable multi-company integration of the entire supply chain from product design to end product servicing," said Steve Cullen, director of In-Stat's semiconductor service.