| The Internet has had, and will continue to have, a major impact on our lives and businesses. It changes everything. The Internet provides a means to transform entire industries, create new industries, challenge industry leaders, and enable business in entirely new ways. Companies use the Internet to expand their markets, increase revenue, streamline processes, and increase the speed of business. The Internet is a valuable tool to help meet customer expectations. It is no longer a matter of if companies will participate in the Internet revolution, but rather when and how.
The majority of companies today have some sort of Internet presence. This presence may only be basic marketing information about the company, or it may allow customers to transmit simple orders over the Internet. However, after the initial rush to establish an Internet presence, many companies are now asking how they can shift to true e-business and use this powerful technology to actually provide them with a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
The new era requires organizations to think and act differently than they have in the past. Companies are able to gain a competitive edge by integrating their e-business strategies into their overall business strategies and letting customer needs drive their business strategies. Although technology is a key enabler, the business strategy is the core foundation. Companies must carefully plan use of this critical technology. |
