This new CTR report positions e-commerce as a 20th century economic phenomenon whose impact will escalate exponentially. Because exranets open internal business processes and applications to select partners, "Advanced E-business Strategies" examines the foundational role extranets play in successful e-business implementations by enabling several of the most practical e-business applications, such as virtual supply chain management (SCM) and customer relationship management (CRM).

This report also examines how companies can use e-business to facilitate the structural shift from a departmental or product focus to a customer focus. E-commerce applications are the fastest growing segment of the Internet and can be acquired in several ways, and "Advanced E-business Strategies" examines the advantages and disadvantages of each strategy, including developing applications from scratch, investing in a commercial software package, and renting a Web site and the necessary programming support.

In addition, this in-depth report outlines the process of creating an e-business strategy and examines the plan’s requirements, including executive-level support, a long-term budget, and regular revisions. The report also helps companies avoid common implementation mistakes, such as legal entanglements, e-mail broadcasts, invading customer privacy, not protecting the supply chain, and ignoring the threat of hack attacks and site obsolescence. E-business represents a fundamental shift in how companies conduct business. Some organizations will ignore or downplay this tectonic shift, but savvy organizations will begin formulating their strategies immediately and monitoring next-generation Internet initiatives. Organizations that embrace e-business will distinguish themselves from their competitors and quickly outpace them. CTR’s "Advanced E-business Strategies" can help.(Amazon)