E.Business priorities must be the same as core business priorities, for a successful transition to take place.

WHAT IS AN E.BUSINESS?

An e.Business is the fast moving, proactive business of the 21st century. It does not necessarily buy and sell products or services over the internet, but it DOES use technology to link its business processes, knowledge assets and people. It also makes appropriate and creative use of the power of technology tools such as the internet and email.

SUCCESS FACTOR 1

e-business is as much about business vision as technology. The most successful e-businesses are partnerships between business managers and IT managers. Companies that make e-business central to their strategies do better than those that make it an afterthought.

SUCCESS FACTOR 2

For most organizations, the key to a successful e-business transition is making knowledge management a core business priorities. It makes e-business an investment instead of a gamble.

SUCCESS FACTOR 3

Move quickly. In many industries, business cycles already reflect e-business efficiencies and speed. Waiting for Internet technology to mature, or your company to "be ready", may be ceding advantages to bolder competitors.

SUCCESS FACTOR 4

Integrate e-business with core operations from the start by leveraging existing business systems. This prevents mistakes like selling products that aren't available at prices that have changed and ensures that sales, warehousing, logistics and accounting are using consistent information.

SUCCESS FACTOR 5

Manage the performance of all systems, networks and applications as a single enterprise. Don't allow empires to develop - they inhibit the flow of knowledge and ideas through your business.

SUCCESS FACTOR 6

Scalability, availability and security aren't optional when it comes to business systems. In a system that is available even 95% of the time, 5% of productivity is lost.

SUCCESS FACTOR 7

Customer knowledge is everything. The company that knows its customers best and uses what it knows to serve them better has a huge advantage where competitors are only a click away. Use the internet to understand your market - threats AND opportunities.

SUCCESS FACTOR 8

Most business processes span multiple operating environments and customers. It pays to look outside the business at what customers and markets would love to have, than focus inwardly on serving the current internal bottlenecks.

SUCCESS FACTOR 9

Expect the unexpected. Double-digit growth is the norm in e-business, and unpredictable demand spikes are common. Plan early for overcapacity; it's less expensive than starting over.

SUCCESS FACTOR 10

Plan for change. Use standard platforms, technology and software for systems. Keep a close eye on your customers and competitors. There is one guarantee in today's business environment: Tomorrow will be different."