Companies on the Internet fast track are all abuzz about the questionable potential of B2B e-commerce; that is, businesses conducting their transactions with other businesses using public or private networks. The Internet is the foundation of B2B activities and research indicates B2B transactions over the Web will exceed $2.7 trillion by 2004.
Why does B2B make so much sense? Simply, it is the only way for businesses to use technology in a strategic manner to improve their operations. Traditionally, business-to-business activities have been conducted through sophisticated but fat supply chains or distribution networks, many of which are too slow for today's fast moving marketplace. B2B lets businesses streamline transactions associated with development, manufacturing, delivery, sales and support of products or services.
This book is the first definitive blueprint for creating a profitable B2B Web strategy. It describes huge B2B success stories such as Cisco Systems and Dell Computers, as well as smaller trailblazers, to illustrate how any company can navigate this space and use B2B to be much better at what they do. 'B2B' breaks down a previously cryptic topic into easy-to-understand steps and provides a how-to game plan for succeeding at the greatest opportunity yet in online commerce.