Building an e-business needs strong foundations

e-business, e-commerce, world wide web, global village….. the world is getting smaller it seems and time is going faster!

With today's technology messages, documents, video shots, whole project folders can be delivered to the other side of the world in seconds and can even be worked on simultaneously by multi-locational collaborative teams.

The emphasis of the various government and private ventures (we can't get through an evening TV viewing without being urged to do e-business with Outer Mongolia or wherever!) tends to be on the external communications – telling us how increased market share and profits are available as we extend our business outside of our factory or office doors.

However, to be successful it is important that the e-entrepreneur's in-house systems are set up to cope. Often managers fear that if they advertise with a web site they would not be able to cope with the increased Enquiries and that could jeopardise existing business.

This isn't an "e" problem – regardless of where the enquiries come from it is symptomatic of out-of date or poorly implemented systems. When considering setting up a web site businesses should also consider their in-house systems and networks. The main issues are:

• Avoiding keying in information more than once
• Making the system do work wherever possible
• Keeping secure back-ups of valuable client details and transactions
• Doing things from the desk (faxing, emailing, conferencing, internet)
• Having fast access to accurate company information and customer
  details
• Keeping in touch with your business and customers whether you are in the office, at home or on the road.

To achieve this you need a reliable solid network with integrated communications and business applications such as Microsoft Windows Server and Exchange or Small Business Server.

To decide what is right for your company ask advice from a company who practises what they preach, uses the technology themselves and who understands and supplies all aspects of a successful system – networking, comms, PC workstations and server hardware, applications packages – and who offer ongoing support and remote management