The World Wide Web is probably the
single largest (mostly) public repository of data available. And many people
are finding that, besides the "junk" that populates cyberspace, there's a
wealth of information that can be turned into knowledge to help their
businesses-and save them time and money.
For small businesses, this is a
powerful discovery. Unlike their corporate peers, small businesses can't
afford competitive studies, commissioned research, and other costly
information. And yet, much of what they need to know can be found virtually
for free online.
In addition to using the Internet
as a powerful research tool, many small companies
are finding it
cheaper to access business products and services using the Web. Some
companies-such as online bookstores and computer hardware
manufacturers--offer lower prices for customers who buy through their Web
site because it is cheaper for them to sell through an online store. And
there is a host of time and money-saving services online including low
airfare travel services, information brokers, and others.
Considering the relative youth of
the Internet, some of the statistics are astonishing. A 1997 IDC study*
estimates the number of Web users in the United States alone to be 29.2
million users. Total U.S. purchases over the Web during 1997 was just over
$8.5 billion. And, IDC estimates that by the year 2001, there will be 41.9
million Internet users from the U.S. expected to buy goods or services over
the Web.
How can your business harness the
power of the Web while maintaining cost control and employee productivity?
The tools it takes for Internet access are simple and relatively
inexpensive: a modem (connected to a PC, of course), browser software, and
an account with an Internet service provider. Today's fourth generation
browsers, like Microsoft® Internet Explorer 4.0, improve the browsing
experience by enabling you to get to relevant content faster. For instance,
you can "subscribe" to favorite Web sites and get notified only when
something is new.
If your concern is employee
productivity, managing access is easier than you think. For example,
Microsoft® BackOffice® Small Business Server - a network solution for small
business-not only includes a secure way to connect to the Internet. It also
enables a business owner or system administrator to get reporting on which
sites employees are visiting and how often, and manage or restrict certain
access if necessary. And still another benefit is the ability to share
modems and high-bandwidth phone lines through the server. This enables you
to use the server to share a single Internet connection for all PCs on the
network, reducing the cost of getting all your employees online.
Small businesses may soon find Web
access has ceased to be an option and has become a requirement. Because of
the tremendous convenience and cost savings, more large companies are
demanding their business partners use the Web for communication, information
exchange, and even transactions. Single-store franchisees may find
themselves part of an "Extranet" network--a private Internet of sorts-that
facilitates communication with their franchiser. Small medical offices are
saving money processing insurance claims via the Web. And some large retail
chains require small suppliers to use the Web to process orders.
The good news is that small
businesses can achieve this connectivity easily and at relatively low costs,
growing as they need to in order to meet the changing demands of the
marketplace.
