All of this adds to costs. Many companies are turning to the use of various electronic commerce tools to achieve these new business goals. Electronic commerce is a set of technology tools that enables a business to meet its prime business goals. The use of these tools, whether these be EDI, web commerce, electronic payments etc., will vary by company depending upon the nature of the business activity and the size of the company. Electronic commerce is an activity that one company cannot undertake by itself.
Business have trading partners.
All businesses need to communicate with these trading partners. So an important attribute of electronic commerce is the exchange of information with trading partners. Electronic commerce is also about computers. Some commentators argue that electronic commerce can be done without computers, eg telephone banking. However, with the convergence of telecommunications and computer technology this is more a discussion point.