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. For the sake of simplicity, we will state that electronic commerce requires the use of computer technology.
Electronic commerce is also about communictions.
Companies need to communicate, in electronic forms, with trading partners. The type of this communication is not an essential attribute of electronic commerce. Electronic communication could be via the Internet, via a lease telephone line, via a direct link to a trading partner, via a proprietary communications protocol or via a Value Added Network. The choice of communication mechanism is a commercial decision between trading partners. However, many electronic commerce transactions do not use the Internet as the delivery mechanism.