The faster Compaq products reach consumers, the greater market share Compaq, Intel, and Microsoft can capture and the sooner they accrue benefits from a growing installed base, name recognition, and follow-on software sales. Cooperation pays off. Those who collaborate best stand to win sizable market and revenue benefits. Preparing Yourself for a Collaborative Electronic Enterprise Companies that commit to doing business this way also commit to IT infrastructure optimization. With commitment and a team in place, the first step is to integrate and optimize basic business processes.
Processes are usually interdepartmental and cross-functional.
It must be robust enough to process high volumes of information, consistently integrate information among all members of the extended enterprise, and ensure data integrity. It must be open, enabling all participants to tap the power of shared information in ways that meet productivity, customer service, and other key strategic objectives. It must be highly automated to react effectively to changing variables. Doing business electronically requires automating processes and pre-wiring the backbone infrastructure for the Internet. You want to make sure that throwing the switch on an extranet application requires minimal manual intervention.