Web-based technology is nothing less than the great equalizer. In cyberspace companies large and small can compete on fairly equal footing. When the Internet burst into the public consciousness a few years ago, the hype and hoopla was deafening. Companies large and small stampeded onto the Web, only to find the medium an expensive adjunct to conventional marketing and advertising. But now, thanks to more sophisticated software, a better understanding of Web technology, and a rapidly expanding user base, small companies are beginning to reap the rewards.
Web technology allows organizations to make decisions quickly and effectively.
It allows them to cut costs and provide a higher level of service to customers, suppliers, and business partners. And the World Wide Web is only the beginning. Increasingly, small companies are establishing intranets that link PCs within an organization and extranets that provide secure transactions for outside firms. Using these tools, it's possible to venture into a growing universe of business and commerce solutions, including real-time price quotes adapted to a specific customer, shipping information, payment and invoice records, and product availability. It's also possible to provide calculators and worksheets that assist with ordering.