The first will be content and productproviders. Those will be manufacturers or companies, such as newspaper publishers, that produce information. Those companies have always been around. But now they'll be challenged with how to reach consumers electronically. The second business model will be consolidators the electronic form of intermediaries.
Travel agents are early examples of consolidators.
They take information and services from airlines, hotel operators and car rental companies and package them in ways consumers want them. Watch how large travel agents such as American Express and Rosenbluth, enabled by the power of the Internet, battle with the airlines for control of the consumer. But the Internet also will provide for new types of consolidators. Think ofall the items individuals buy withoutadequate information simply because they don't have enough time. The list of rated items could include cars, financial products, homes, appliances and electronic devices such as VCRs and PCs.