The Internet revolution is indeed for real. It can change for the better how you distribute information to customers, employees, shareholders, suppliers, distributors, . . . and list goes on. Beginning to use Internet technology is not a question of should we or when should we. It's a question of what’s first. In the long run, there is not a bad choice. The point is just get started. Your competitors are!

Just where are the opportunities? The first order of business is to better communicate with your customers. This is accomplished by making the Internet an additional medium to connect with your customers and provide them timely information on products and services. Begin to connect better with your business partners such as your employees. Distributing the company newsletter as a push of information to your employees combined with a pull of suggestions from employees develops two way communication. Employees are more likely to have a creative suggestion in response to a stimuli such as a newsletter. Strike while the idea is hot! Then how about looking at many of your business processes. Computer based just-in-time-training can be delivered to your production crew, remote sales force, and customers. Even your financial department can benefit from electronic invoicing coupled with electronic fund transfers. The opportunities are where you want to find them.

Your big concern may be your legacy systems. Internet technologies don’t necessarily replace your existing systems. They make them more effective. Most legacy software manufacturers are modifying their systems to effectively integrate new capabilities and adapt to the standards.

So, where do you begin? Select from this list and you can’t go wrong. If you think about it a few minutes, you will add your own ideas to the list. Then select one of those.

WeatherEye can help you make it happen.