It was firstly used by IBM, in October, 1997, and also launched a thematic campaign built around the term. Companies are using the Web to buy parts and supplies from other companies, to find new avenues for their growth. Exploiting the convenience, availability, and world-wide reach of the Internet, companies, are trying to discover how to use the Internet successfully. e-business is what happens when you connect your critical business systems directly to customers, employees, vendors and suppliers – via intranets, extranets and over the Web. Combining the resources of traditional information systems with the vast reach of the Web.
E-business constitutes the ability of a firm to electronically connect, in multiple ways, many organizations, both internal and external, for many different purposes. It allows an organization to execute electronic transactions with any individual entity along the value chain—suppliers, logistics providers, wholesalers, distributors, service providers, and end customers. Today’s browsers and with digital certificates now available for individuals and companies from Verisign, a certificate issuer, much of the early concern about the security of business transaction on the Web has abated and e-business is accelerating. Thousands of businesses are using e-business by establishing a Web site and publishing information electronically which is simple and relatively cheap however the impact on the business in limited. There are “self service” Web sites – where customers can check their account status or trace a package. This is hard to implement, but the return is great. Also e-business is moving to transactions –