Advances in e-commerce are bringing purchasing to the next level by bridging the gap between buyers and sellers. Find out how one company is pooling its resources together.

For years it has been said that computers are going to take over the world. It is virtually impossible to exist without a computer. If there is not one in your home there is a good chance that one is used at work. It is important for companies to use this technology to their advantage. Therefore, many companies have a website which allows anyone to purchase a product. E-Commerce is a powerful tool that will benefit many people both buyers and sellers.
At the Thomas Regional sales meeting this year Leslie Caison, Purchasing Manager, of Burlington Industries spoke of E-Commerce. Burlington Industries implemented changes to their corporate structure as they began to focus their attentions on E-Commerce.
Burlington Industries is a leading manufacturer of textiles. Established in 1923 Burlington Industries has undergone structural changes and avoided a takeover attempt in the 1980′s. Now it is a public company on the New York Stock Exchange. Burlington continues to manufacture synthetic and cotton products for the home or office. Mr. Caison touched on points that not only would benefit his company, but many others as well.
In order to provide better service to buyers through E-Commerce it is important for companies to focus their attentions inward. By restructuring and fine tuning it is possible to have a company where each individual is assigned a particular task. The decentralization effect enables companies to control purchasing and explore new technology. In order to advance in the computer age one must find new opportunities. By pooling needs and resources a company can work as a whole and no longer by divisions.
With this technology the need arises for new areas of information. In order to succeed one must use the sources available to learn. These may include a new supplier, competitors information and trade shows. By extending knowledge from one another it allows companies the opportunity to see things from a different perspective. This pooling of knowledge allows people to grow and prosper.
To teach and learn about other corporations there are three main sources of information available. The business to business directory, industry focused books and magazines and international information. These are valuable tools to businesses, but they still need a few changes to gain the full value they will have. If some businesses are still not included then a source is considered incomplete. Include a name or job title with each company listed. There is a better response when a person is asked for by name. Include pictures in these sources. There are many people who do not know what they want until they see it. This makes communication between buyers and sellers easier and allows for less confusion.
With E-Commerce these suggestions will be easier to fulfill due to more space on a computer than a book. If pictures and names are added to every company then a book becomes too large and intimidating to a user. But with the internet there are many more possibilities. However this is a competitive area. Smaller businesses may not be able to provide as much information as a billion dollar company. Therefore it is estimated that only one in four companies will survive.
By the year 2002 every company will be accessible via the Internet or no longer in business. Now is the time to begin E-Commerce. Do you have an interesting Internet experience you would like to share? If so, please Contact us at newseditor@ThomasRegional.com