ABSTRACT

Most of the media information and software systems vendors discuss collaboration as e-commerce or, even worse, c-commerce. This is not a correct view. E-commerce or c-commerce, if the terms still have any meaning when this book is published, usually identify business done over the Internet, such as Amazon.com and Dell Computer. Collaboration is the process of companies or business units working closer to provide improved inter-enterprise information synchronization. It is the value of closer information ties that makes collaboration a worthwhile business initiative. The Internet (e-commerce) can be one of the enablers, as are personal computers, cell phones, supply-chain management software, logistics management systems, CAD systems, and a host of other tools.