ogether from all corners of the globe to discuss company-related issues. A chat forum is an electronic version of a conference call. Several people can log into a chat area and hold a discussion by simply keying in responses.An advantage to holding chat forums is that companies can connect with multiple contacts at real time. Anyone who has authorization to the site can log on and view the chat without becoming an active participant. Alternatively, anyone who has authorization can also join the chat. If companies offered a chance for their customers to speak in a similar forum, they would be able to find out exactly what their concerns were.On-Line TransactionsThe Internet continues to grow at a dramatic rate, with the number of global users now estimated at 195 million - 4.64% of the worlds population. A major trend within this growth is the increase in electronic commerce, with 1999 seeing revenues from Internet shopping grow by 150% and business to consumer electronic commerce generating around $12 billion.By 2004 analyst predict that more than 56 percent of business worldwide will be online (Rosario, 1). A website on the World Wide Web allows a company to sell its products or services to this growing market. New methods allow for secure and completely confidential transactions over the web. Maximizing the use of the Internet for completing online transactions can save a company time and money. With the rapid advances in technology, the capability to conduct all aspects of the business transaction on the Internet has emerged as a viable option to doing business in the customary method.Cost savings are derived through automation of administrative tasks, customer retention by knowing customers profiles kept on a database accessible by any employee, speed in supply procurement, and company leaders being able to make real-time decisions with windows into the whole enterprise, anywhere, anytime, said Oracle Systems Michael La (...
