E-commerce, defined as "The application of advanced information technology to increase the effectiveness of the business relationships between trading partners" by the Automotive Industry Action Group of North America, is a realistic tool which enables companies to evolve electronically into a corporation better suited to serve their customers.

E-commerce involves implementing regular business operations into a telecommunications network. The most common form of conducting business online is through web pages. Companies create these web pages (usually with the help of such design companies as NetDynamics) which allow customers to order goods and services from the convenience of their own home. Most new sites also allow secure financial transactions to be made. E-commerce is also used in the form of EDI or Electronic Data Interchange. This form of online business acts as a messaging system which automates and speeds the exchange of information between two linked companies. This format is usually found in

On a local spectrum, the success of Halifax, Nova Scotia based Pantellic Software can further attain to the global potential of e-commerce. Through its extensive product line (sold through www.pantellicsoftware.com) and introduction of the world's first photo-sharing site, Photo-Point.com, founder Dale Cass has seen a $4,100,000 revenue figure for the year 2000 attached to a growth percentile of 621%! His company's innovative e-commerce configuration has exposed them to international markets, which, in turn, has brought them very healthy returns.

Large corporations such as Intel Corp. and Dell Computers have successfully used e-commerce to propel growth. For example, Intel reports that it sells over $1 billion worth of products monthly over its website. This outstanding figure accounts for 40% of Intel's total sales. As well, Dell claims to sell $14 million in products each day over its e-commerce setup.

E-commerce clearly represents a global growth tool for the world of business. Its advantages shorten operating cycles through the use of online catalogues, order and payment, cut manufacturing and stock costs though competitive bidding, connects companies to worldwide markets at a fraction of traditional costs and ensures that product and marketing as well as prices are up-to-date. However, the growth of the e-commerce industry, which the World Trade Organization (WTO) projects will generate $4 trillion in sales in the year 2004, also serves to improve the quality of life for consumers.

Even though the success of large corporations attains to the global opportunities presented by e-commerce, small businesses also reflect this fact. Take into account the scenario of British model solider manufacturer Len Taylor and his company Trophy Miniatures. Taylor experienced many sleepless nights during which he would answer phone calls from US customers (when it was evening over there). However after Taylor decided to embrace e-commerce, his business took off.

The augmentation of e-commerce, with its capacity to create jobs and improve technology, is able to bring forth-strong economic growth of global ma

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