The eCommerce revolution

This paper looks ahead to the mid-term and longer-term effects of the eComm erce revolution. We are in the last few years of the domination of the indu strial economy - soon the information economy, or network economy, will tak e its place as the main engine of wealth. The underlying trends that are dr iving this revolution are discussed and guidelines offered for success in t he new commercial world. Often these guidelines seem counter-intuitive and against conventional commercial wisdom. The paper describes how customer and business relationships are being re-fo rmed by Internet technologies, why the revolution is an all-pervasive irres istible force, and how it threatens previously profitable industries, while creating a multitude of new ones. Perhaps the most fundamental change for companies will be the advent of sup ply networks, an alternative to traditional, linear supply chains. For cons umers the most fundamental change will be the increase in their buying powe r. The new role of advertisers, the importance of trust, the threat from 'B ig Brother', and the changes in the global economy are all examined. There are four main sections that look at issues for companies, customers, network-economy trends, and finally, a section that describes why some comp anies are at risk.