The Wood Furniture Company Is wired. Each quarter, the Employee Benefits Ma
nager electronically sends out the latest 401K updates to all the employees
of all the branches via the company's intranet. When company computers ind
icate low raw material inventories, the Purchasing Manager checks the compa
ny's extranets for their suppliers' current prices and inventory of particl
eboard and medium density fiberboard panels available for sale. She then pl
aces the order on-line and executes an electronic funds transfer authorizat
ion. The Vice President goes on-line to ask another furniture company's VP
the status of a recent EPA ruling. The Sales Manager receives an order via
an Internet-connected computer from a furniture retail store, as part of th
eir Just-In-Time delivery agreement.