Business to Business (B2B)

Business-to-business (B2B) has become a part of the business world. B2B is the use of Web-based technologies to conduct business between two or more companies. "Business" can mean buying and selling, or it can mean exchanging information. B2B transactions can take place directly between companies or through a third party (an intermediary) who helps match buyers and sellers.

B2B can lower operating costs, shorten sales cycle, enhance forecasting capabilities, and improve customer service.

Typical examples of B2B applications are used to:

• Provide online self service to customers, partners and suppliers
• Provide online self service 24/7
• Provide product information to customers, suppliers and partners quickly
• Provide online Purchasing to your Customers
• Provide online collaboration

E-Commerce

Allow your customers to login and place their orders online. Buyer groups provide the appropriate discounts to product at the point of login. Online order tracking allows customers to track the status of their orders. Integration into existing inventory systems allows for seamless transaction processing.

Community Tools

Online Surveys or Polls, Threaded Discussion Forums, Online Project Management and Collaboration, Chat rooms, Round tables - these applications enable sites to create community features, build stickiness, and loyalty within their membership base.

CRM, PRM, ERP and e-Customer

an extremely large category of IT applications, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems enable customer facing sales and marketing functions, Partner Relation Management (PRM) systems enable partner facing functions, while Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems allow large companies to manage inventory and integrate into back-end processes.

Intranets

Private webs that provide one-to-one connections either over the Internet or within individual companies. Intranets are typically used to post Human Resources Information, Accounting Information, Group Calendars and Schedules, Policies and Procedures.

Extranets

Private webs that provide one-to-one connections either over the Internet or within individual companies. Unlike e-marketplaces, these networks are only available to those invited to the party. Allow suppliers and business partners to access specified data portals.

Fulfillment

Fulfillment software executes tasks such as bill of materials, order management, shipping management, returns and status tracking.

Marketing, Measurement, and Ad Distribution

Joining an ad network or using a third party provider to sell and buy advertisements, measure response rates and update your ad campaigns is becoming increasing popular.

Purchasing

Buying in the larger sense, applications can enable spot purchasing (using exchange or auction) or systematic purchasing (catalog mechanism).