Abstract
M.Comm.
This study was conducted with the intent of understanding and evaluating the commercial use
and possibilities that the Internet offers, as well as the strategic approach businesses should
take when commencing with electronic commerce on the Internet. The potential value of
Intranets and Extranets has also been examined briefly.
The Internet is a very useful mechanism for marketing as well as sales of products or services
on a domestic or international basis. Various other commercial possibilities and uses exist for
the Internet, as well as for its derivatives — the Intranet and Extranet. In the fiercely
competitive market of today, companies research, develop and invest resources in various
methods and tools in the hope to gain competitive advantage over their rivals. The Internet,
Intranet and Extranet, used in isolation or conjunction, pose an extremely attractive
alternative to gaining competitive advantage in a specific sector or market niche.The success of the Internet as a business tool depends directly on the overall business strategy
that is driving the approach. For optimum success the main business strategy must be aligned
with the Information Technology Strategy, and especially include thorough consideration as
well as planning when implementing the Internet or one of its derivatives as a business tool.