Background and policy
eBusiness is growing rapidly. Twenty two percent of the UK population regularly uses the Internet, with 33% of organisations using or intending to use the Internet for buying and/or selling purposes. This situation looks set to flourish further as access to the Internet becomes available through digital television and games consoles, on the move through mobile phones, or at local public access points.

The Government's policy is to encourage electronic commerce, with the ambition of making the UK the best place in the world for electronic trading. It also aims to have 100% of all Government services deliverable online by 2005. A high percentage of routine Government procurement is already carried out electronically.

There are excellent reasons for doing business electronically. Depending on the nature of the business and its market, trading on the Internet often promises greater market penetration, increased customer response, more flexibility and lower costs. It's also possible to forge closer relationships with customers and suppliers. Electronic links facilitate easy, fast, effective communication, allowing development of business relationships, innovation in goods and their delivery, and improved efficiency.

 
Towards a definition
eBusiness is used to describe how digital networks are used to make the processing of information within and between businesses more efficient.

Narrow definitions focus on buying and selling of goods or services over electronic networks, such as the Internet. This might be between businesses, between businesses and consumers, or between the public and private sectors. While the sale is transacted electronically, the ultimate delivery of the goods or services may be conducted on or off-line.

Broader definitions of eBusiness  also include "process eCommerce" - which covers activities between businesses for intermediate goods and process information done by electronic means. In a general sense, eBusiness describes how companies are using information gathered electronically to improve their business processes and relationships with suppliers and consumers. This potentially covers all business areas, such as design, production, operations, customer service, as well as buying and selling.

UK Online for Business
The principal Government service for eBusiness is UK online for business. UK online for business offers resources and support to help businesses, whatever stage they are at. To find out more, go directly to the UK online for business website available from Related DTI sites.