Existing customers pay an access or use-fee. An example of an access or use-fee is a phone bill, electric bill, or cable TV bill. Companies with a use-fee are typically utilities like telephone, gas, electricity, cable TV, and garbage collection. Other types of businesses with a use-fee are apartment houses and banks. Most use-based service companies are established businesses with a broad consumer base. Utility customers are familiar with their current use-for-pay billing system. Consumers are looking for ways to consolidate, simplify, and manage their budgets.

If your company is service oriented, you may want to create an online shopping and online purchasing service focused on convenience. That way, you entice customers to learn more about your services, teach them better ways to use your service, and lead them to buy additional services.

Service suppliers find an online purchasing site a better way to manage their costs. Use-based service companies are looking for ways to streamline business practices while maintaining service levels. Online billing is a method of providing new convenience- based services that benefit both the company and the consumer. By providing consumers with direct access to their bills, service companies can automate the process of sending out bills and processing payments, saving time for consumers and employees. Automating bill payments cuts costs (since fewer people are needed to process payments), increases cash flow (since money is electronically received), and provides better services (since consumers can access better bill management tools). Additionally, service suppliers can use mass customization online shopping and purchasing services to provide existing customers with information on existing and newly customized services for individuals based on their use patterns.

There are many successful strategies for companies to provide security to their web sites.

• There is a low probability that a hacker is targeting you or your company.
• Hackers tend to go after big name companies and organizations. They are often looking for recognition from other hackers.
• Companies that use currently accepted methods of safeguarding their technology assets probably will not be affected by hackers.
• Hackers usually cannot affect transactions that are being conducted using a secure server.

• By developing a site that uses secure server transactions, you can protect your company and your customers when buying online.
• Internet credit card transactions are generally safe than phone credit card sales, as long as they are encrypted.
• Encryption ensures that if a transaction is intercepted, it is unreadable.
• You should not create an e-commerce site unless you deploy secure server and encryption technology.

The Internet provides companies with the infrastructure to participate in the paradigm shift.

• You can move from providing general information or products to providing information or products customized to your visitors’ needs.
• To provide mass customization, two technologies are used: -Push technology: The seeker is automatically provided with information by being sent to the right place. This is similar to television, where the broadcaster sends information over the airwaves and the consumer chooses the channel of his or her choice.
• Pull technology: The seeker must express a need in order to receive information. This is similar to an ATM, where the consumer inputs her password and then receives account information specified by her.

The Internet is changing the way people work.

• Digitization-Employees now have the ability to store many types of information on a computer.
• Globalization-The Internet provides a global community:
• Employees and partners may be located anywhere.
• Mobility Employees now have access to information wherever they go.
• Workgroups-Employees from different locations can collaborate on projects.
• Immediacy-Employees can have real-time access to information wherever they are.