The Internet - A Tool for Business

Note: Some of the Web sites included below contain information from organizations that are not subject to the federal Official Languages Act or the French Language Services Act of Ontario.  Their information and services may not be available in both official languages.

Summary

Introduction

The development of the Internet has made accessing information a lot easier and played an important role in moving Canada into the "Information Age".  The Internet is basically a worldwide system of computers all connected together.  If you are using a computer connected to the Internet, you can, if you have permission, get information from any other computer connected to the system.

So, the Internet is not a single computer or a single computer network.  It is a more complex collection of different computers and networks, each with different capabilities and services.  However, in most cases, you do not have to be concerned with how the connections between the different computers work or with how the different computer programs in use operate.  The computer you are using, with its connection to the Internet and its own programs, allows you to access the majority of services available on the Internet.  These services are easy to use and often more convenient than the conventional methods of accessing and distributing information.

Many people have a connection to the Internet from a computer at home or at work.  In addition, there are Internet access points available to the public in communities across Ontario: for example, the vast majority of public library branches in Ontario provide Internet access for the public.  All Ontario public libraries that provide public access to the Internet also provide access to government electronic information and services. 

For further information:
see the document  Business Information Services at Ontario’s public libraries .

The Internet offers a wide variety of services that might be of use to your business, but many businesses use the Internet in four main ways:

This document just presents an overview of the different ways you can use the Internet. Through Student Connections, a program that hires and trains students and graduates to provide Canadian businesses with customized Internet training, you can learn a great deal more about using the Internet for research, communication, networking and advertising. You can contact this program at the coordinates listed below under "Ontario Contact".

As a Research Tool

The Internet has a vast collection of information that businesses can use to stay competitive in the market place.  With this information, you can keep up to date, discover new products or find new suppliers around the world.

By using a Web Browser, you can access such Internet distribution services as the World Wide Web (or "Web") and Newsgroups.  The Web allows users to download information to their computer.  Once the information has been downloaded, you can print and/or save the document(s) on your own computer.  Newsgroups allow users to "post" questions to an electronic bulletin board.  Once posted, your question can be read and answered by anyone viewing that Newsgroup.  Both the federal and provincial governments have Web sites with information that may assist your business.

For further information:
visit these Web sites:
Canada-Ontario Business Service Centre
http://www.cbsc.org/ontario
Industry Canada - Strategis
http://strategis.gc.ca
Researching Markets
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/sc_x/engdoc/researching_markets.html?guides=e_res
Tips and Suggestions for Internet Research
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/inee-ef.nsf/vwGeneratedInterE/h_ee00525e.html

Many different resources are available to help you search for information on the Internet, such as search engines, directories, people finders and Newsgroups.

For further information:
visit these Web sites:
Online Sources
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/inee-ef.nsf/vwGeneratedInterE/h_ee00526e.html
Search Engines and Directories
http://dir.yahoo.com/computers_and_internet/internet/world_wide_web/searching_the_web/search_engines_and_directories/

As a Communication Tool

One of the most popular services of the Internet is e-mail.  With e-mail, businesses can keep in contact with customers around the globe, other entrepreneurs and business associates.  It is an easy way for customers to provide feedback to a company.  Some people find e-mail superior to conventional methods of communication (phone, fax, and mail) because it is faster, cheaper and often more convenient to use. Chat forums and message boards are another form of online communication. Although these methods require a little more technical know-how, they are gaining in popularity due to the potential for immediate communication that they offer.

For further information:
visit these Web sites:
e-mail Communication
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/inee-ef.nsf/en/h_ee00333e.html
Mailing Lists
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/inee-ef.nsf/vwGeneratedInterE/h_ee00334e.html
Public Discussion Technologies
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/inee-ef.nsf/vwGeneratedInterE/h_ee00336e.html

As a Networking Tool

Currently, the most popular form of networking is e-mail; however, many companies have adopted the use of intranets and extranets to keep in constant contact with business associates, affiliate companies and/or departments and business partners across the globe. The use of intranets and extranets allows businesses to streamline and integrate processes. They also allow for access in "real time" to databases, inventory records, etc. Intranets and extranets enable all parties to post, view, edit and comment on documents or discussion topics.

For further information:
visit these Web sites:
Transforming your Workforce into a Cyberforce
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/pics/ss/tmi-en.pdf

As an Advertising Medium

One of the more obvious business uses of the Internet is advertising.  Every year, marketing and advertising teams spend billions of dollars trying to sell products or services.  More and more businesses are discovering that they can use the Internet as an advertising medium, sometimes for less than 5% of the traditional costs.  The opportunity to reach a potential customer base in the millions is an opportunity not to be overlooked.

Some of the great advantages of the Internet:

• The Internet has no geographic boundaries.  You can access new markets all over the world with minimal costs;
• You can reach customers all over the world.  By using e-mail you can keep in contact with your customers at a very low cost; and
• The Web allows you to market and sell products or services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Note: When moving into a foreign market, whether you use the Internet or more traditional methods, you must be careful to comply with all applicable export and import requirements.

For further information:
visit these Web sites:
Electronic Business
http://strategis.gc.ca/epic/internet/inretra-comde.nsf/en/h_qn00005e.html
Online Marketing Overview
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/inee-ef.nsf/vwGeneratedInterE/h_ee00224e.html
Strategis' list of E-Business Diagnostic Tools
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/inee-ef.nsf/vwGeneratedInterE/h_ee00192e.html
see the document  E-Business Info-Guide.

Other Internet Uses

The Internet has a variety of other uses.  Here are some of the many uses that companies have found:

• providing human resources information;
• customer service and support;
• remote office support;
• public relations;
• selling products and offering product information;
• corporate profiles; and
• facilitate investor relations / track stock performance.

Common Internet Terms

• Download: Transfer files from a remote computer to your computer.
  
  
• E-business: The conduct of business on the Internet.  This includes the buying and selling of goods and services as well as communicating and/or collaborating with business partners, customers, employees, etc. 
  
  
• E-mail: (Electronic Mail) The transmission of correspondence and documents from one computer to another via telecommunications.
  
  
• E-marketing: Any form of advertising (i.e. banners, logos/pictures/graphics, Web sites, Web pages, pop-up windows, e-mail, newsletters, etc.) on the Internet.
  
  
• Extranet: A private network that uses the Internet protocol and the public telecommunications system to securely share part of a business's information or operations with suppliers, vendors, partners, customers, or other businesses. An extranet can be viewed as part of a company's intranet (see below) that is extended to users outside the company.
  
  
• FTP: (File Transfer Protocol) One of the first developed Internet Services that allowed users to move files from one place to another.  It enables you to connect to a computer on the Internet and (as long as you are allowed to save on that computer) transfer any type of file: programs, text, pictures, sound, etc.
  
  
• Internet: A vast collection of networks from around the globe.  Each network in the collection has a physical connection to one or more of the other networks; thus, all networks on the Internet are connected.  The Internet includes many services such as FTP, Telnet, and the World Wide Web (Web).
  
  
• Intranet: A private network that is contained within an enterprise. The main purpose of an intranet is to share company information and computing resources among employees. An intranet can also be used to facilitate working in groups and for teleconferences. Information contained on the Intranet can be secure through the use of firewalls and encryption/decryption devices.
  
  
• Modem: (Modulator-Demodulator) A device used to send and receive data over telecommunications lines.
  
  
• Network: A set of interconnected computers that can exchange information over long distances.
  
  
• Newsgroup: (also known as Usenet) Refers to a mechanism that supports discussion groups.  In many ways, you can think of Usenet as an organized electronic mail (e-mail) system, except there is no single user that mail is sent to.  Instead, the messages that are sent are available to anyone who accesses that Newsgroup.
  
  
• Search Engines: Tools you can use free of charge that help you locate information on the Web.
  
  
• TCP/IP: (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) The standard communication protocol of the Internet. It allows for transferring data on the Internet itself, as well as on many local area networks.
  
  
• Telnet: A program that allows you (using a telephone line and a modem) to connect two computers together. Once they are connected, one computer can execute commands on the other. They can therefore function the same as a network server with a workstation (or terminal) connected to it.
  
  
• Web Browser: Software designed to facilitate electronic "travel" across the World Wide Web.  Typically, Web Browsers operate on a graphical interface that is easy to use.
  
  
• World Wide Web: (Web or WWW) Allows anyone to easily access and display documents that are stored on a computer anywhere on the Internet.
  

Web Sites of Interest

Business Development Bank of Canada
http://www.bdc.ca/

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/home.shtml

Canada Revenue Agency
http://www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca

Canada Border Service Agency
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

Canadian Women's Business Network
http://www.cdnbizwomen.com/

Canadian Bankers Association
http://www.cba.ca

Canadian Franchise Association
http://www.cfa.ca/

• Important Notices
• List of Fact Sheets

Adapted with permission from "Doing Business on the Internet" Source: Daniel Dern. The Internet: Information Highway for Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs Prepared by: Saskatchewan Economic and Co-operative Development, Regional Economic Development Service