TEC 2010 and the Wook Lee Challenge

TEC 2010 and the Wook Lee Challenge
One of the TEC conference’s unique traditions is the annual Wook Lee Memorial MVP Pro-Am Challenge. I’ve provided some background about it before. The Challenge is a unique combination of left-brain and right brain activity, with about 24 hours to put it together and present it. It’s always fun to work with a typically high-powered brain trust engaged in creative yet geeky activities. This year Stewart Kwan was unable to make it (though we hope that will change next year), so Gil Kirkpatrick provided the Challenge – and thus neatly sidestepped getting himself involved in such shenanigans MCTS Training.

Challenge #1, assigned to Pamela Dingle, was to “Compose and recite haiku regarding claims-based authentication, federation, and PKI.” Here’s the Powerpoint slide show we cooked up in response. (Should you feel an overwhelming desire to have one of these on your desk as an inspirational poster, a PDF is available here.)

Challenge #2, assigned to Laura Hunter, was to write and perform a short play regarding an Active Directory forest melt down and recovery. Due to time pressures (she had actual real presentations to work on – go figure) Laura opted to write two sonnets instead. (You really need to see her performing them to get the full effect, and we’re working on that.)

Challenge #3, assigned to Brad Turner, was to simulate the function of the Forefront Identity Manager (FIM) sync engine using cardboard, duct tape, and string. Brad and his team did a great job; you definitely need to see the video when it becomes available to appreciate the degree of silliness these otherwise responsible adults engaged in. I’m sure it will become a mainstay of the FIM instructional curriculum MCITP Certification.

Why AD Replication Troubleshooting Is Hard

Why AD Replication Troubleshooting Is Hard
A couple of weeks ago at TEC 2010, I gave a session called Active Directory Replication Troubleshooting. Rather than just demonstrate a bunch of REPADMIN tricks (which I’ll certainly do here!), I focused on what I think are the core reasons IT pros have a difficult time troubleshooting replication problems. Half of them don’t have anything to do with replication.

The way I see it, there are four main reasons why troubleshooting AD in general, and AD replication in particular, is difficult:

* You aren’t really trained in a formal troubleshooting methodology.
* You don’t approach the problem logically and rigorously.
* You don’t really understand how replication works.
* You don’t understand how the tools work.

How much each of these applies to you depends on your background and your job. If you come from the scientific or engineering fields before you were an AD admin, you may be pretty good on the first two. If you’re a full time AD admin for a big company, or a hotshot AD consultant, you’re probably pretty good on the last two. But very few of us are good at all four. And you need all of them to be good at the really tough AD problems. Let’s take a look at the first point MCTS Training.

You aren’t really trained in a formal troubleshooting methodology. Most of us learned how to troubleshoot from our coworkers that were already working in our area. My undergraduate degree was in Electrical Engineering (though I can barely screw in a light bulb now), so I had developed a fair amount of rigor. But in my experience, IT pros aren’t consciously aware of following a formal methodology. Fortunately, there’s a good one lying around for you to simplify and use – the scientific method. Here’s a boiled-down version:

1. Use Your Experience. For example, a DC can’t communicate with its partners. Have you seen this before? Does this fit in a framework? What does the problem “smell like”?
2. Form a conjecture. Could a network firewall rule have changed?
3. Deduce a prediction from that explanation. Some, or all, connectivity will be lost between the DC and systems outside (but not inside) the firewall.
4. Test. Use ping and tracert to map out the connectivity.

This may sound overly simplistic, but what I’m trying to point out is that most troubleshooters aren’t actively aware of using a method. When you’re working through a complex problem, instinct will only take you so far; you need to consciously use a troubleshooting methodology MCITP Certification.

Next time I’ll lay out my favorite troubleshooting principles that fit into this methodology.

Microsoft MCTS Online Training Not Your Normal Summer Camp

Microsoft MCTS Online Training Not Your Normal Summer Camp
A Microsoft MCTS Online Training is a camp where professionals can receive their Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer MCTS training in a short period of time. It is an actual camp that takes you away from your surroundings and places you in a highly intensive atmosphere of training. MCTS refers to a person who has passed all required exams about Microsoft’s Windows NT operating system and all related applications. There are many types of settings for this training program such as high schools as a location for training, online training courses through Microsoft or at a MCTS certification boot camp.

There are other camps such as the MCTS boot camp that serves and functions in the same way that the Microsoft MCTS Online Training does but offers training in targeting specific technologies. There are 20 different MCTS certifications that can obtained with each one having multiple courses and multiple exams.

A MCTS certification boot camp or a MCTS boot camp will cost you and most fees for the intense training include the course fee, the exam fee, course material, room and board and other services. One perk about the camps is that they can be located any where in the world. Some camps may be in a location that will allow you to enjoy a small vacation in between training. How does a beach resort grab you? Or a training camp in the Himalaya Mountains? These are locations that some certified camps are located in. A Microsoft MCTS Online Training will provide you with everything to help you succeed from small class sizes, hands on labs and one on one tutoring if needed. Most will offer you pre tests to help you prepare for your final exams.

The price for a stay at a MCTS certification boot camp ranges anywhere from the thousands of dollars and the longer your training is the more you will pay. There are situations where you may need to stay longer for any number of reasons and some camps will allow you to extend your stay for an additional fee.

You can think of a Microsoft MCTS Online Training as summer camp in some ways. For instance, great locations, room and board provided and daily activities but remember this is very intense training program that teaches professionals the technical knowledge to become Microsoft certified. This is not a camp for a beginner PC user but for users that have highly advanced skills when it comes to computers.

Curriculum Specialist Jobs

Curriculum Specialist Jobs
Curriculum specialist jobs are important to our educational system, although the average person probably does not know much about this job. The curriculum specialist job description is basically to assess the effectiveness of a schools curriculum in order to best meet the needs of the students. These well-educated professionals must be able to meet with advisory committees, work alongside school staff, review or recommend textbooks and related equipment or tools, direct instructional materials, develop curriculum and more or Microsoft MCITP Certification.

The curriculum specialist salary varies depending on the location, type of school or district, education level and experience. The median expected salary for curriculum specialists in the United States is $64,743, but it will be lower in the beginning of ones career and higher as one gains additional experience. In most cases, curriculum specialist jobs require a masters degree. Public school systems also require that the individual is licensed to hold this job, either as a teacher or as an educational administrator. The required training in curriculum development and instruction, as well as training in a particular subject area in some cases, is why the curriculum specialist salary is higher than that of a typical schoolteacher or Microsoft MCTS Training.

Since the curriculum specialist job description includes so many skills, tasks and knowledge areas associated with the teaching job, many of the curriculum specialists currently working are former teachers. Educational administrators, even principals, often choose to take this career path when they are ready for a new challenge or just looking to step into a different role.

About 40 percent of all curriculum specialists work for public schools, 20 percent work for private schools, and the rest work for consulting agencies, family service providers and state governments. It is a challenging job requiring a level head and good critical thinking and analysis skills, as well as people skills. Many curriculum specialists also have technology knowledge and various language skills, as two of the fastest growing segments of this career are in the technology and English as a Second Language curriculum. If you choose this educational career, you will have many options available to you. Career Explained

How To Select The Most Appropriate Microsoft Certification

How To Select The Most Appropriate Microsoft Certification
Include MCSA Certification
Training to your resume and notice how it helps your career path. Microsoft has introduced many targeted certification programs. These certification programs do not only provide a new career choice to those who are in search of a career, but also offers expertise improvement knowledge to those who are employed in different career fields.

In case you are a Software Application Developer, you must consider adding MCAD (Microsoft Certified Application Developed) and MCPD (Microsoft Certified Professional Developer) certifications to your resume. MCPD will sharpen your skills related to software development on a variety of platforms using Microsoft NET Framework 2.0. Those who want to improve their analyzing and designing expertise must certainly go for MCSD (Microsoft Certified Solution Developer). This will let you grab the chance of having complete knowledge of the application lifecycle from analysis through design, testing, development and maintenance.

If you are a system engineer, then you can go for several Microsoft Certification courses, such as MCSE or MCSA. These courses will always be an added advantage in your career path. MCSE provides you the ability of enhancing your skills related to analysis of business requirements and design and implementation of infrastructures. Being an IT Business Analysts, you should go for MCP or MCSD certifications; the better opportunity is to start with an Office Specialist Certification. The particular certification will make you an expert in using Microsoft Office products. After having the Certification for Office Specialist, you should then go on to add MCP. At the same time, the certification of MCSD would be the final certification in your field. This is as it would cover the complete application lifecycle including analysis, design, testing, development and maintenance. Office Specialist Certification is quite helpful for technical writers, office managers and executive assistants MCTS Training.

On the other hand, if you are a System Analyst, then you would take advantage of MCAD or MCSD certifications. The first certification will make you familiar with the application lifecycle from development to maintenance. Conversely, if you truly want to develop your career path, you must go for MCSD, which will teach you everything about the application lifecycle.
For Software engineers, Microsoft offers MCSD and MCITP Certification; the first one will make you sharpen your skills in designing and development using Microsoft development tools, technologies and platforms and the later one will equip you with the skills to analyze, design and implement infrastructures.

70-291 Question Answers are particularly designed for Network Administrators. If you are a regular user of Microsoft Windows and back office applications, the particular certification will help you adding knowledge to do the analysis, design and implementing infrastructures. So regardless of the field you are in, you can take advantage of all Microsoft certifications. The foremost thing to be decided is the certification which will work the best for you and then ensue from there. You can improve your skills and you can perform better. This is how you can enjoy a more productive career path.

70-620: Configuring Microsoft Windows Vista Client

Technical professionals that are studying to take free exam questions: Configuring Microsoft Windows Vista Client are expected to have at least one year of experience in a midsized corporate / enterprise environment with at least a good portion of that time dedicated to working directly with all of the different versions of Windows Vista. This would include the base operating system functionality and its configuration, customization of the client OS, problem troubleshooting (all types) and dealing with customers (customer service) and understanding business needs (enterprise readiness).

You would also need to have experience resolving issues concerning network connectivity, desktop operating systems, security, and applications. Additional experience would also include addressing logon problems, performing password resets, and resolving most issues with desktop applications.

My exam was taken this morning – I was seriously unimpressed with the 70-620. It covers configuring Vista – or at least the new features, UAC, the Wireless connectivity, presentation settings etc etc.

If this is your very first Microsoft exam then its an easy introduction – if you have any significant history with Microsoft exams you will find it very easy – too easy.

Microsofts MCTS Training: Windows Vista, Configuration (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist) certification is a latest certification on the Windows Vista technology. The MCTS: Windows Vista,Configuration certification has been designed for professionals who have a thorough knowledge in installing, managing and configuring Windows Vista including new features such as security,network, and applications.

The MCITP certification is also available on Microsoft SQL Server 2005 and free certification exam papers.

Getting MCTS Windows Vista certified is easy. Some companies have partnership with certain Prometric and Pearson VUE testing centres. This partnership facilitates those people that are interested to have their exams completed by proxy. This means that when they have received the basic candidate information they can complete any exam for anybody. And you will get certified.You can get your money back, if they do not pass your exams.

The questions are about which menu option do you choose or which button do you click. Very little, if any, understanding of the underlying concepts is required to pass this exam.

I thought the NT exams were fairly easy. Things started to get more challenging with the Windows 2000 and Windows 2003 exams. This is a complete reversal.

I hope this isn’t setting the standard for exams to come in the Windows 2008 wave of products.

We are proud to offer you a specialized service for IT professionals that are interested in having the certification process dealt with quickly, and without any problems. When you provide us with the necessary information that is required to have the certification in your name, we can get the exams done for you securely and professionally.

Your exams will be passed at a partnered authorized Prometric or Pearson VUE testing center by one of our contracted free practice tests. When the exams are finished, you will be able to verify your certification status on the official vendor’s website and receive your certificates at home, exactly the same as if you had done the exam yourself.

Better Budgets And Projected Profits

Better Budgets And Projected Profits
No company makes so much money that they needn’t care about wasting it. It’s important, particularly if your business is new, both to keep a close eye on where the pennies are going, and to be aware of whether they’re being put to optimal use. Effective and efficient management of the company’s budget can mean the difference between success and failure in a competitive market. But it’s not always easy to do so; even if you’re precisely monitoring incomes and expenditures, it’s never as simple to calculate how those figures will pan out in the future, and what impact any changes you make will have.

Fortunately, you don’t have to do all that yourself. Integral to Microsoft MCTS Training Project is a budget and resource management tool – greatly enhanced for the latest (2007) edition – which can be used to ensure that limited funds and resources are being put to the best use.

Controlling limited budgets
One key advantage to budget and resource management with Project comes when you seek to adjust the allocation of resources to a particular part of your business – for instance, an increase in the share of your budget that goes on marketing. With Project, you can see instantly what impact this will have on the rest of your organisation, and where savings and efficiencies will have to be found in order to make the change workable. You can also see – automatically highlighted by the software – the effect of this change on the company’s output, and from this evaluate whether the projected profits are worth it, when set alongside costs to the business caused by the change.

What’s more, Project isn’t limited to monetary considerations. Perhaps you’re looking to focus on a particular part of your business; for example, a taxi company may have won a regular contract from the public sector, requiring a certain number of journeys every day. This will take drivers away from serving ordinary customers, and with Project, you can assess the impact on your company by increasing the number of man hours worked in one department and reducing it in another.

Seeing the future
Microsoft Project doesn’t just allow you to assess current changes. And although committing to a decision, hoping it works out well, is certainly one way to approach the progress of your business, it really isn’t the best. Thanks to Project, you can make those decisions, bring in those changes, and see how everything will pan out, all without having to commit to anything.

The multi-level undo tool allows you to factor into your budgets and plans many different changes, and to pick and choose which to take out if it’s not working. Perhaps you have three new ideas you’d like to consider – with Project, you can simply and easily try any combination of the three, without having to enter every different possibility separately. Or perhaps you have a scheme of different steps to take, and you’d like to see whether you’d be better off with or without the step in the middle. Project can show you how every idea or combination of ideas you have will impact upon your budget and resources, allowing you to see clearly which option offers the best way to take your business forward MCITP Certification.

Keeping scope in check
Scope creep is an inherent risk to any project your business may be embarking upon, and can create significant losses of time and money. It is important to keep under control and in clear sight the intentions of the process, and the means established for fulfilling those intentions. With Microsoft Project, you can keep a precise record of what needs to be done, when, and what resources will need to be devoted to it; plus, if you need to make a change, perhaps devoting more time to one part of the process, then Project can ensure that the whole stays within its established limits. This way, scope remains as restricted as you want it to be, and does not even begin to creep, does not start to put unnecessary strains on your budget.

Microsoft Project can give you a vital degree of control over your budgeting and resources, ensuring that nothing is wasted and your business progresses optimally. With a short training course, you can get to grips with every facet of this powerful tool, and get every possible advantage for your business.

Barcoding Extensions For Microsoft Dynamics Gp: Rms, Wms, Supply Chain Management

Barcoding Extensions For Microsoft Dynamics Gp: Rms, Wms, Supply Chain Management
Dynamics GP, or how it was known several years ago Great Plains Dynamics and eEnterprise, is popular Corporate ERP and MRP platform for mid-size businesses with robust integration set of tools and ISV add-ons. If your organization has wholesale warehouses, or retail stores and you deploy such applications as Microsoft RMS, Counterpoint, and you are looking forward to pick Warehouse Management System with advanced Supply Chain elements, such as consignment, B2B or B2C eCommerce, see this small publication as the orientation session MCTS Training:

1.Barcode Scanning as background technology layer. We favor direct Barcoding WMS extension for such Dynamics GP modules as Sales Order Processing, Purchase Order Processing, Inventory Control, Bill of Materials, and in some cases Manufacturing modules. This method has WMS barcode scanning client and server application to create transactions and master records directly in GP tables and provides apparent real time integration. The opposite approach suggests external WMS with various connectors to GP or another Corporate ERP application. Classical WMS features are Order Fulfillment on the warehouse floor by picking and packing (SOP Order manual line allocation in GP Sales Order by barcode scanning), Merchandize replenishment (POP Purchase Receipt in GP) and Inventory transactions (Adjustments, Transfers from one warehouse to another, Physical count in GP)

2.Retail and POS (Point Of Sale) integrations to Dynamics GP. One of the most popular scenarios is Microsoft RMS integration to Great Plains, where you can deploy our approach on the Headquarters level or just in Store Operation Manager. Technically HQ and SOM have similar DB structure, where HQ has Store ID, as it consolidates all the Stores into HQ database at the end of the sales day. We move POS transactions directly to Dynamics GP Sales Order Processing Invoice for Walk-In (typical retail store scenario) or On Account customer (clubs, memberships, ecommerce stores, etc.). Often we see the requirements to control Inventory Purchases directly in Great Plains as well as print Barcode Labels from your ERP system (and not from RMS or another POS or retail application). We enable merchandize barcode label printing at the point of POP Purchase Receipt in Great Plains POP module the most popular Barcode label printing tool is Crystal Reports, however the same job could be done in Great Plains Report Writer, SSRS (Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services) and even in Excel or Microsoft Access, if you connect them to GP database tables via ODBC

3.eCommerce POS. Yes, we consider ecommerce B2B or B2C shopping cart, such as Magento to be similar in its integration requirements to generic POS transaction and we are reshaping our Microsoft RMS to GP and eCommerce integration wizards to walk you through similar integration setup steps

4.SCM or going beyond typical Warehouse Management System features. Good scenario could be Food delivery on the consignment contract to Vending machine centers, Deli stores and Restaurants. We have various Consignment algorithms to offer and would like to hear your story to make recommendations Microsoft MCITP Certification.

5.Expanding Internationally. Dynamics GP is localized for most of the English speaking countries, plus it is available in French Canadian in Quebec/Montreal, in Spanish in Latin America and Caribbean region, in Arabic in the Middle East. Great Plains Dynamics GP is very popular across all the regions of Africa. Also it is possible to enable Dynamics GP for just language support (without being formally complaint to local Tax code) in Chinese, Japanese, Korean, German, French, Portuguese, Swedish, Dutch and more languages are coming, please check with us

6.How to request further help? Please call us 1-866-528-0577, 1-630-961-5918, email us at help@albaspectrum.com or skype us at albaspectrum

7.Bonus Topic SAP Business One in the international environment as the alternative to Microsoft Dynamics GP. Corporate ERP localization respect and awareness are important, especially when you have to deal with your overseas subsidiaries in large countries, such as Brazil, China, Russia, Japan, Korea, India. Dynamics GP has limitations, incorporated in its Great Plains Dexterity platform it doesnt support Unicode or hieroglyph based alphabets. You can try to resolve this problem by such facilitators as NJ Star. But in our opinion the easiest and probably cost minimizing approach would be to pick small business ERP software localized for your targeted country very good candidate is SAP Business One

Microsoft Certifications For It Professionals

Microsoft Certifications For It Professionals

The Microsoft certifications for IT professionals provide a series of credentials for individuals to demonstrate their levels of knowledge and proficiency for using Microsoft technology in the realm of computer systems, networking infrastructure,
and database infrastructure. The following Microsoft certification titles are available to IT professionals:
MCITP Training (Microsoft Certified IT Professional)The MCITP credentials offer technology professionals the opportunity to highlight their particular skills in a specific area of expertise. The MCITP  certification titles include such specialized expertise as a database developer, a database administrator, and a business intelligence developer. The current IT Professional certifications include the following designations:

. IT Professional: Database Developer
. IT Professional: Database Administrator
. IT Professional: Business Intelligence Developer
. MCSA (Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator)This certification is for anyone who possesses a high level of networking expertise with Microsoft operating systems and software products. This credential is designed to prepare individuals to manage, maintain, and support information systems, networks, and internetworks built around the Microsoft Windows Server System and Windows XP and Windows 2000 desktop computers. MCSA candidates must pass four exams to become certified. Microsoft currently
offers two tracks for the MCSA credentialMCSA on Windows 2000 and MCSA on Windows Server 2003. The exam requirements for attaining
each MCSA credential are detailed in Tables I.1 and I.2. MCSA on Windows 2000 SpecializationsAfter a candidate successfully passes the three required core exams, he has the options to specialize in the areas of Messaging and/or Security. A candidate earns the specialization title of MCSA on Windows 2000:Messaging by passing one of the following elective exams as listed in Table I.170-680 Exam covering Exchange 2000 Server or Exam 70-680 covering Exchange Server 2003. A candidate earns the specialization title of MCSA on Windows 2000:Security by passing two of the following elective exams also listed in Table I.1Exam 70-680 covering security
in a Windows 2000 network plus one of the following three exams:


There are many online resources for preparing for the 70-680 exam. Read below to discover why Certkingdom is your premier source for practice tests, and true testing environment.

You reasons for selecting the leader in online certification preparation – Certkingdom.

We are all well aware that a major problem in the IT industry is that there is a lack of quality study materials. Our 70-680 Preparation Exam Material provides you everything you will need to take a certification examination. Details are researched and produced

by Certification Experts who are constantly using industry experience to produce precise, logical for the answers.

Disruptive Technologies: Did We See Them Coming?

Disruptive Technologies: Did We See Them Coming?
Disruptive technologies have a way of sneaking up on mainstream markets, and slowly making their presence felt. These are technologies that established players brushed off as inconsequential, and hence paid no heed to the potential damage they could wreak on their established or potential markets. Eventually though, they worked their way from the fringes to prevail over the majority.

Clayton M. Christensen first spoke of disruptive technologies in a 1995 article titled Disruptive Technologies: Catching the Wave, which he co-authored with Joseph Bower. He later described the term in more detail in his 1997 book, The Innovator’s Dilemma. However, in a sequel titled The Innovator’s Solution, Christensen interestingly replaced the term disruptive technology with disruptive innovation, to highlight that “few technologies are intrinsically disruptive or sustaining in character. It is the strategy or business model that the technology enables that creates the disruptive impact.”
We look at a few disruptive innovations in the IT industry Like Microsoft MCTS Training that radically changed the way we worked. Interestingly, radical change is not always for the better. The use or misuse of any technology often depends on the perspective and intention of the user. For this reason, the opinions presented below highlight the major role a usage code could play for any technology.

…and the microprocessor was born!

Srihari Boregowda, director and CTO, Canarys Automations Ltd, recalls the summer of 1984, when he had just begun his final year in BE, Electronics. The afternoon lab session was being conducted by the head of the department. It was the class’s first exposure to the “Microprocessor Kit.” Further, he reminisces, “Ours was the first batch to study about microprocessors (the Intel 8085) as part of the course curriculum. Our professor demonstrated a 1ft x 1ft kit with a red LED and a hexadecimal keyboard,to key in the instruction to add two numbers from the user and display the result. After 25 minutes of keying in (well rehearsed) he executed the program on the kit.” That was it! Call it love at first sight or anything else, but it triggered off the young student’s dream of a career wherein he could create industrial products.
Boregowda believes the technology was disruptive because of its stored program, which unleashed creativity (as there was no longer a need to change wires to change functionality or behaviour). It made use of a keyboard and display,these represented its interactive nature, and the empowerment of the end user. It was economical,it could be owned by an individual, and thus stood for economy in the digital world (increasing capacity with decreasing cost) MCITP Certification.

As for the impact the microprocessor made on him, he says, “It is only when I tried to do it on my own that I realised the real meaning of disruption. The microprocessor has a logic of its own, which to us humans can be classified as illogical and often tiresome. That was my first introduction to the world of IT and programming. Although I am still hooked, I continue to wonder about its logic!”

The Internet scores

When it came to identifying a disruptive technology, Deepak Kukreja, head,strategic planning at Moser Baer India Ltd, chose the Internet. He goes on to mention that the disruption it has caused spreads far beyond technology, and has ramifications across the value chain from consumer branding to distribution, and order fulfilment to supply chains.

According to Kukreja, “The Internet was (and still is) the technology driving Amazon. While the Internet was the technological backbone, its commercialisation eliminated the need for brick-and-mortar stores, thus causing a disruptive scenario.” Why disruptive? He explains, “The Internet provides complete access to information to just about everyone, thereby eliminating the opportunity for organisations to make money by capitalising on consumers’ incomplete information. What this means is that consumers can directly compare product or service offerings and opt for the lowest offering, unless the product/service is appropriately differentiated. This leads to greater emphasis on brand-building and re-inventing your value proposition, lest your brand gets commoditised.”

“In a way, this has changed the fundamental paradigm of competition itself. For instance, travellers are now not solely dependent on travel agents. They can use websites like makemytrip.com, yatra.com, or travelguru.com to plan and book their travel itineraries. However, since all of these websites essentially offer similar services, each needs to entice customers by building its brand in a specific manner. For example, they could offer personalised travel or holiday services to create differentiation, or offer loyalty programmes to frequent users of the website.

“Further, the Internet provides an order-fulfilment or delivery mechanism that can create value by compressing the supply chain for consumers. You are no longer forced to go via the stockist, wholesaler, distributor and retailer route. Several firms have eliminated the middleman and passed on benefits directly to consumers, like lower prices or faster turnaround time. New business models have sprouted around this proposition,such as Netflix in the US or Madhouse in India (a DVD rental firm). Finally, the Internet also provides customers an interactive platform to connect with organisations. Companies may avail of online consumer feedback, and some companies go so far as to even get consumers into designing new products for them.”

As Kukreja emphasises, “It is not the availability of technology that is a key success factor, but its use that distinguishes the men from the boys.” He cites WalMart as a company that has used technology, and its application in inventory management, as a core competitive advantage over its competitors.