Towards a Method for Business Networking

Abstract

Translating the key success factors developed in Chapter 12 into implemented processes and applications represents a major challenge. In order to reach Business Networking goals, such as improved customer care or reduced inventories, business partners have to be convinced, business processes among the partners have to be agreed upon, and the strategic and process scenario has to be translated into enabling IT applications. Some of the specific questions which arose in the various cases discussed in previous chapters are:

• What is a proven sequence for proceeding in a Business Networking project? What are the major steps and what are suitable techniques for ensuring quick and successful implementation?

• How is networkability assessed and which networking scenario (cf. Chap. 3.3) meets our strategic goals? What is the return on investment of this solution?

• Are partners needed for the realization of the solution? How is the participation of future users ensured and how are partner relationships organized?

• What tools are chosen and how can they be integrated into existing system landscapes? What are the implications of the networking solution for the overall application and service architecture?