4. Internet Benefits

The Internet's promise as a low cost transport mechanism with standardized formats and protocols offers many companies an alternative. For under $20 a month users can have Internet access via an Internet Services Provider (ISP); which is much less than the VAN's $50 monthly fee, not to mention the additional per transaction fees.

The Internet also offers broad connectivity that links networks around the world, supports ease of use infrastructure, and offers a platform-independent means to exchange information. With worldwide connections, the Internet can dynamically link buyers to any sellers even though no previous trading partnership exists. Gartner Group estimates that by the year 2003, 80 percent of the EDI transactions will be exchanged via the Internet or private and managed Internets, where the number of enterprises able to implement EDI will be close to one million out of a possible 30 million enterprises worldwide [5].