Web Site Design and Development

Need for Internet Access

Doing business on the Internet is rapidly becoming a standard way of life. In fact it is a standard way of life for many businesses, organizations, and individuals. The Internet provides a number of different services that businesses find increase their productivity and help lower overhead expenses.

Locate Business Resources

With a high-speed Internet connection you and your staff can quickly and efficiently locate resources needed for operating your business. There are a variety of open databases on the Internet that provide access to every imaginable product or service. By accessing any of these databases you will locate what you need, and how to obtain it. No more searching through phone books and other directories, no more endless phone calls trying to find a needed part, no more leaving messages and waiting for a representative (hopefully the right representative) to get back to you.

Discussion Groups and Forums

Maintain contact with fellow professionals and keep abreast of the latest news and developments in your field. There are a variety of discussion groups and forum accessible on the Internet. Usenet (newsgroups) and mailing lists (e-mail list servers) are two of the most popular. These groups, out of thousands, cover every possible subject field. By subscribing (at no cost) to the appropriate group, you can view and take part in the discussions, find what troubles and concerns your peers have encountered, learn about solutions to common and unique problems, discover new methods and products to enhance your business, and post requests or questions about any concern you may have. These groups and forums provide many of the same benefits as a business convention, but you do not have to spend valuable time away, and you will not acquire more travel and lodging expenses by using these groups.

Set-Up a E-Mail Service

With an Internet connection you and your staff can have e-mail services. This provides an efficient means for communicating with customers and clients. E-mail enhances intra-office communications. Memos and documents can easily be passed between staff members, especially if a staff member is out of town at a remote location or working different hours. E-mail also provides for the quick and effective transmission of documents, proposals, specification, and other files to both customers and suppliers. The e-mail is faster than any other mail service and unlike a fax machine, it maintains perfect clarity and resolution of the documents.

Establish a Web Site

By having your own Internet connection, it is a simple matter to establish an Internet presence for your business with a web site. A web site provides continuous and automatic availability to your business for both established and potential customers and clients.

Advantages Over a Dial-In Accounts

Though a high-speed permanent connection is more expensive than a dial-in Internet access account, there are many advantages to the high-speed line. A number of your staff can use the line simultaneously, all performing different tasks and using different protocols. Each staff member can have a unique Internet address. Access is unlimited, no restrictions on time or the amount of traffic. It is easy to access, no busy signals or bottlenecks which sometimes happens with a dial-in account. Waiting time for large file downloads are dramatically reduced.

Line Speed

56K	Operates at 56,000 bits per second	The best choice for most sites. Can handle several thousands of requests per day.
T1	Operates at 1,500,000 bits per second	For exceptionally high traffic, typically not needed except for large multi-site multi-use servers.
Fractional T1	Typically available as 1/12th of a full T1	Provides a lower cost option to a full T1, where traffic is still high, but not high enough to warrant leasing a T1.
Frame Relay	A line sharing and switching scheme	Provides lower cost for portions of the leased lines (where available).

Summary

A high-speed connection will provide quick effective use of the Internet. Your business will enjoy the full benefits that the Internet offers. Once you use the Internet you will be amazed at all the things that you and your staff are able to do.