From the Publisher
The ultimate insider's guide to the information economy,
Enterprise.com offers the most incisive and powerful vision
to date of the technology revolution. From his vantage point
as CEO of one of the most progressive and widely-known
software companies, Jeff Papows offers a rare glimpse into
the future of business, society, and culture in a truly
networked world.
Papows begins with the assumption that information
technology (IT) has already permeated all facets of
business--from automating systems and processes to empowering
teams to redefining the most basic concepts of commerce (such
as "customer," "market," and
"inudstry"), as organizations come to grips with
the dynamics of a truly borderless, twenty-four-hour world.
He then takes these trends to their logical, and inevitable,
conclusion: the rise of the "market-facing
enterprise," in which all relationships and functions
are enhanced--even defined--through technology, and the focus
moves from inside the company to its vast network of
suppliers, distributors, customers, and partners.
But Enterprise.com goes far beyond the traditional
boundaries of business. Drawing from the pioneering
contributions of Lotus, as well as showcasing examples from
innovators in such diverse industries as insurance and
aerospace, Papows explores the more profound implications of
the IT revolution, such as:
7 why the Web has become the most over-hyped but
under-valued business tool 7 why business leaders must become
fluent in the language of IT now or risk losing everything 7
how IT takes "knowledge management" to its full
potential, and 7 how the adoption of new technologies is
forever changing the roles and responsibilities of educators,
researchers, policymakers, and general citizens.
At his most provocative, Papows considers the challenges
that lie ahead, especially as individuals, businesses, and
governments clash over issues such as privacy, encryption,
common standards, and regulation.
The most eye-opening look at IT this side of the
millenium, Enterprise.com provides a rich and compelling set
of concepts and ideas for managers in any industry to
anticipate trends, make wise investment decisions, and
harness the power of technology to achieve new levels of
innovation and growth.
Jeffrey P. Papows, Ph.D., is President and CEO of Lotus
Development Corporation in Cambridge, Massachusetts. One of
the most prominent voices in the information technology
industry, he is a frequent commentator in the business media
and keynote speaker at major conferences worldwide.
