OpportunitiesforActioninIndustrialGoodsSupplyChainStrategiesfortheInternetEraSupplyChainStrategies-46/13/013:52PMPage1SupplyChainStrategiesfortheInternetEraBusiness-to-businesse-commerce,Internetexchanges,e-supply-chainmanagement:greatclaimshavebeenmadeabouttheInternet’sabilitytorevolutionizesup-plychains.NowthattheInternethypeisabating,allowingrealitytosetin,whatisactuallyhappening?HowmuchvalueistheInternetcreating,ifany?Andhowcanyourbusinessbenefit?Manycompaniesarehopingforsignificantresults.WhenTheBostonConsultingGrouprecentlysur-veyed250supply-chainexecutivesandgeneralman-agersatmajorU.S.corporations,morethanhalftherespondentsreportedthattheyseetheInternetasawayto“greatlyimprove”theirsupply-chainperfor-mance.Onaverage,theyexpecttocutunitcostsby3percentperyearwhileenhancingrevenuesby5percent.Moreover,theyanticipateachievingsi