[Few small e-commerce software makers have been able to turn a profit in the small-business market. Bock says that with an ISP's sales channel, those small companies can change their fortunes.] The tools makers are lining up to dance with the ISPs, ... Tool vendors have to have an elegant way to interface with potential clients: supporting a tool through an ISP is like a hot knife through butter.

The pursuit of the small business has always been the holy grail of e-commerce.

You need to understand how to organize and manage the content; how is the information being produced, and who is producing it. Second, you should look at the needs of the users and understand what information they want and need.

The tools makers are lining up to dance with the ISPs. Tool vendors have to have an elegant way to interface with potential clients: supporting a tool through an ISP is like a hot knife through butter.

People do not have a lot of time on their hands. The ability to order groceries remotely has enormous value.