Economy of 2003: The crucial role of networking in an information-based economy

Economic survival in 2003 will be dependent upon an enterprise's ability to instantly communicate with, and control all devices necessary to performing day-to-day operations. In this information-based economy, companies will rely on Ethernet to connect devices and exchange information through an open network. The business model as we know it will be replaced by one that provides access to information throughout every step of the system - from the executive suite all the way down to the factory floor. Envision a device that develops a problem and does not need to notify an administrative person of the problem, but rather is able to download a solution on its own. Companies are recognizing the need to be able to access information throughout the system, and this benefit of Ethernet is creating a whole new service model.