Better processes behind ebusiness growth, says CBI

Half of UK companies now fully integrating their business processes

Half of UK companies are fully integrating their business processes by linking front-end operations with inventory and supply chain systems.

This compares with just 10 per cent in 2002, according to a CBI report published this week that highlights the progress companies have made in ebusiness over the past three years.

While the main priority for businesses is still cost cutting, attention is also focused on improving customer services.

Employee relations is another area where the uptake of ebusiness is booming. Some 54 per cent of the 314 respondents in the survey use electronic processes for staff entitlements, and a further fifth (21 per cent) plan to do so.

In addition, 81 per cent said they have fully or partially implemented remote working.

‘Firms are realising that what works with your employees is a precursor to what will work with your customers,’ said Jeremy Beale, head of the CBI’s ebusiness unit.
But progress in improving customer and employee-focused systems is not being matched by improvements in corporate supply chains.

Nearly 80 per cent of firms have introduced electronic payments in their supply chain, but fewer than half use electronic invoicing or online tendering.