Advance your communications for the coming millenium.

The entire communications paradigm between people located in distant places has changed dramatically over the past 50 years. Where once we relied on communicating via the written word delivered in a matter of days or weeks, we now have the ability to "reach out and touch" almost anyone in the world instantaneously through our written words voice and image. The sharing of information between people has never been easier.

Much of the credit for this ability to communicate in real-time is due to the ingenuity and capabilities of the former Bell Telephone system, as it existed before industry deregulation. The Bell system built the most robust and wide-reaching network in the world, setting the stage for the current and continuing evolution in communications. The most notable of these evolutionary events over the past five years has been the explosive growth and use of the Internet in our everyday lives. The Internet represents the convergence of a rapidly evolving communications infrastructure, the dramatically increasing power of the computer and the diminishing price of both.

In addition to the explosion of real-time communications capabilities, we are also seeing the convergence of the digital media - namely the Internet and data networks and the analog voice networks. Keep in mind that, even with explosive growth of the Internet, voice calls still account for more than 80 percent of the traffic that travels over the communications infrastructure. This convergence blurs the lines between voice, data, Internet and video. From a technical standpoint, all of these forms of communications become a cacophony of ones and zeroes flowing down "digital pipes." What this means for the average user is that the methods of communicating become unified, allowing a person to seamlessly communicate by voice, video, text and shared images through a single platform (be it a telephone, computer or some other "personal communications device" of the future). Businesses need to realize that, on a business-to-business and business-to-consumer basis, this evolution directly impacts the way that they need to communicate with their suppliers, business partners, and customers - and it directly affects their bottom line.

"Being digital" can come in many forms. Whether it is simply providing marketing materials on a Web site; or enhancing sales distribution channels through the use of electronic commerce ("e-commerce"); or implementing just-in-time inventory controls using an electronic data interchange between suppliers and business partners, the direct effect to a business which participates in this communications evolution is increased sales, decreased costs and enhanced worker productivity. Those who fail to embrace these changes will be relegated to smaller market shares, increased competition and formidable barriers to expansion. Many large companies have already recognized this need to "become digital" and have taken steps to actively participate. Unfortunately, small and mid-sized companies, in order to be competitive, are faced with the challenge of getting from where they are now to a state of "being digital." Fortunately, companies such as OnSite Access can provide a key enabling component in this quest - access to highly advanced, lower cost telecommunications services, including high bandwidth access to the Internet. This access levels the playing field, allowing smaller companies to enjoy the same benefits and opportunities as their larger competitors (at a cost that is well within their reach).

The time is now for companies of all sizes and in all industries to take advantage of the tremendous evolution which is occurring in the telecommunications industry. Those which are successful in embracing these opportunities will be rewarded with growth in customers, market share and profits.

Scott M. Jarus, President and COO, OnSite Access