In this chapter we want to pull together a number of different threads that we have discussed in earlier chapters and provide readers with a generic approach to changing their IT organizations in order that they can support a corporatewide e-business transition.

CIO magazine recently reported on a survey undertaken by PricewaterhouseCoopers and the Conference Board. The survey included 80 large companies. Ninety percent of the 80 companies had an annual revenue of $1 billion or more. Fifty percent had income in excess of $5 billion. The companies ranged from manufacturing, energy, and transportation to financial services and retail. Seventy-nine percent of the companies said that e-business accounts for less than 5% of their revenues. Sixty percent do not have Internet-based supply chains. Only a quarter of the group has yet to move beyond basic Web "brochureware" applications. Only 28% can process a transaction online. In essence, about 75% of the large companies have yet to begin any kind of serious transfer to e-business. Most may have a Web site, but only a quarter are in a position to build supply chain or e-commerce applications.

In other words, in spite of all the articles and commentary about how quickly everyone is moving to the "new economy," in fact most large companies are holding back. In the language of Geoffrey Moore, e-business is still being tried by Innovators and Early Adopters, and has not really crossed the chasm yet, or, if it has, is holding on the Early Majority...