(See also Advertising & Marketing.)

There are many providers of online: Phone, Messaging, Video and Online Collaboration platforms. In reviewing these, our view is that they all have something to offer but none are perfect. Nonetheless, there is no doubt that the use of these tools is indispensable to:

• Making home and distance working possible.
• Enabling interaction with clients and suppliers – without having to travel.

These are vital elements in the world of eCommerce (notwithstanding some very real security concerns - which can be covered; see Basic CyberSecurity and Advanced CyberSecurity).

Lists of the main online communications services available online can be seen on The ExportersAlmanac - Communications are:

• Collaboration Tools and White Boards.
• Faxes (yes, they are still used in some places for some purposes)
• Newsletter Mailing Services.
• Phone, Messaging & Video Services.
• Team Working Platforms.

N.B. If you do not have the technical expertise in-house to assess and/or integrate these systems then you should look to either hire this expertise and/or use the services of a systems integration company.