their core competencies. Therefore, each partner is able to perform these activities the best and is quickly able to adapt to market needs (Kuglin 1998).
             Next, all companies within the chain must coordinate flows of information. The most efficient way to accomplish this is by utilizing the latest developments in information and communication technology. As technology continues to make advancements, the need for accurate data and the speed of communication become more and more imperative. Information and communication is the tool that combines all units within the supply chain. The more information that can be networked, the more influential information sharing becomes, and the more effective the decision making processes across multiple supply channels (Ross 1998). Internet technology has called for company's to re-design there supply chain processes in order to keep up with the demands of the competitive business environment. The use of intranets, extranets, and e-commerce allows companies to re-engineer relationship with
             suppliers, distributors, and retailers to reduce costs, increase efficiency, and improve supply chain life cycles (O'Brien 2004).
             One of the fastest growing communications technologies is Electronic
             Data Interchange (EDI) (Ross 19998). This communication tool is an exchange of business transactions such as purchase orders, invoices, and shipping notices via the internet and other networks. The exchange occurs between business partners
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