B2N

Why?

I am trying to figure out what B2N could be. I have heard the term and googled it. Google B2N returns about 384,000 results and Business to Network is not the most prominent one. Is B2N any different from B2B? I think it might be, here is why.


What is Business Network?

To be honest i cannot remember origins of Business Network concept so please help me out so I can give credit where it is due. In response to globalization and availability of technology in connecting people and processes, businesses are evolving their structure from corporations to a Coordinated and Collaborative Business Networks. Business Networks are loosely coupled companies. Each company in the network focuses on key market differentiator and relies on its partners, suppliers, and customers (yes customers e.g. self service) for the rest of its operations. Business network enable faster innovation at lower costs by sharing investments, assets, and ideas.

B2B or B2N

Business to Business (B2B) describes commerce transactions between businesses, such as between a manufacturer and a wholesaler, or between a wholesaler and a retailer, etc. In the nutshell in enables Multination Corporation to interact, on technological side it is focuses on integration to internet and is based on standards such as RosettaNet, EDI and others. B2N is more software philosophy then integration technology. To B2N, is to build your software to enable Coordinated and Collaborative Business Networks, not only to ensure interaction, but also to enable fast divestitures, outsourcing as well as deep collaboration such us end-to-end supply chain, including recycling, involving number of partners (a network) and controlling or/and influencing end to end process.

This is just a brief sketch what I think B2N is and how it is different from B2B. Let me know what you think.