Manufacturers use Internet to design, produce, and distribute physical products: PepsiCo, Proctor and Gamble Service Providers produce and deliver a wide range of online service offerings: American Express, CityGroup, Avis, American Airlines Educators create and deliver online educational offerings: Knowledge Universe, Centra, Pensare Advisors provide online consulting and service (Mindspring Communications, Enderson Consulting) Information and News Services create, package, and deliver online information: Wsj.com Custom suppliers design, produce, and distribute customized products (physical and information) and services: Boeing, McGrawHill
Focused distributors include high tech marketplaces (Tech data, Microage) that take control of the hardware and software inventory and complete the sales transactions with the customer as well as high-tech exchanges (for example NECX) Manufacturers and custom producers were early adopters of direct-to customer online models