How will the Internet and, more specifically, websites affect business practices?
Winters: In the near term, I don’t think the Inter-net will have much impact. Really, those who jumped in early and invested a great deal of money have reaped few benefits. Long-term, however, I think it is going to have a major influence. Once the Internet is perceived as filling the same needs as catalogs, reaching people as easily, and being as user friendly, users will gravitate toward it. Younger customers, especially, don’t want to order a catalog; they want to use a CD-ROM or a website. Belden: The Internet has the potential to be a completely new channel to the market. It is becoming a source of technical information and is a communications vehicle that can be both internal and external. It can be used internally to communicate with your salespeople and your distribution network, and it can be used to provide 7 day/24 hour technical information to end users. Goulter: We are investing heavily in the Inter-net with MilPro. Right now, it is more of a technical tool, providing a lo
