The lean systems concept is a current trend in operations management. This involves taking a total system approach to creating an efficient operation. This includes concepts such as just- in-time (JIT), total quality management (TQM), continuous improvement, resource planning, and supply chain management (SCM). Companies are using the Internet to reach out to customers, and suppliers directly. Amazon.com has been able to sell books and many other items directly from its warehouse to people like you and me. The Internet is changing how the supply chains work since we can now eliminate the “middle man” or distributor by selling directly from the factory to the final or end customer. Companies can also ease transactions between businesses, known as B2B commerce, by using electronic trading networks. Large information systems, called Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, are allowing companies to increase efficiency. These large, sophisticated software programs coordinate, across the entire enterprise, the activities involved in producing and delivering products to customers. Each of these concepts makes intensive use of information and cooperation between partners. OM will most likely continue to be more information intensive and require greater cooperation among all the players in the value chain.