This book is based on the experiences and ideas that have been collected over many years. I therefore would like to extend gratitude to my colleagues and friends with whom I have had the privilege of working in the fascinating field of multisite commerce. I am also grateful for the opportunity to work with many client firms. The business and technical leaders of the companies I have worked with have posed many fascinating problems that I have been privileged to work on.

I would not have been able to write this book without the valuable input of all the reviewers and editors who have contributed their time and effort in looking at the early drafts.

This book would not have been possible without the support of IBM executives and managers. I am truly grateful for the support and encouragement I have received, both from the management and from IBM Press.

My wife thinks that her contribution was limited to moral support and encouragement. That is not true, and therefore I would like to say thank you to my wonderful wife, Viola, not only for her support, but also for all the advice and suggestions that she has given.