What does our future look like? No one can really answer that. But sometimes it can help to look at where we came from. That’s why we’re diving into the development of the internet. And how it completely changed the way businesses operate. From the birth of ARPANET in the 1960s to the creation of the World Wide Web. And from the rise of e-commerce to the emergence of Web 2.0 and working in the cloud. In this article, we’ll take you through the development of the internet by discussing the 10 most important moments.

1. ARPANET, the beginning of the Internet.

ARPANET was founded in the 1960s. It was the first network to connect computers over short and long distances. Its purpose was to allow scientists to work together more efficiently. This early form of the internet used packet switching—a method of splitting up data and then rebuilding it. The idea of ​​shared networks laid the foundation for modern IT systems. Although the infrastructure was still minimal, ARPANET was the first to demonstrate the power of digital connectivity.

The most important moment.

In 1969, the first message was sent via ARPANET between the University of California and Stanford. Although the system crashed after the word ‘LO’, this was the beginning of network communication as we know it today.

The impact on businesses.

ARPANET inspired businesses to think about digital communication systems. This led to early experiments with electronic data networks. It also laid the foundation for e-mail. With the launch of ARPANET, the idea emerged that IT was not a luxury, but a requirement to remain competitive in the future. Because the network helped with remote collaboration. This allowed businesses to make decisions faster.

2. The World Wide Web.

The World Wide Web was developed in 1989 by Tim Berners-Lee. The goal was to make information accessible via hypertext. With this system, you can link documents and go from one website to another via browsers. In contrast to ARPANET, the web was designed for a broad audience. The combination of TCP/IP and the web ensured that it became the global standard. HTML, URLs,s, and HTTP were the technical basis for this. The World Wide Web provided structure in the chaos of the internet that continued to grow. In this way, people and companies could use the internet.

The most important moment.

In 1991, the first website was launched. It provided information on how the World Wide Web worked. And it inspired companies to have an online presence.

The impact on businesses.

The World Wide Web allowed businesses with a website to be visible online for the first time. This made marketing and customer loyalty much easier. The web changed access to information. This helped smaller businesses compete with larger businesses. Because international markets were accessible, without the business having to be present there. Businesses developed digital lists and product information that could be found by search engines, for example. This created a new ecosystem. And soon the World Wide Web became an important part of the business strategy.   

3. The rise of e-commerce.

E-commerce means online trade. It emerged in the 1990s and changed the way companies and consumers buy and sell products and services. E-commerce was made possible by developments such as the World Wide Web, secure payment methods, and the growing number of Internet users. Online marketplaces such as Amazon and eBay were ahead of the curve in this area. They made e-commerce accessible to a large part of the population. From the year 2000, logistics and payment systems improved. This created more trust and convenience among consumers. Mobile phones and apps eventually made e-commerce accessible to almost everyone.

The most important moment.

In 1995, Amazon started as an online bookstore. Within a few years, it became one of the largest online stores in the world. This shows that e-commerce is scalable and powerful.

The impact on businesses.

E-commerce allows businesses to reach a global audience without having to be present in all those countries. Online platforms allowed startups to quickly gain market share with minimal resources. It was because digital payment methods like PayPal made the purchasing process easier for customers. And with data analysis from online stores, consumer behavior could be studied very precisely. Provided valuable insights. This allowed businesses to create personalized marketing campaigns. So e-commerce led to the growth of digital marketing and advertising. And the scalability of this allowed businesses to enter new markets faster.  

4. Fast internet via broadband internet.

Between 1999 and 2000, broadband internet was introduced. This brought about a major change in the speed and reliability of the internet. To connect to the internet, you had to dial up via a telephone line. While broadband offered a constant connection at high speeds. This led to the introduction of bandwidth-intensive activities such as streaming video and sending large files. And businesses began to use technology in a completely different way, with applications such as video conferencing and cloud computing. A major step in the development of the digital economy and the rise of web-based services.

The most important moment.

In early 2000 broadband internet became available everywhere. This was mainly due to the introduction of ADSL in many households and companies.

The impact on businesses.

Broadband internet made it possible to be online all the time, without having to dial in. This allowed businesses to communicate and collaborate faster. Video calling became a cost-effective solution for remote meetings. Businesses could now process and analyze large amounts of data due to the speed of broadband. Innovation in digital services and platforms was accelerated. This was due to the improved infrastructure that broadband provided.

5. Web 2.0 and the rise of social media.

Web 2.0 marked the transition from static websites to interactive platforms. Users could now create content themselves and post it to the Internet via blogs, forums, and social media. This allowed everyone to participate in the Internet. Innovations such as AJAX and APIs were the underlying technologies that made this possible. Social networks such as Facebook and LinkedIn played a central role in this development. They changed the way users interact with businesses. It encouraged the use of mobile devices to access the Internet. This created a new era of personalized online experiences.

The key moment.

The launch of Facebook in 2004 and YouTube in 2005 ushered in a new era of user creation and sharing.

The impact on businesses.

Web 2.0 allows businesses to reach their customers directly via social media. This opened up new marketing channels and sales strategies. Customer feedback became more accessible and faster. Platforms like YouTube made video marketing affordable and effective. This gave rise to influencers. People who create content and try to gain followers with their digital stories. They are a new channel for businesses to promote their products.

6. Cloud computing.

Cloud computing has changed the way businesses manage their IT infrastructure. Instead of managing hardware and software on-premises, businesses can now access computing power, storage, and applications remotely over the Internet. This model enables scalability and flexibility at lower costs. Public, private, and hybrid clouds offer different solutions for specific business needs. Innovations such as serverless computing and microservices have helped businesses develop new applications faster. The cloud has made data more accessible, making collaboration easier. The adoption of the cloud has been further accelerated by the need for remote work. Many businesses now see cloud computing as the core of their digital transformation.

The most important moment.

In 2006, Amazon Web Services (AWS) launched Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2). This made cloud solutions more accessible to all companies, small and large.

The impact on businesses.

With cloud computing, businesses could avoid the high costs of physical servers. IT departments had more time to focus on innovation instead of maintenance. This allowed them to scale up faster during peak periods and scale down when needed. Collaboration between teams, even internationally, became easier. This was due to shared access to data and tools. And the cloud made it possible to analyze big data and gain real-time insights. It also opened the doors to new business models such as SaaS, which stands for Software-as-a-Service. This allowed startups to launch faster, without having to make large investments in infrastructure. And with shared data centers in the cloud, businesses could reduce their carbon footprint. It is clear that the cloud has driven a lot of innovation in almost every industry.

7. The arrival of fiber optic internet.

Fiber optics revolutionized internet connectivity by improving speed and reliability. It uses light signals instead of electrical impulses, allowing data rates of gigabits per second (Gbit/s). With fiber optics, bits and bytes travel across the web at the speed of light, minimizing latency and noise. With the advent of fiber optics, a new era of digital transformation began.

The most important moment.

In 2021, Odido started installing fiber optics in many places in the Netherlands, giving companies access to a large bandwidth.

The impact on businesses.

Fiber enabled businesses to work faster and process data. The infrastructure supported digital transformation and cloud applications. Because the connections were reliable, hybrid working became easier. As did international collaboration, by minimizing latency. Live streaming was also possible. This allowed businesses to lead the way in competitive sectors such as fintech. Fiber therefore offered many advantages. And this allowed businesses to implement future-oriented strategies.

8. The advent of the Internet of Things (IoT).

IoT is a network of objects and devices that are connected to each other via the internet. Such as smart thermostats, production sensors, and health monitors. They have sensors that allow them to send and receive real-time data. And perform actions. This creates new opportunities for companies. Because it can improve productivity, sustainability,y and efficiency. IoT is used in various sectors, such as production, healthcare and logistics. Within and outside these sectors, this technology can be used to develop personalized products and services. IoT is growing rapidly, but it also poses challenges. Such as managing connections, SIM management, and security.

The most important moment.

In 2008, there were more IoT devices worldwide than people on Earth.

The impact on businesses.
Businesses are using IoT to work smarter and more efficiently. Smart devices help reduce costs by eliminating waste. This is because IoT data provides insights that accelerate product innovation. A few examples:

• In healthcare, wearables are improving patient care. These are small, smart electronic devices that can be incorporated into clothing or worn on the body.
• Predictive maintenance in production means continuously monitoring the operation of machines or objects, which reduces unexpected failures.
• In logistics, IoT enables real-time tracking of goods.
• Customer-centric businesses use IoT for personalized experiences.
• The adoption of IoT helps innovation in traditional industries.

IoT therefore leads to new opportunities for data-driven business models.

9. Web3 and blockchain.

Web3 represents a decentralized internet, where users have control over their data. Blockchain is the underlying technology. It verifies transactions without intermediaries. Ensures secure and transparent processes. Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum are important applications of blockchain. Smart contracts automate agreements without the need for humans. With Web3, users can retain ownership of digital assets. Creates new opportunities for companies in finance, supply chain, and gaming. Decentralized applications (DApps) allow them to no longer depend on central platforms. Innovations such as NFTs offer opportunities for digital art and ownership registration. Web3 is seen as a development that can reduce the power of large companies.

The most important moment.
In 2009, Bitcoin was launched. This was the 1st major application of blockchain technology.

The impact on businesses.

Blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and smart contracts are interconnected and reinforce each other’s applications. Think of a global logistics chain: goods are tracked via blockchain, payments are made in cryptocurrencies, and smart contracts ensure the automatic release of payments upon delivery.

• Blockchain is the foundation. It is a decentralized and immutable ledger that ensures trust. Because all transactions are transparent and secured.
• Cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, are built on blockchain technology. They use this infrastructure to enable fast, secure, and instant payments. Without the need for humans.
• Smart contracts add an extra layer to this. They work within the blockchain and automate agreements between parties. Such as payments that only take place when predetermined conditions are met.

This combination makes processes more efficient. For example, in supply chains, where payments and deliveries are automatically synchronized. Cryptocurrencies ensure that value exchange within these contracts goes smoothly. Regardless of geographical boundaries. At the same time, blockchain ensures that the data and transactions behind the contracts remain transparent. And protected against fraud. Together, they create an ecosystem in which companies can perform more complex, international transactions with lower costs and risks.

10. Artificial intelligence.

AI has revolutionized the way companies analyze data and make decisions. Machine learning and deep learning allow computers to recognize patterns and make predictions. The technology is used in many different sectors, such as customer service, product development, and logistics. Automation within and outside these sectors increases efficiency and reduces costs. Natural Language Processing (NLP) is a form of AI to better understand and process human language. Chatbots and virtual assistants that use NLP improve customer interactions. With AI, companies can use personalization, for example in marketing. However, it is important to deal well with ethics and privacy around AI.

The most important moment.

The introduction of AI tools like IBM’s Watson in 2011. And IoT solutions developed by big tech companies. They changed how companies deal with data.

The impact on businesses.

AI has helped businesses make their processes smarter and more customer-centric. In the marketing department, for example. Here, AI plays a major role by tailoring campaigns to customer preferences and behavior. This makes advertisements more relevant and effective. And AI helps businesses predict risks, for example by detecting deviations in production or financial trends early on. This allows them to prevent problems before they escalate. But AI goes beyond just improving existing processes. It also offers opportunities for new revenue models, such as smart products and customized services. Businesses that embrace AI can automate repetitive tasks. This allows employees to focus on more creative and strategic tasks.

AI has set high standards in almost every industry. This forces companies to be more agile and innovative. In this rapidly changing world, investing in AI is no longer a choice, but a necessary step to grow and stay ahead of competitors. It is not just a technology. It transforms companies and prepares them for the future.

Your company’s IT strategy.

From ARPANET to Web3 and AI, the development of the Internet has offered businesses new opportunities. IT managers like you are now faced with the challenge of strategically deploying technologies such as fiber, the cloud, and AI to future-proof your business. The possibilities are endless. Whether they are successful for your business depends on your vision. In this, it is important that you combine technology with your business strategy. The challenge is to strategically deploy these technologies to stimulate innovation, efficiency, and growth. Our tip: use the key moments and insights we mention above as inspiration to make your own IT strategy even better.