The eMail Competence Group is a non-profit interest group established to research common developments, behaviors and threats in the area of electronic communication and collaboration. Members are active in collecting and sharing information about eMail and other collaboration tools. All active members (those who participate in the collection of information) will receive the group's final report at no cost.

The reason for initiating eMail Competence is the urgent need for all people to develop a common pool of skills and habits when using eMail and other collaboration tools. This is important for current use of eMail as a communication tool and as a preparatory step for future possibilities with eMail.

1. User interface for electronic communication
   
   The use of eMail should be as intuitive as using the paper-based, letter mail system. When you open your eMail inbox you should receive the same information as when you open the physical mailbox in front of your house; moreover, it should have the same 'feel'. In both cases, the first assessment when sorting through a stack of letters or eMails as to what is important and what is not is a process that can save or waste a lot of time.
    
2. eMail Continuity
   
   eMail has become the most important communication channel in many areas. Interruption of services causes high level losses which are unacceptable. Andy Grove, longstanding head of Intel (US), became famous with his statement that if worse comes to worse; he would be able to manage his company without light, air-conditioning or heating but never without eMail.
   Identifying the risks that eMail systems are exposed to and finding ways to avoid or mitigate them is equally important for developers, designers, owners and users of eMail systems.