How does a Value-added network facilitate business communication?

A Value-added network (VAN) is a private communications network that enables businesses to exchange information securely and efficiently. The correct choice indicates that a VAN functions as an intermediary for document transmission, which is central to its purpose.

By facilitating the transfer of electronic documents such as purchase orders, invoices, and other business-critical files between trading partners, a VAN enhances the speed and accuracy of communication. This intermediary service often includes additional features like data encryption, translation of data formats, and error checking, which help streamline the exchange process and reduce the possibility of errors that could occur when sending documents directly from one business to another.

The focus of a VAN is on electronic communication rather than physical interactions or website hosting. Thus, the other options do not align with the primary role of a VAN, as they pertain more to direct human interaction or broader internet services rather than the specific electronic document transmission facilitated by a Value-added network.