It would be better to send an email to the supplier for the following reasons: Ottawa and Shanghai are

located in different time zones; thus, an email would allow the supplier to respond when it is convenient
for them. Emails allow for multimedia attachments to be sent and downloaded easily which is impossible
with just a phone call. Emails enable you to keep a digital record of your information; send large amounts
of information to many people quickly and at a low cost. It allows you to work at your own pace with
feedbacks which makes it better than phone calls.

YOU ARE DOING BUSINESS WITH A SUPPLIER IN SHANGHAI. AT 9:00 AM YOU DISCOVER
THAT YOU NEED TO FIND OUT INFORMATION ABOUT A COSTING QUOTE. SHOULD YOU
PHONE OR EMAIL? EX- PLAIN. If you are aware of the time difference you will know that in
Shanghai it is not 9:00 am, it is 10:00 am the next day so it is okay to phone. However if you are unaware
of the time difference in Shanghai you should email just in case it is an inconvenient time

In general, e-mail is a better choice when you want to keep a digital record of your
communication, keep track of sticky details, follow up, or give a quick status update. You don't,
on the other hand, want to be sending sensitive details in an e-mail. In that case, a phone call is
better.
Emailing allows people to respond at their own pace, without feeling pressured for an immediate
reply. For a phone call, both people need to be free at the same moment. But with email,
someone can receive your message now and decide to reply later when it's convenient for
them.
Email communication is one of the most widely used tools in business, and it's important to use
it effectively. Proper email communication can save time, offer guidance, show competency and
establish a reputation for a person or business.
Businesses use email to announce product launches, sales, and other promotions. Email
marketing messages contain special offers, product information, promotional codes, and links to
the company website. Email enables businesses to send a large quantity of information to a
large audience quickly and inexpensively.
With email, messages are delivered in moments, enabling fast replies and real-time feedback
from customers and colleagues alike. This efficient form of communication helps businesses
respond to customer inquiries promptly and reduces wait times for everyone involved.
Emails, however, allow business communication to take place with maximum safety and minimum
restrictions.
Further, emails are the only form of business communication that can include multimedia files as
attachments and easily downloadable resources. Many business email platforms offer exciting features
as corporate email services at quite reasonable costs.