E-Commerce Education - Essay Example

E-Commerce Education 1- Introduction In the past few years, the use of the internet for carrying out business activities has increased to a massive extent. In fact, the majority of business organizations has already started making use of the internet to catch the attention of their customers. In the same way, a large number of businesses that were operating traditionally have decided to move their business to the internet. Hence, the quick developments in information technology, particularly the use of internet in the form e-commerce (electronic commerce) and e-business (electronic business) in current years has influenced a large number of business organizations. In fact, e-commerce is believed to the most important and attractive internet supported ideas appeared in the recent times. In this scenario, electronic commerce engages carrying out business over the web with the help of computers that are connected to each other in order to form a network. In simple words, ecommerce deals with selling and buying products and services and transferring funds by making use of digital communications (EcommerceEducation, 2007; Hendershot, 2013). In addition, both the trends e-commerce and e-business are used interchangeably. However, e-business is about the development of businesses which can be run on the Internet, or using Internet systems and technologies to enhance the profitability or productivity of a company. In other words, this term can be employed to explain some structure of electronic business: that is to say, a business that makes use of a computer. This practice is somewhat out-of-date, though, and in most of the cases e-business refers completely to an Internet based business. In this scenario, the most frequent use of this term is for demonstrating a business which offers and sells products and services online, an e-business allows a firm to get access to a huge customer base than some customary brick-and-mortar store could ever expect for. Additionally, e-commerce is believed to be a significant component of e-business. Moreover, e-business can as well make use of the Internet to obtain wholesale products or supplies intended for in-house manufacturing. This side of e-business is occasionally recognized as online or e-procurement, as well as provides the businesses an excellent opportunity to reduce their costs radically. However, the majority of e-businesses that work without an electronic business platform at the present utilize e-procurement as a key mechanism to effectively track and run their purchasing (McGuigan, 2013). This report presents an analysis of e-business in the context of Galaxy Electronic Inc. business, which is a main supplier of power management solutions and mobile electronic devices (for example PDAs, mobile phones, digital cameras, etc.). In light of the benefits offered by the internet to business organizations the management of Galaxy Electronic Inc. has decided to establish a web based business and information portal. The basic purpose of this e-business implementation is to improve the business capabilities and take competitive edge in the market. This report presents a detailed analysis of this implementation process. This report outlines the ways this e-business platform will bring benefits and opportunities of the business. 2- Business Background Galaxy Electronic Inc. is a well-known business in electronic industry. It presents a wide range of modern electronic devices. As well, visual and audio products developed by Galaxy Electronic Inc. offer customers excellent alternatives for viewing and hearing multimedia functions available on the newest mobile electronic systems to hit the marketplace. Additionally, Galaxy Electronic Inc. as well presents an award-winning line of environmental friendly power systems based on its patented Galaxy Electronic Inc. Green Systems Technology. Though, initially, this business was launched as a small business which with the passage of time turned into a huge business. In fact, it is currently offering its own exclusive products and technology lines and brands. At present the management of the business realized the need for the new technology and decided to establish and implement a new technology based platform the enhanced business and corporate practice. The new web based business platform is intended to improve the overall business productivity and offer better and wider customer market. This new web based platform will also enhance the business market standing and will offer more enhanced market competitive edge. 3- Business Goals The management of Galaxy Electronic Inc. has decided to establish a web based business platform that is aimed at improving the overall business share and customer market. Additionally, the business has taken this initiative to compete in this ever-increasing competitive business environment as well as gain a competitive edge over other competitors. As discussed above, e-business offers a large number of benefits for the business organizations. Hence, the main goal of the business is to attain these benefits and opportunities by increasing business reputation and improving business functions. In addition, it is expected that this new web based platform will revolutionize the business of Galaxy Electronic Inc. In this scenario business has established some general goals such as: Expanding business reach to a wider customer base Improving business reputation in the market Gaining a competitive edge over competitors Improving overall business productivity Offering better and automated business dealing Offering the customer services and business support on 24x7 basis 4- Website Goals Without a doubt, the basic purpose of establishing a business on the Internet is to allow business customers to get access to business information and perform transactions from anywhere at any time. In this scenario, the Internet and other growing developments of electronic commerce have offered various kinds of relationships such as business-to-customer (B2C) and business-to-business (B2B) relationships which are more applicable and interactive for business corporations. In addition, there are a number of revenue models which a different internet based businesses use to generate revenue. Basically, a revenue model provides a way how the company will get profits, generate income and create an improved return on present business assets. IN business-to-business model transactions are performed between two or more businesses. On the other hand, in business-to-consumer model transactions are performed between customers and the business organization (Henbury, 2001; Jaquenod, 2009). For Galaxy Electronic Inc. Inc we analyzed different business models and assessed that for such type of business with online products selling platform the most effective e-business revenue model will be direct product sales, which is business-to-consumer model. Through this type of business revenue model business will be able to sell products online and collect suitable revenue against these sales. In addition, Galaxy Electronic Inc. Inc is aimed at improving the business by getting access to a huge marketplace. Additionally, the management of the business wants to attain a competitive edge by offering new and innovative products all through the world, which will be promoted and sold through its e-business platform. This web portal will also allow the business will to catch the attention of new customer and business associates. However, it will be achieved by offering better web based services and minimizing overall operational cost of business. Moreover, there will be a need for effective customer support and services. This all can be done through the implementation of well organized e-business marketing platform. In case of web based platform Galaxy Electronic Inc. business will continue with its current electronics products and selling range in order to improve its overall market position and reputation with its range of products. In this scenario the web based platform will also serve as marketing and promotional platform for the firm to better access the market and advertise its products. 5- Target Audience The management of Galaxy Electronic Inc. Inc business is aimed at targeting the entire electronic business market. In this scenario business will target the local and international customers and formulate its products to better match needs of all types of customers. In case of Galaxy Electronic Inc. business the main target customer can be big electronic companies or small business those can promote and sell Galaxy Electronic Inc. business products to local levels. In addition, the customers can also place orders online through this e-business platform. Here Galaxy Electronic Inc. will offer special discounts and services to big dealers when they will perform big transactions. However, this e-business platform will be implemented for individual business customers for offering them quick access to online products and transactions. 6- Forecasted Use Environments The new technology based platform application for the Galaxy Electronic Inc. business aims to enhance the overall business productivity and offer a competitive edge in the market. The new e-business platform will completely revolutionize the traditional business practice of the Galaxy Electronic Inc. business will offer them a much wider customer and business market. The new ecommerce business platform will offer support and services all through the world. Therefore we can say that new technology platform application for the Galaxy Electronic Inc. business will be a major business strength. The Galaxy Electronic Inc. website will bring more enhanced business advantages and support. The new web based e-business will completely transform the traditional business practice of the Galaxy Electronic Inc. business and will offer this business better management of corporate resources and areas. This e-business platform can be accessed through any web browser as its implementation will be followed by keeping in mind all the compatibility issues. 7- Competitor Website Analysis When a business goes online, it actually enters a huge competitive world. In fact, the web based world is believed to be more competitive than traditional business world. In view of the fact that Amazon.com and eBay.com also allow business customers to make purchase of electronic products so these businesses can be considered as the biggest competitors of the Galaxy Electronic Inc. Inc business. However, some direct competitors in the same product line can be: PHILIPS.com SONY.com 8- Website Template Designs The Galaxy Electronic Inc. website demands a professional looking interface that offers an efficient depiction of the electronics products contents. The main user interface will be based on black background and white font interface. The main page should appear in the flash photo gallery demonstrating major contents of the website. Here we will have tabs of links that offer a great deal of capability to navigate across the website. Figure1 demonstrates the wireframe of Galaxy Electronic Inc. that presents a sketch of the whole system. This picture presents some of the important features that will be presented in the Galaxy’s e-business platform: Figure 1Wireframe for Glaxy Web site 9- Website Storyboard / Content Figure2 outlines the list of links and their navigation patterns: Figure 2Web Site Contents 11- User Tasks This era is known as the age of information technology. At the present, information technology based tools and applications are being used in every walk of life. Now people do not have enough time to go out and have some shopping. In this technology based age the new technology based system has resolved some of the major issues and problems by offering interactive web based business support. As discussed above, with the web site a customer can be able to get all types of electronics products at their doorsteps through only a single click. In addition, the new e-business platform will also enhance the client and customer relationships and will offer enhanced business management capabilities through effective customers and client relationship management. The e-business platform of Galaxy Electronic Inc. business will establish an online business customer management and service center that will manage and handle the customer complaints at the spot. Here the customer can query or ask questions about any aspect of business and purchasing. This facility will also be available for clients of the business. This will enhance business relationships and customer confidence in the business services. Moreover, the users will open the web site, search for the desired product, make a selection and pay amount. After this transaction they will be able to get delivery of that product at their home address. 12- Development Tools At the present, there are a number of tools and applications available that can be used to develop such systems. After a detailed analysis of those tools and applications I will recommend Galaxy Electronic to use PHP and MySQL for the development of their e-business platform. 13- Process Analysis The implementation of this e-business platform will require dealing with the following processes: Online registration process Online payment management Online deals and transactions Online marketing management Online contacts support Online Offers for new products Online product information 14- Marketing Techniques First of all, this web site will itself work as a marketing and advertising platform for the business. However, along with web site a mixture of other techniques will also be used to attract more and more customers. In this scenario, some of useful techniques are listed below: E-mail marketing Social network marketing Search engine optimization Web site promotions Ads placements Google Ads 15- Conclusion In the past few years, the majority of business organizations has started making use of the latest tools and technologies to run their businesses and survive in this ever-increasing competitive business world. Hence, the internet is believed to be a major driving force and a potential tool for gaining competitive edge. In this scenario, e-business is a most useful internet tool that has offered a number of benefits and opportunities for the business organizations. This paper has presented a detailed analysis of e-business and its associated aspects in the context of Galaxy Electronic business. This report has highlighted some of the important e-business related aspects such as marketing, competitive analysis, business process, customer analysis and website design 16- References Ecommerce Education. (2007). Benefits Of Ecommerce. Retrieved April 15, 2013, from http://www.ecommerceeducation.com/benefits-of-ecommerce.asp Henbury, C. (2001). E-business Definitions (B2C, B2B etc.). Retrieved April 10, 2013, from http://www.cheshirehenbury.com/ebusiness/ebdefinitions.html Hendershot, R. (2013). E-Business Benefits. Retrieved April 10, 2013, from http://www.enetsc.com/ebusinessarticles.htm Jaquenod, G. (2009). E-Commerce in da house. Retrieved April 12, 2013, from http://milkmom.blogspot.com/2008/06/revenue-model-for-google-amazoncom-and.html McGuigan, B. (2013, March 11). What is eBusiness? Retrieved March 30, 2013, from WiseGeek.com: http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-ebusiness.htm Read More