How E-Commerce Began - Essay Example

How E-commerce Begun Introduction E-commerce involves the use of the internet to carry out business. In essence, it is digital transaction of business between either firms, or individuals. It constitutes sharing commercial information and business transactions through the web or internet. It is important to note that, no paper work is involved during transaction. It can be business-to-business, consumer-to-consumer, or business to consumer. How E-Commerce begunAfter the Second World War, companies and individuals transacted businesses through paper work and basic computers networks.

By early 1960s, businesses could transact using Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). It could share business information ranging from shipment to invoices. In 1979, Americans came up with a system ASC X 12. It shared business information on the electronic network platforms. In 1980s, institutions and firms used USENET networks and transmission control protocol & internet protocol (TCP/IP). It involved the use of a computer terminal and packet-switched technology to connect modems and internet. Later in 1980s, a computer service firm provided e-mail and chat room services to its clients.

In 1990, researchers from European Organization for Nuclear initiated a web-based tool referred to as hypertext that could through a web browser (Marc, 2004, p. 10). Technological advancement and internet popularity among businesses took center stage in 1994, when HTTP security protocols came operational. It enabled fast and persistent access to the internet. In the year 2000, several business companies in the western world had their representation on the World Wide Web (www). It was a year when business used e-commerce as the purchase and sale of services and goods via the internet.

The set back e-commerce encountered was on the fall out of dot-com whereby many businesses vanished on the web. However, other companies and retailers saw the importance of e-commerce and immediately put their presence on the web. By 2005, a large platform of e-commerce in the form of business-to-business and business- to -consumer had a turnover of more than 700 billion dollars (Alan & Steven, 2001). E-commerce is pivotal in today’s digital world; consumers can get a range of products swiftly and comparing prices at a click of a mouse.

Internet provides a platform for consumers without expensive campaign. Internet companies like EBay and Amazon enjoy transactions on the net. Nevertheless, what are the drivers that make e-commerce a success?Drivers of E-commerceTechnology- the development of state of the art infrastructure in telecommunication facilitates access between businesses and consumers.Politics- this is where government supports the development of e-commerce through legislation. Social factors- it involves informing the would-be buyers on the use of IT.

Economy- economy plays a vital role in development of e-commerce, the level of commerce and state of an economy drives e-commerce in a country.To date, companies use e-commerce to lower operating costs and increase revenue in their businesses. E-commerce creates delivery paths for goods and services and enables distribution processes to minimize overhead expenses (Zheng, 2009, p.8). ReferencesAlan, R. S. & Steven, L. S. (2001). Data Warehousing Business Intelligence and E-commerce. Morgan Kaufmann.Marc, J. E. (2004). Implementing E-commerce Strategies.

Green Publishing Group.Zheng, Q. (2009). Introduction to E-commerce. Springer.