E-Commerce Technologies - Annotated Bibliography Example

E-COMMERCE TECHNOLOGIES Name Professor Institution Course Date With the coming up of several technologies, e-commerce has become simpler and viable than the traditional trading methods. Several researchers have provided solutions and explanation to these technologies. Therefore, this research will focus on different technologies as outlined by various authors. Michael W. (2013), The Definition of E-commerce. In The Ecommerce Dictionary. Electronic commerce, also referred to as e-commerce, involves conducting of business through the Internet, in the process of buying, selling, servicing customers and even collaborating with the business partners. The entire process involves tools and processes that enable the business to employ various e-commerce technologies, both internally and externally. There are several e-commerce technologies across the world. The key subjects of interest in e-commerce technologies include the Payment Schemes, Electronic Data Transfer (EDI), Cloud Computing, Social Media, Web based e-commerce, Online Transaction Processing, Electronic Funds Transfer, Inventory Management Systems, supply chain management, mobile commerce, and the use of automated data collection methods. It is a modern form of business that uses www (World Wide Web) . Generally, it can be considered as an aspect of making sales using electronic means, or exchanging some data in order to facilitate payment and financial aspects of business transactions. Several authors emphasize it as one of greatest inputs to the business world. Merriam W. (2013), E-commerce. In The Webster Dictionary. E-commerce can generally be divided into EDI, Business-to-business buying, e-business security, e-mail and fax in reaching the prospective and established customers, the social media for gathering of demographic data, and e-tailing where we can find online catalogs. All these ecommerce mechanisms have developed since 1979 when online shipping was first introduced by Michael Aldrich, to the current Online Retail sales that go up to several billions of US dollars. The fortunate thing is that online systems have been supported by different government legislations, such as the Financial Services Authority in the United Kingdom. The main weakness behind the upward trend experienced in the e-business section covers as situation where some people have not fully comprehended the system. Therefore, as the information about e-commerce technologies continues to spread across the world, the trading environment will have to expand tremendously. Anthony, P., Denis, A.P., & Ralph, Q. (2012). Social Media’s Emerging Importance in Market Research, Journal of Consumer Marketing, Vol. 29, pp. 233-237. Anthony et. al. have focused on investigating the use of social media in e-commerce. Their paper methodology uses the approach of analyzing the existing social market literature, and the industrial practice applied in marketing analysis. The research reveals that the market research profession is affected by several developments from the social media, like Facebook and Twitter. The traditional market research suffers due to lack of consumer communication. The Social media has increased the research methods, thus overcoming the problem of the old methods. The main limitation of this research is that it focuses on the published research techniques, instead of addressing the proprietary techniques that are applied in practical cases. At the moment, studies are being undertaken to understand the effect of social media in e-commerce, as more marketers are moving in for success in their businesses. Glen, D. (2007). Opinion Piece: Social Media: Should Marketers Engage and how can it be done effectively? Glen’s research lays emphasis on the online social networking sites which have seen an impact as a result of consumers’ interaction with the Internet. Consumer change due to social media has caught some industries off guard. Social media is very influential to marketing, and more than a fad. It builds a stronger relationship and conversation with the business audience. Marketing is a two way process that involves the brand and the audience. Therefore, the social media allows for exchange of ideas and perceptions. A marketer should carefully tread with the social media by creatively engaging our audience, rather than alienating it. Although social media marketing is challenging, it is altogether possible. However, what Glen fails to address is the fact that social media cannot go it alone in marketing without the use of traditional marketing techniques. Botha, J., Bothma, C. & Geldenhuys, P. (2004). Managing E-commerce. Lansdowne: Juta & Co, p. 76. Botha et. al. argue that due to the large size of the e-commerce market, the payment systems present many risks to the operators. Efforts have been made in order to address the payment risks. For instance, the authors reveal the approaches used by the MasterCard and Visa in developing some authentication standards. The information reveals that cardholders enroll for the scheme and then they register for their password. Further, the cardholders visit the merchants or site where the scheme is offered. This article supports this research, because it captures an essential security subject in the e-market platform. What the author fails to address is how to authenticate scammers’ sites, thus an indication that more in-depth survey needs to be carried out. However, this article remains relevant in supplying additional information to my research. Javier, S., Piotr, S.S., & Marian, N. (2012). E-Commerce and Intelligent Methods. New York: Physica-Verlag Heidelberg, p. 312. These authors illustrate that having a secure payment scheme is something important when it comes to e-commerce. Several organizations and institutions such as CyberCash, and First Virtual Bank, are carrying out their research data and recommendations on how to develop secure payment systems, to make the Internet a secure trading platform. In some platforms, secures systems have enriched the e-business, despite the fact that as technology advances, the security platforms should also be improved in order to overcome the emerging security challenges. Further, authors acknowledge the limitation of poor interfaces which need to be developed in aid of e-business payments. This can involve automatic invoicing, electronic transfer of funds, and automatic audits. The auto-payment systems make e-business easy, something that is crucial to this research on e-marketing. National Institute of Standards & Technology. (1996, April). Electronic Data Interchange. Retrieved from: http://www.itl.nist.gov/fipspubs/fip161-2.htm EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) is one of the methods used in transfer of data between two or more computer networks or systems. The big companies use it for e-commerce reasons, such as tracking and sending orders. The system is more elaborate than just a mere e-mail. It provides a suitable basis for e-commerce conversations between different entities. According to the surveys carried out by National Institute of Standards & Technology, the EDI software provides the required interface, something that makes the transaction viable and easier over the use of the paper system. This saves the companies a lot of money. The main barrier to this system is the initial set-up cost which is very high. Otherwise, this research acknowledges that EDI is an appropriate technology that facilitates e-commerce all over the world. Net Industries and its Licensors. (2013 ). Ecommerce-Advantages of EDI Format. Retrieved from: http://ecommerce.hostip.info/pages/384/Electronic-Data-Interchange-EDI.html The Net Industries & its Licensors present two main features that distinguish EDI from other information exchange systems. EDI involves business-to-business transactions, and transactions between databases or computers, and not between individuals. In other words, the individuals who use e-mail sending of messages in the Internet do not constitute EDI. EDI can be employed from point-to-point, especially in cases where organizations communicate with each other over private networks or Internet, or through value-added networks that are provided by third parties. Several business organizations have trained on how to use these systems. They are widespread and reliable, and that their incorporation makes business viable through different online platforms. The author, though his use of secondary literature, explores the standard languages that are used in EDI based systems. It is for this reason that this research finds EDI an international approach that has greatly moved ecommerce to higher standards. Yuhang, YM 2012, Green Communications and Networks: Proceeding of the International Conference on Green Communications and Networks (GCN 2011) p. 1488, Springer Dordrecht, New York. In order to sufficiently address the problem of e-commerce, a highly reliable, versatile, scalable, cost effective and easily acceptable cloud computing technique is required. Cloud computing has really enhanced e-commerce. Through Yuhang’s research, the cloud computing technology should be developed in support of future business. It comes it focus as a method of increasing the capacity or capabilities without having to invest on new infrastructure, licensing, and training of new personnel. It entails the expansion of the IT’s existing systems. The major limitations of this technology is that it is new, but has gained a totally new life in Amazon.com, IBM and other e-commerce enterprises in offering virtual storage and servers which can be accessed on demand. Brian, E.M., & Troy, J.S. (2003). Mobile Commerce: Technology, Theory, and Applications, IRM Press, Hershey. Brian and Troy illustrate on how mobile commerce is useful in building a brand. In the US, mobiles account for about 25 percent of all the online transactions. This has brought about a transformative impact on businesses such as eBay, Amazon and flash sales sites such as Gilt. Shopping on mobile is simpler. This technology has increased online spending and the total revenue earned by businesses. The main challenge to this e-commerce technology is that it does not have sufficient applications, since some are still being developed. The users are eager to test these new applications on mobile shopping. The e-commerce technologies are widely applied in the world. Several researchers are putting up solutions which shall shape the future e-commerce industry.  References Anthony, P., Denis, AP, & Ralph, Q 2012, Social Media’s Emerging Importance in Market Research, Journal of Consumer Marketing, Vol. 29 1ss: 3, pp. 233-237 Botha, J., Bothma, C. & Geldenhuys, P. (2004). Managing E-commerce. Lansdowne: Juta & Co, p. 76. Brian, E.M., & Troy, J.S. (2003). Mobile Commerce: Technology, Theory, and Applications, IRM Press, Hershey. Glen, D. (2007). Opinion Piece: Social Media: Should Marketers Engage and how can it be done effectively? Javier, S., Piotr, S.S., & Marian, N. (2012). E-Commerce and Intelligent Methods. New York: Physica-Verlag Heidelberg, p. 312. Merriam W. (2013), E-commerce. In The Webster Dictionary. Michael W. (2013), The Definition of E-commerce. In The Ecommerce Dictionary. National Institute of Standards & Technology. (1996, April). Electronic Data Interchange. Retrieved from: http://www.itl.nist.gov/fipspubs/fip161-2.htm Net Industries and its Licensors. (2013 ). Ecommerce-Advantages of EDI Format. Retrieved from: http://ecommerce.hostip.info/pages/384/Electronic-Data-Interchange-EDI.html  Yuhang, YM 2012, Green Communications and Networks: Proceeding of the International Conference on Green Communications and Networks (GCN 2011) p. 1488, Springer Dordrecht, New York. Read More