Electronic Business
E-business or electronic business refers to application technologies like information and communication technologies specifically in support of all business activities.
In commerce, there is exchange of goods and services between groups, businesses and individuals and these are the most essential activities in the business. The focus of e-commerce is the use of new technologies like information and communication technologies (ICT) in order to enable external activities and good relationships of the business with groups, individuals and other businesses. Methods of e-business enable companies to link their external and internal data processing systems much flexibly, efficiently to work much closely with partners and suppliers, and to improve on the satisfaction of expectations and needs of customers. E-business deals with more private usage and this means more secure networks. While the available networks offer user security, they also attribute to more efficient and effective management of the firm internal functions.
Usage of internet-enabled mobile devices in accessing World Wide Web is promising to the traditional and web e-commerce. E-business deals with an overall strategy, which focuses on the emphasis on particular functions that result to electronic use capabilities. In e-business, a special technical standard facilitates the exchange of data between the companies (Rushinek, 1984, p. 419-524). Web server (Hardware and Software) E-Commence software In e-business, it is important that an organization consider which web hosting service provider to choose.
Web hosting service provider refers to the service that makes the website available to viewers on the internet. The web host provides a space on its server so that other computers around the world through networks or modems can access the website. Currently, there are web-hosting services, which range from free services that have limited options to expensive services. For example, free web hosting is a good option for personal and smaller websites. It is affordable to users and easy to manage as compared to just host prices, which are slightly higher. It provides all types of features like CGI, chart, email and phone support, and does not limit the user on data transfer or the disk space.
Its contingencies and permanent locations make it reliable in terms of providing user satisfaction. In addition to this, it offers services that are easy to access and user friendly; as well as refunding users their money when services are not satisfactory meaning it has additional benefit features (Hinson, 2003,p. 112-125). Incidences and Preventive Management 1 Internal and external organizational operations require preventive management to develop effective solutions to potential and actual problems arising. E-business depends on the critical threshold of online users, meaning when more people go online, there are more opportunities for e-business and value of the network increase as compared to when few people go online, meaning low opportunities for online exchange.
According to the case study, violated confidentiality of user information may cause an organization to lose its position in the market and gain negative publicity as well employees losing their jobs. Inadequate infrastructure plays a major role in hindering e-business globally in developing countries. Issues lke access to communication infrastructure, internet services like software and hardware come out as serious obstacles in all developing countries. For example, Africa where infrastructure development is poor; this takes for common citizen several years to benefit from e-commerce. The costs of connection through telephone lines are major aspects of infrastructure.
Additionally, government policies can also be an obstacle to e-business development because in internet and telephone connections usually pass through the Communication Authority showing how monopoly contributes to limited choices (Tapscott, 1999, p.382). Incidences and Preventive Management 2 While e-business may encounter challenges, several solutions are achievable to solve actual and potential problems in an organization. To prevent such occurrences, the organization needs to develop management policies such as communication policies to protect user information, employee and organizational reputation. Organizational communication policies reduce chances of conflicts between employees and customers as well as manage the good flow of information both outside and within the organization.
Good communication policies in e-business organizations make it easy in transitions like layoffs or mergers. Unlike the case study, the organization needs to emphasize on systematic rules and regulation policies concerning user and employee communication, such that third parties do not access user information. The organization should give employees professional training in handling customer information and relating with other employees within the organization. In incidences of employee misconduct or customer complaints, the organization needs to implement disciplinary procedures and back up plans for customers. The organization stands higher chances of losing its credibility with unsatisfied customers. Organization credibility does not only create market value in terms of services offered, it also determines customer preferences to other organizations (Durbhakula, 2011, P.
1-12).Mobile Programming – Part 1 (Web Software). In reference to Theme Forest’s Bag Magento, mobile programming should have unique and various features that meet customer needs and preferences. These mobile programs vary in different technological devices meaning programming does not have to vary so that customers will feel content with their choice of devices as well as their preferences of what networks and programs to use. Since organizations and customers prefer different programs and mobile devices, offered features also have to be creative to ensure customer motivation to use new invented products. For example, templates in mobile programs should be easy and clear to customize, new product in home page, different options of brand slider logos and option box for zooming images.
In addition, it should have other possibilities of various menu types (vertical and horizontal) and navigation links, new block on product page and options for scrolling thumbnail images. For this reason, e-business has to ensure that their mobile programming options are readily available to customers and quick to implement. With every program, response from customers is motivated concerning the affectivity and flexibility of mobile programs (Amit, and Zott, 2001, p. 493-520). Mobile Programming – Part 2 (Application).
In order for e-business to be successfully implemented, significant changes are required to existing business process and a substantial investments in IS technology. The technology components used should be carefully chosen and integrated to support a huge volume of transactions with suppliers, customers and other business partners worldwide. Most of online customers complain of poor web site performance, for example, inadequate customer support, slow response time and lost orders. Customers claim that these problems drive them to abandon some of the e-commerce sites and join those with better and more reliable performance. In some cases, customers do not have the capacity and skills to operate the available programs. Web server hardware with a complete combination of appropriate software guidelines provides a crucial e-commerce infrastructure ingredient.
This way, every customer can read instructions without relying on others for help. The storage capacity and computing power required for the web server depends mostly on the software that is able to run on the server and the transaction volume processed. Customers can be able to operate all systems because of their features and guidelines (Bressler, 2007, p. 23-36). RecommendationsWith e-business, organizations and customers prefer to use new technology such as RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) and mobile applications. With RFID, an organization can effectively communicate to a massive number of people at the same time yet consume less time.
Mobile applications on the other hand offer users the freedom and flexibility to access information because people use their own phones. Implementation of new technology in e-business may be easy and effective if all applications apply to daily life of users through guidelines; for example, applying science in daily life by using hot water to lids. This way it will be easier for customers and organizations adopting them because it will create opportunities for growth and development. The future of new technology in e-business relies on new inventions. Developing countries governments’ should install internet infrastructure to lower in e-business requirements for organizations.
The internet cables should be independent for security and freedom of business conduction without interference (Al-Qirim, 2007, p. 107-131). Conclusion E-business is a promising kind of business, which is growing at a high rate, and for it to continue accelerating, peoples in developing countries that are not aware of it should be informed. This will keep the threshold on a high note and this will not only increase online exchange but also bring competition and knowledge to many people. E-business deals with more private usage and this means more secure networks. While the available networks offer user security, they also attribute to more efficient and effective management of the firm internal functions.
Web hosting service provider offers services that are easy to access and user friendly; as well as refunding users their money when services are not satisfactory meaning it has additional benefit features. With the right preventive management policies and variety programs, both customers and organization can benefit from e-business services. In addition, infrastructure can give a promising future for organizations in e-business.
