Overview of E-Commerce

This document provides an overview of e-commerce, discussing key factors that will define its future, the features and functionalities of an e-commerce website, successful business models, and the impact of e-commerce on industry competitiveness. It also explores the implications of cloud printing and the internet of things, as well as the business model and elements of Amazon. Additionally, it covers the benefits and disadvantages of wearables, examples of the internet of things, and technologies for building an e-commerce site. The document concludes with recommendations for building an efficient e-commerce system and suggestions for an e-commerce suite software package.

Sir name:1
OVERVIEW OF E-COMMERCE
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Professor
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PART A
Question one
Key factors that will define the future of e-commerce.
It is tough to predict the future of e-commerce, but we can look at the following factors that give
a throughway to the future of e-commerce.
Marketing strategy.
This makes it possible for a customer to take continued interest in the services provided by the
company. For example, Amazon provides efficient services to customers who continue to utilize
its services in transactions (Rezanov, 55). This is because of regular advertisement regarding its
existence in various websites, increasing the awareness to the customers(Olivé, 20)
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Mobile commerce
This is another crucial point in the future of e-commerce. This includes utilizing responsive web
design to bring e-commerce in mobile devices; a similar one in a desktop will make e-commerce
more efficient. Example computer software/hardware, outfits, and home products are the most
purchased online products, financial services, retail services, and travel services are the first
service category.
Question 2
The following are the features and functionalities of an e-commerce website.
An e-commerce website is essential for running an online business. However, it is vital to have
one with all the essential features to assure success. Firstly, a shopping cart is an integral part of
an e-commerce store; this is where your end user consumers store their products to continue with
the checkup process. Secondly, an e-commerce server should have order management; an
equipped order management panel simplifies the task of merchants where one can get full
information regarding buyer cancellation/refunds/order status update and more.
The following factors should be included in decision making while selecting e-commerce
software:
One is pricing and payment, and whether you are a small business getting started or an already
established business, you need to know what you will be paying. All software will charge some
monthly fee, depending on the type of software package you get.
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Meaning of b2b exchanges and an example of one the successful business model.
Business to business exchanges is electronic market places where participants are allowed to
trade straightforwardly with a wide range of buyers and sellers across the internet.
One of the most successful models is the supplier-oriented marketplace; a market place where
there are many buyers and a few suppliers. For example, Cisco owns an online market place
which is globally known as the Cisco connection online. One of the benefits of the buyer is
access to dynamic information to support queries for buyer decision making; also, the supplier is
not prevented from accessing markets in terms of geography or native borders.
The main limitation is the uncertainty; the high level of uncertainty is causing widespread
anxiety among executives.
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How e-commerce and internet have impacted on the five forces of industry
competitiveness.
Internet and e-commerce have significantly impacted on the five forces of industry
competitiveness. Firstly, focusing on the improved technology, the enablement of business to e-
business the five forces of competitiveness are significantly affected. As the information
accessibility is increased, the bargaining powers of both the suppliers and customers increase,
and thus, the information gap is narrowed. This results in lower bargaining power for the firm
and may lead to lower profits.
Internet and e-commerce web development increase the dynamic nature of industrial structure .e-
business models increases easier entry into the industry. Companies may choose to outsource to
other firms in the value chain rather than perform most activities in-house. This makes
management for new entrants easy, and thus the threat of new entrants may go up.
Implications of cloud printing for e-commerce.
Cloud printing has reduced the cost incurred in building and running websites because the
required software and hardware infrastructure can be licensed as a service from cloud service
providers at a smaller amount for purchasing these services as products.
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The following shows the meaning, benefits and some of the significant issues about the
internet of things.
This refers to a system of an ever-growing network that features an IP address for secure
connectivity to the internet and the communication that occurs between the physical objects and
other internet-enabled devices. Internet of things provides data; the more the information
provided by IoT, the easier it is to make the right decision.
Another significant benefit of the internet of things is that computers help keep track of the
quality and viability of things at home. This is of at most important as it will help the consumer
to the expiry date of products before consumption hence improving the quality of life. Internet of
thing helps in saving time; this refers to the time that could have been spent in monitoring and
the number of trips done.
One of the significant issues in the internet of things is that it may lead to loss of jobs. Also, it
may lead to over-reliance on technology.
The business model that Amazon uses
Amazon uses the innovation tactical business model to enhance its success within the
competitive business environment. This model enhances flexibility through improvement in
service delivery by the company.
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The 8 elements of Amazon’s Business model.
1. Value proposition
 Low cost provider increasing purchasing power of the consumers.
 Broad selection enabling consumer choice
 Provides sufficient information for the products
2. Revenue model
 High sales of its products
3. Market opportunity
 Increased marketing through international segmentation.
4. Competitive environment
 Other online businesses enable it to improve its services.
5. Competitive advantage
 First mover advantage
 Superior customer service
 Strategic alliance and affiliate partners
6. Market strategy
 Has customer service base in many other countries
 Product promotion through various media.
7. Organizational development
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 Control department
 Product development and studio
 Europe operations
 Global advertising sales
8. Management team
 Talented and experienced managers
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The following are the potential benefits and some disadvantages of wearables
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Wearables have a significant benefit in that benefit in that they can alert you of messages,
incoming calls, emails and much more without putting your concentration on the phone.
Wearables have led to possibilities of increased convenience and connectivity. They can
conveniently track your data, health and exercise habits for your overall well-being. This is
because wearables are meant to make our lives safer and much more efficient.
Also, wearables have a few disadvantages; one is little battery life that requires frequent
charging, making it challenging to go for long distances. The price of wearables is believed to be
much more expensive.
Three examples of the internet of things and how they work.
One example of the IoT is the Canary smart security system; its main aim is to provide an all in
one solution to home security issues. It works in partnership with Google assistant and the
Amazon Alexa and also the AL technology. Its features include; a 1080 high definition camera,
microphone, and a90- decibel siren plus a built-in eliminate monitor. This iot shows that other
than making processes more efficient, it can have more extensive uses at home.
Cisco connected factory is another excellent example. This connected factory works because of
the internet of things. Cisco can control factories and machines.
This increases efficiency and helps secure access to the weak points in the manufacturing
process that can be optimized.
Kisi smart lock; this is a unique example of the internet of things. This is because it has
applications outside of residential locks.
As seen from these few examples, the future of e-commerce is bright.
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Benefits of the internet of things
Efficient processing; this is because origination can track better and form useful insights at real
time. The technology behind the internet of things allows us to make the best decision and gain
visibility to procurement and business operations. Secondly, it improves productivity, thus helps
to make profits.
Another significant benefit of iot is that it will help you stay connected to other devices such as;
phone, television, or vehicles and hence help to track your day to day activities.
Technologies and options were available in building an e-commerce site.
The technologies to be used include; java, python, and javascript, among others. I recommend
the management to outsource in the value chain rather than use in the house. This will also help
in access to experts who are skilled in developing the e-commerce site.
Recommendation.
I would recommend them to use Shopify as it helps online businesses to access the globe with
great focus on trending social commerce and most of all, mobile shopping. Its main advantage is
that it has kept up the pace of evolving e-commerce trends and technologies.
In conclusion, today’s business must always find ways to bring the best that consumers want
because consumers desire that the products/services should be continuously cheaper and better.
Various options for building the website by Yup Inc.
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Outsourcing of experts
Outsourcing would be beneficial for the company because the task shall be handled by a team of
experts in website design who will ensure that the organization secures an efficient e-commerce
system. Outsourcing is also prominent because it shall cut some of the operational costs that
would have been incurred by the company to secure the relevant soft wares to facilitate the entire
process.
Adopted technologies.
Omni-channel support
This technology would enable the customers to interact with the company agents who shall offer
any form of help where necessary to the customers (Tsiavos 90).
Examples of Omnichannel support
Use of video chat
This feature would enable the face to face interaction between the customers and the company,
which would enhance clarifications where necessary.
Co-browsing
This feature is crucial because it enables the customers and the agents to be on the same page
where they guide the customers through some complex procedures that might be involved in the
website.
E-commerce mobile application
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The company can create a mobile application to have access to a large number of potential
customers in a competitive business environment.
The recommendation that fits the company's interest
Use of the suggested technology
This technology would ensure that the company has access to a large number of consumers
across the world through the provision of efficient support and services.
E-commerce suite software package efficient for the e-commerce system.
CS-Cart shopping solutions
This software enables the business person to create an online store for the goods. The software is
designed with a storefront to cater for various business projects conducted online. The software
is designed to accommodate small and mid-sized web stores, together with multidepartment
shopping malls (Ullah 82). It has an inbuilt inventory control system and various tools for
product promotion features that would be very vital for the success of the company. In
conclusion, despite the few disadvantages, they are making life more comfortable and efficient.
Efforts should be made to curb the few problems.
Work cited
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Olivé, Antoni. "A formal method for conceptual fit analysis." Complex Systems Informatics and
Modeling Quarterly 5 (2015): 14-25.
Rezanov, Vladimir. "RUSSIAN ONLINE SHOPPING LOGISTIC MARKET-CASE STUDY:
SINOTRANS LOGISTICS & PACKAGING CO." (2018).50-60
Tsiavos, Vasilios, and Βασίλειος Τσιάβος. "Best practices for the successful internationalization
of online shops." (2015).80-105
Ullah, Syed Emdad, Tania Alauddin, and Hasan U. Zaman. "Developing an E-commerce
website." 2016 International Conference on Microelectronics, Computing and
Communications (MicroCom). IEEE, 2016.80-85
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