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Chapter 1: Electric commerce

An introduction to e-Commerce outlining: The three basic e-Commerce technologies The trading exchanges to which they apply

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Definition of e-Commerce
Formulating commercial transactions at a site remote from the trading partner and then using electronic communications to execute that transaction. The definition includes business to business and business to consumer transactions. Further definitions are given in Chapter 1, Section 1.2. Many definitions are much broader covering, for example, the commercial use of e-mail.

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E-Commerce technologies
Electronic Markets

EDI

Internet Commerce

The scope of e-Commerce technologies are: Electronic Markets Electronic Data Interchange Internet Commerce
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Electronic markets
The use of information and communications technology to present a range of offerings available in a market segment and hence enable: the purchaser to compare the prices (and other attributes); make a purchase decision. The usual example of an electronic market is an airline booking system. There is the potential for new electronic markets to be created using Internet technologies.

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Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)

EDI provides a standardised system for coding trade transactions so that they can be communicated directly from one computer system to another. EDI removes the need for printed orders and invoices and avoids the delays and errors implicit in paper handling. EDI is used by organisations that make a large number of regular transactions. Examples are the large supermarket chains and the vehicle assemblers which use EDI for transactions with their suppliers.

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Internet commerce
Information and communications technologies can also be used to advertise and make once-off sales of a wide range of goods and services. This type of e-Commerce is typified by the commercial use of the Internet. The Internet can, for example, be used for the purchase of books that are then delivered by post or the booking of tickets that can be picked up by the clients when they arrive at the event. It is to be noted that the Internet is not the only technology used for this type of service and this is not the only use of the Internet in e-Commerce.

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The trade cycle

Conducting a commercial transaction involves the following steps: Pre-Sale: Search - finding a supplier Negotiate agreeing the terms of trade Execution: Order Delivery Settlement: Invoice Payment After-sales, e.g. warrantee and service
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Generic trade cycles

The trade cycle varies depending on: The nature of the parties to the transaction The frequency of trade exchanges The nature of the goods or services being exchanged. Three generic trade cycles can be identified: Regular, repeat transactions between commercial trading partners (Repeat) Irregular transactions between commercial trading partners (Credit) Irregular transactions in once-off trading relationships (commercial or retail) (Cash)
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Generic trade cycles

Trade Cycle: Repeat Credit Search Negotiate Order Deliver Invoice Payment After Sales
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Cash Pre-Sale

Execution

Settlement After Sale

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Electronic markets
Emphasis on the search phase of the trade cycle Typically an inter-organisational credit trade cycle
Search Negotiate Order Deliver Invoice Paym ent After Sales
EM

Pre-Sale

Execution

Settlem ent After Sale

Limited applications airline seat bookings and financial sector the operation of the electronic market is not necessarily in the vendors interests. See Chapter 7 for further discussion.
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Electronic Data Interchange

Used for standardised, repeat, inter-organisational transactions
Search Negotiate Pre-Sale

Order
Deliver Invoice Paym ent After Sales

EDI

Execution

Settlem ent After Sale

Notable users of EDI are vehicle assemblers, component suppliers, and supermarkets (and other multiple retailers), ordering the goods to restock their shelves. See Chapters 8 through 11 for further discussion
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Internet commerce
Used for once-off transactions consumer or interorganisational transactions.
Search Negotiate Order Deliver Invoice Paym ent After Sales Pre-Sale

In e e t rn t

Execution

Settlem ent After Sale

Can apply to Search, Execution / Settlement and / or After Sales. Consumers pay at time of ordering businesses may have credit arrangements with the suppliers.
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e-Commerce in perspective
e-Commerce is not appropriate to all business transactions and, within e Commerce, there is no one technology that can or should be appropriate to all requirements.

Ele ron ct ic

M rk t a es

ED I

In e e t rn t Com rce e

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Chapter 1 Exercise 1
A European Union web site defines e-Commerce as:

Electronic Commerce is a general concept covering any form of business transactions or information exchange executed using information and communication technology, between companies, between companies and their customers, or between companies and public administrations. Electronic Commerce includes electronic trading of goods, services and electronic material. List technologies and applications that could be covered by this list and decide, in discussion, if they are usefully/appropriately classified as eCommerce.
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e ct ic le ron com e m rce stra e y tg t ch olog s e n ie ad n a p t s Suggest where and in what form Higgies Potted Beef could p lica ion

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Chapter 1 Exercise 2
Earnest Higginbottom Genuine Yorkshire Potted Beef Earnest Higginbottom started making Potted Beef in Heckmondwike in 1876 and the company has been run on traditional lines ever since. Recently the business has started to change: Traditional local outlets are being replaced by supermarkets; Native Yorkshire tykes living as far away as Liverpool and Los Angeles are ringing in to ask how to get hold of a bit of real potted beef. Suppliers, such as the maker of the jars, use computerised ordering systems

implement e-Commerce.

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