So this week, Friday the 5^th of August was our first class. We discussed the course and various interesting facts about eBusiness, eCommerce and the internet. Dallas gave us some back ground information on some of the major companies that we deal with every day such as Yahoo, Google and eBay. We discussed the difference between the Internet- a massive network of networks, millions of computers connected around the world and the World Wide Web – a way of accessing information over the internet.

As part of our assessment we are to keep a blog as an online journal each week. Here we will post what we have learnt each week as well as answer the weekly topic questions. My answers to the Topic 1 Questions are as follows.    

1. Internet risks – what can go wrong with a transactional site?

·         Security problems (privacy issues, identity theft) this could lead to a lack of trust from potential customers.

·         Technical problems with the site it’s self.

2. Write down a definition for each:
1. E-Commerce:

From what I can gather from my research E-commerce relates to the process of conducting sales on line. It has a much more specific meaning than E-business. It relates directly to the trading, buying and selling on line. 

2. E-business:

E-business is far less specific term. It relates to anything to do with information technology in business.

    

3. What is the difference between buy side and sell side eCommerce?

The main difference I can gather from Figure 1.1 The distinction between buy-side and sell-side e-commerce (Knox, 20011, slide 12). Is that one side (buy side) is dealing with suppliers and the other side (sell side) is dealing with customers. 

4. Describe the different types of eBusiness

According to figure 1.2 Summary and examples of transaction alternatives between businesses, consumers and governmental organisations. There are nine (9) different types of eBusinesses. (Knox, 2011, slide 13)

                                                                          

Consumer-to-Consumer (C2C) refers to sites such as eBay, where consumers can on sell products to other consumers.

The advantage of consumer to consumer e-commerce is most often the reduced costs and smaller but profitable customer base. It also gives many small business owners a way to sell their goods without running a highly profit draining bricks-and-mortar store (Hill, 2009).

Consumer-to-business (C2B) is an electronic commerce business model in which consumers (individuals) offer products and services to companies and the companies pay for them (Hill, 2009).

According to many sites I have looked at, this type of e business is a complete reversal of traditional business models. This type of business has been made possible by the internets ability to connect large numbers of people in a bidirectional manner, unlike the traditional single direction process. Also the increased availability and lowered cost of technology.

Consumer-to-Government (C2G) in this model, an individual consumer interacts with the government. For example, a consumer can pay his income tax or house tax online. The transactions involved in this case are C2G transactions (e-Commerce Models, ‘n.d.’)

Furthermore, according to figure 1.2 Summary and examples of transaction alternatives between businesses, consumers and governmental organisations. This model can also include feedback to Government through pressure groups. (Knox 2011, slide 13) 

Business-to-Consumer (B2C) this model involves transactions between business organizations and consumers. It applies to any business organization that sells its products or services to consumers over the Internet (e-Commerce Models, ‘n.d.’).

Business-to-Business (B2B) this is where businesses interact with each other, and can buy and use or buy and on sell each others products and services.

Business-to-Government (B2G) a derivative of the term Business to Business, or B2B, the description Business to Government (B2G) is used for transactions between a company and Government bodies and agencies (WebDynamic, ‘n.d.’). This is where businesses transact with the government on line. Simular to the C2G businesses can pay their taxes online (e-Commerce Models, ‘n.d.’).

Government-to-Consumer (G2C) this is where the government interacts with the public. It can involve taxation payments as well as general government information and local government information. (knox, 2011, slide 13)

Government-to-Business (G2B) in this model the government interacts with businesses. This interaction can range from taxation, information on government services and information on legal regulations. (Knox, 2011, slide 13)

Government-to-Government (G2G) this model is the sharing of information between governments. It also relates to inter government services. (Knox, 2011, slide 13)

  

5. Which digital technology has the highest penetration rate? Explain and source your answer.

I would say with out a doubt that the mobile phone has the highest penetration rate. I say this with no research. I am yet to visit a country that does not have mobile phone technology, including many developing countries. My 82 year old Grandmother has a mobile phone as does my friend’s 8 year old daughter.

The adoption rate for mobile phone users in the UK was 85% in 2005 that was up from around 15% in 1997. (Knox, 2011, slide 14)

Another article stated that the global penetration rate for mobile phone users would reach 61% by the end of 2008 the article stated that this was up from just 12% in the year 2000 (Winder, 2008).  

6. List: Four drivers to adoption of sell-side e-commerce by business.

·         Increasing speed with which supplies can be obtained

·         Increasing speed with which goods can be dispatched

·         Reduced sales and purchasing costs

·         Reduced operating costs (Knox, 2011, slide 16)

7. Four barriers to adoption of sell-side e-commerce by business.

·         High set up cost.

·         Running costs.

·         Lack of time/resources.

·         Difficulty integrating IT systems. (Knox, 2011 slide 20)

8. How might a restaurant in Sturt Street Ballarat benefit from an online presence?

A restaurant would benefit from an on line presence in a variety of ways. They could display their menu, advertise, advertise weekly specials and up coming events or entertainment, take bookings and even take pre ordered meals online. As well as opening and closing times and holiday period trade, as seen in this restaurant website www.tinamberhotel.com

9. What are some examples of Digital information?

·         Television,

·         Photography

·         Stock market reports

·         Weather reports

·         Phone numbers and addresses of businesses

·         Product information and advertisements

 

10. What is the semantic web? Are we there yet?

As I understand it, the semantic web is a more intelligent web system, that will be more user friendly and able to perform much more complicated procedures. An article in Scientific American^TM  stated ‘The Semantic Web is not a separate Web but an extension of the current one, in which information is given well-defined meaning, better enabling computers and people to work in cooperation. The first steps in weaving the Semantic Web into the structure of the existing Web are already under way. In the near future, these developments will usher in significant new functionality as machines become much better able to process and "understand" the data that they merely display at present (Berners-Lee, Hendler & Lassila, 2001).’

I believe we are well on the way to a semantic web but I don’t think we are there yet. 

References

Hill, D (2009). Darrell Hill Business technology Defined. Retrieved August, 9, 2011,  from http://www.darrell-hill.com/e-business/consumer-to-business-c2b

Winder, D (2008, September 25) 61 percent of global population now using mobile phones. itwire. p. 1 Retrieved August 9, 2011, from http://www.itwire.com/your-it-news/mobility/20824-61-percent-of-global-population-now-using-mobile-phones

e-Commerce Models (‘n.d.’) [e-Commerce Models defined]. Retrieved August 8, 2011, from http://www.eservglobal.com/uploads/files/index.pdf

Knox, I (2011). Topic 1 introduction to ebusiness. [PowerPoint slides]. BC501: eBusiness Fundamentals. UB, EG TAFE.

Berners-Lee, T., Hendler, J. & Ora, L. (2001, May 17). The Semantic Web. Scientific American^TM. Retrieved August 9, 2011, from http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=the-semantic-web

WebDynamic. (‘n.d.’). Glossary. Retrieved August 9, 2011, from http://www.webdynamic.com.au/online-shop/business-to-government.html