~welcome to e-commerce world~

Post by Jackie, 7 July 09 @ 5:49pm

Blogs is a short form for weblogs. A blog is a site on the internet where a writer can present his thoughts about a particular topic. Visitors to a blog can post their comments and views of what they feel towards the writer’s blog. The blogging trend is not limited to individuals alone. In fact, many organizations are starting to create their own blogs. This is known as corporate blogging. Corporate blogging is where executives, stakeholders, vendors, and employees post their thoughts and opinions on certain subjects.

There are two main types of corporate blogs which are internal blogs and external blogs.

• An internal blog is accessed through the organization’s intranet and can be viewed only by the employees of that organization. This allows for employee participation by presenting their discussions of issues and also provides direct communication between upper and lower layers of an organization. It gives the employees in the organization a sense of belonging.

2. External Blogs.

• An external blog is accessible to the public to share their views and opinions. Organizations usually use external blogs to introduce new products and services offered by their company. Furthermore, it gives an opportunity the public to give critic on the organization if they are not satisfied with the products and services offered. However, certain corporate blogs do not allow any comments to be made on the posts.

Corporate blogging entered into the mainstream in May 2005, when the front cover of Business Week boldly stated that 'Blogs will change your business'. Meaning that, traditional marketing techniques no longer appropriate for today’s markets and skeptical customers. This is because blogs can help corporate communication’s strategy achieve company’s overall objective by clearly communicating the organization’s message. Furthermore, some organizations have created blogs for external marketing and Public relations.

Corporate blogging is a new effective marketing communication tool because it is most helpful when people are in located in two different locations or have different schedules and need to discuss on urgent matters. Beside that, as compared to the traditional form of marketing, blogs offer a more honest and open communication channel. This is great when organizations want to evaluate customer’s feedback on products and services. It is also a good communication tool due to the fact that Howard Dean, an American politician, was the first to person to use weblog to run for his presidential campaign. In addition, corporate blogging is less costly as compared to thousands of dollars spent on television and radio commercial, and newspaper and magazine advertising. Weblogs are also effective as the messages posted up will not be wrongly interpreted and is assured that there is no misunderstanding among readers.

References:

http://twoday.net/static/maximus/files/seminarpaper.pdf

http://kathleenkenney.com/images/sample_writing/pr_writing/StrategicBlogsInCorpCom.pdf

http://www.nirf.org/_upl/effective_corporate_blogging1.pdf

Post by Jackie, 3 July 09 @ 10:08 pm

• This card represents talk time that users acquire in advance. For instance, if you purchase a prepaid phone card for RM 10, you can use up to RM10 of talk time depending on the call rates per minute to the destination that you make. People like to use prepaid phone cards because they don’t have to carry coins or notes around, and furthermore, calls can be made from payphones, mobile phones, and landlines. The cards are mostly used for overseas calls as the rate per-minute is cheaper as compared to other telecommunications provider. Besides that, prepaid phone cards can purchase from any grocery stores, phone shops, and even newsstands.

2. Prepaid Debit Card.

• This card is very frequently used all over the world because; it can be used to make international payments without the fuss of waiting for neither bank’s approval for clearance and only a minimal fees is charged for bank transfers. All one needs to do is to ensure the card is loaded with cash and transactions can be carried out. Alternatively, if there is insufficient cash on the card, the users need to reload their cards with money from their bank accounts. The purchase amount will then be directly deducted from amount loaded onto the card. This card is most practical for e commerce transactions.

3. Prepaid Smart Card.

• It uses Mifare contactless technology, which is an internationally recognized standard for contactless smartcard. In Malaysia, the Touch ‘n Go card uses this technology for payments made on highways, public transports, selected parking and theme parks. Each time a user touches their card on the electronic reader, the precise fee imposed will be deducted automatically. As you can see from the picture below, as of this moment, Touch ‘n Go cards can even be used at fast food outlets.

4. Prepaid Gift Card

• Instead of giving someone gift vouchers as a present, why not give them a prepaid gift card instead? MasterCard offers customers an easier gift solution as this gift card can be used at millions of stores located worldwide and the person receiving the card can spend a maximum of the amount that is on the card.

References:

http://www.mastercard.com/uk/personal/en/findacard/prepaidcard/prepaid_gift.html
http://www.mastercard.com/uk/personal/en/findacard/prepaidcard/about_prepaid.html
http://www.therichcom.com/phoneCardsguide.asp
http://www.touchngo.com.my/WhatTNG_card_TNG_1a.html
http://blog.saimatkong.com/index.php/2008/04/13/you-can-use-touch-%e2%80%99n-go-card-to-buy-burgers-by-next-saturday/

Post by Jackie, 3 July 09 @ 10:07 pm

Electronic currency is a digital symbol of physical money. It allows consumers to pay for goods or services by sending a number from one computer to another. It is done by transferring funds electronically, from one party to another, where it is cleared and protected by a strong encryption. This benefits the users as it offers more safety and less risk to them.

Furthermore, as E-commerce is evolving to be used widely, electronic currency is making it simpler for consumers to spend online. Usually, a user can purchase electronic currency by connecting to the Internet and certifying ownership of their account. This is followed by the user withdrawing the required amount and the bank issues a unique random number in an electronic coin format. The electronic coin has a serial number whereby the bank signs with their private key. The user will then store the electronic coins on their hard drive.

A unique type of electronic currency is E-Gold. E-Gold is an electronic currency issued by e-gold Ltd., a Nevis corporation. It is done by integrating an account system that allows the consumers to use gold as money. When one consumer carries out the e-gold payment, only the rights over it changes to the other party. The gold however, is still kept in the treasury vault.

1. Mondex.

• Electronic currency can be transferred by a system called Mondex. Mondex is a type of smart card that keeps 5 different types of currencies and transmits cash on the internet. A consumer can make a purchase from any online vendors that accept Mondex by inserting their Mondex card into the card reader and validating with the vendor’s Mondex device, the value of the transaction will be transferred onto the vendor’s card.
  

2. Mark Twain.

• Another type of electronic currency system is Mark Twain. Firstly, a consumer must open a World Currency Access (WCA) account. The WCA is a money market deposit account that bears interest and is accessible to customers free of the electronic currency program. To use electronic currency from their WCA account, a consumer must make transfer of funds by telephone, facsimile, mail or e-mail, from the WCA account to an individual "electronic currency mint" non-interest-bearing account. Following this, the electronic currency amount is downloaded from the electronic currency mint to the consumer’s computer via the internet. The funds are then transferred again to a pooled account at Mark Twain’s. Vendors who are paid by electronic currency can then cash in the amount received.
  

Electronic currency provides some of the benefits as follow:

1. Confidentiality

• Electronic currency is known to be anonymous. For instance, when a consumer sends electronic currencies to a vendor, the vendor will have no idea who the consumer is. This is a completely different feature as compared to credit cards. Furthermore, using electronic currencies can protect the confidentiality of the consumer as banks are also unable to obtain consumer’s personal information.
  

2. Security.

• Electronic currency is protected by encryption of RSA cryptography which makes it difficult to crack the code. Cryptograph is created by using digital signature. Digital signatures require an electronic private key on the sender’s part and a public key on the recipient’s part. Thus, even though people have doubts about internet safety, consumers carrying out electronic currency transactions are probably more secured while carrying out transactions online as compared to conventional way of doing business.
  

There are still some of the disadvantages of electronic currency:

1. Fraud.

• When a consumer misplaces their private key and funds are withdrawn by an unknown party, the bank will not know about it. The consumer will then be liable for any transaction carried out. Furthermore, if the security code is hacked and message interrupted, the unknown party can commit fraud on the intended recipient of the message.

2. Peer-to-peer double spending.

• This only occurs when consumer decides not to have the bank as an intermediary. This is because if the consumer includes the bank as an intermediary, the bank will check for double spending on behalf of the consumer and stop it immediately. However, if the consumer chooses a peer-to-peer transaction, nothing can be done if there is double spending on a transaction.

• It is a fully integrated service offered by Trustgate which is intended to protect intranet, extranet and Internet applications. It is done by combining presentation, flexibility, and magnitude with impressive availability and security. Besides that, companies are able create a strong PKI and Certification Authority (CA) system with full control over security policies, PKI hierarchies, authentication models, and certificate lifecycle management which can be done efficiently and effectively by reducing time and cost when MPKI is used. This service also enables a quicker operation and less operating costs while providing an arena that is able to integrate with software solutions that can be easily purchased from outlets or vendor.
  

2. MyTrust.

• Using MyTrust, users are able to transform their SIM cards into Mobile Digital Identity for a secured and trusted financial services performed online. MyTrust application can be conveniently done with a digital signature where users can digitally place their signature when conducting transactions simply via their hand phones.

3. SSL Certificates.

• Another type of third party certification is the SSL Certificate which is used for Internet, intranet and server security which is offered by VeriSign. VeriSign is the world leading SSL provider.

i) Global Server ID (GSID)

• It is by far the strongest encryption programme available in the market for protected communication via Server Gated Cryptography (SGC) technology. This technology validates your web sites to secure communications and transactions carried out on the site. Furthermore, GSID comes with a VeriSign Secured Seal that can be shown on your website. This seal is a verification that your web site is authentic, giving your customers assurance that any business carried out on that website is safe from intruders.

ii) Secure Server ID

• Using Secure Server ID, users can transfer sensitive and confidential information on intranets, web sites, and extranets. This programme also comes with a Verisign Secured Seal.

iii) Managed PKI for SSL (Multiple Server Certificates)

• It is designed for companies which have 5 or more SSL Certificates in the organization. It can be used specially for numerous servers.

4. Personal ID

• This application can be applied for the use of transactions, documents, and e-mails. The types of Personal IDs are:-

i) Secure Transaction with Digital ID.

• Users can secure private and confidential information by using Digital ID to sign and encrypt transaction details. Digital ID uses a private key and public key application for authentication, authorization, and integrity.

ii) CryptoSuite.

• CryptoSuite is used to protect your files and documents by merely clicking the mouse once. It applies the Digital Certificate to encrypt files and documents so that only the proposed recipient with the public key can have access by decrypting it.

iii) Secured E-mail.

• It also uses Digital ID to sign. Furthermore, it also encrypts your e-mails so that no one can have unauthorized access to it. The Digital ID is an electronic replacement for a handwritten signature and it provides assurance to your intended recipient that the e-mails are from the actual sender. The encrypted e-mail secures them from being read by intruders.

5. MyKad PKI.

• It enables the MyKad holders to carry out online transactions with the government and private organizations. In order to do so, users will need MyKey which works with their MyKad to authenticate themselves and to digitally sign transactions.

6. SSL Virtual Private Network for Remote Access Services (SSL VPN).

• Trustgate’s SSL VPN solution is based on the Secure Socket Layer (SSL) which can be organized to access several intranet sites with only a sole sign-on. All a user needs is a basic browser and Internet connection. This is practical if suppliers, partners, and customers need to access the organizations network from remote areas. Furthermore, this solution has a policy to authenticate users and the type of devices they use. This policy may be extended to two-form authentication. For example, tokens, downloaded Java applets, challenge-respond or static password stored in your device, or a one-time password which will be sent by SMS to your mobile. This provides extra security features for an organization.

References:

http://www.msctrustgate.com/

Post by Jackie, 16 June 09 @ 7:07pm

Revenue model is a combination of strategies and techniques which an organization uses in order to generate income. There are five main types of revenue models :-

1. Sales.

• Revenue from sales of goods, product information and services of an organization.

2. Transaction Fees

• Commision generated based on the volume of transactions achieved. The more transactions are made, the more revenue incurred.

3. Advertisement Fees.

• Organizations allow other companies to advertise in their websites in return for a fee paid. This fee is called advertisement fees.

4. Subsrciption Fees.

• Organizations charge a fixed amount of fees to customers that subscribe to their contents and services. Fees are charged monthly or annually.

5. Affiliate Fees

• Organizations get commission for referring customers to other companies websites.
  

Google's revenue Model

Google gets a large amount of revenue from advertising fees. Their advertising revenue is generated mainly from Google AdWords, Google Adsense and Froggle. Besides that, Google Answers also produce some revenue for the company.

Google AdWords generates more than 90% of the total advertising fees. It is a pay per click advertising program which allows the users to get the information that they need as soon as they start searching for it. Google generates revenue when advertisers present advertisements to the public whom are looking for the information related to what the advertiser is offering and everytime the advertisement is clicked, Google gets paid a certain amout.



Google AdSense is a progamme where owners need to enroll to allow text, image and, video advertisements on their sites. Google generates revenue when the advertisement is clicked or per-thousand-ads-displayed basis.


Froggle is a service which enables users to easily search for products selling online. Froggle is unlike other search engines as it does not charge any fees for listing nor commision on sales. However, it generates revenue by providing advertising space for lease in Froggle in the form of AdWords.

References:
http://www.organicspam.com/google_revenue_model.asp

Amazon's Revenue Model


Amazon generates their revenue mainly by the retail sales of music CDs, DVDs, software, books, personal care items, household, electronics, toys and etc. They are one of America's largest online retailers. This is all done on Amazon Marketplace.

Amazon Marketplace is also a good revenue model for Amazon. A commission rate is charged based on the sale sprice, transaction fee, and a closing fee. These consist of the sales revenue and transaction fee revenue model.

Moreover, Amazon.com also generates revenue by their Amazon Associates Program. This progam is an affiliate program which contributes to their revenue. The fees charged for the affiliate links ranges from 4% to 10% of the product price. For example, Amazon.com receives a commision based on how many products or services of other company's are displayed.

References:

http://www.davechaffey.com/Internet-Marketing/C2-Internet-micro-environment/Online-revenue-models

http://www.ecommerce-guide.com/solutions/affiliate/article.php/3493196

eBay Revenue Model

eBay is an online auction and shopping website where a community of individuals and businesses are able to buy and sell goods and services worldwide. The eBay Marketplace generates a major amount of revenue for eBay as thousands of eager users go online everyday worldwide to buy and sell collectibles, furniture, vehicles, equipment and many more. The items are available for purchase through auction-style or fixed-price trading.

PayPal is one of the revenue models of eBay. It allows for payments to be made and transferred through the internet. It charges a transaction fee at a certain percentage for the collection of money.

Besides that, another revenue model of eBay is Skype. It generates revenue by making premium offerings such as making and receiving calls to and from mobile phones, landlines, voicemail, call forwarding, and even personalization of ringtones.

References:

http://www.davechaffey.com/E-commerce-Internet-marketing-case-studies/eBay-case-study-e-commerce

http://pages.ebay.com/aboutebay/thecompany/companyoverview.html

1. the web as platform.




2. underlying philosophy of relinquishing control.




3. glocalization (making global information available to local social contexts and giving people the flexibility to find, organize, share and create information in a locally meaningful fashion that is globally accessible)




4. data, interface and metadata no longer need to go hand in hand.




5. action-at-a-distance interactions and ad hoc integration.




6. giving up control and setting the data free.

Electronic commerce is the cheapest and fastest way to do business as one can simply go on the internet 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year with just a click of the mouse.

References:

http://www.ecommerce-land.com/history_ecommerce.html

http://www.mapsofworld.com/referrals/internet/internet-history/history-of-e-commerce.html