- The microcomputer revolution made it possible for an average person to own a computer
- Advancements in networking hardware, software and media made it possible for business PCs to be inexpensively connected to larger networks
- Browser software such as Microsoft's Internet explorer and Netscape Navigator gave computer users an easy-to-use graphical interface to find, download and display webpages
- The speed, convenience, and low cost of email have made it an indispensable tool for business and personal communications
- Basic web pages are easy to create and extremely flexible
What is Web 2.0, how does it differ from 1.0?
Web 2.0 | Web 1.0 |
A set of economic, social and technology trends that collectively form the bases for the next generation of the Internet 'Read write web' Changes to sotware can be done by end users- using the web platforms eg Facebook, Blogs, Wiki's etc | 'Read only data' Updated only by software developers |
How could a web 2.0 technology be used in business?
 |
| Click here for an example of a business advertising on facebook |
- Blogs for press releases
- Wiki's- companies have internal wiki's to obtain data
What is eBusiness, how does it differ from eCommerce?
E- Commerce | E-Business |
Online transactions- The buying and selling of goods over the internet | The conducting of business on the internet, not only buying and selling, but also serving customers and collaborating with business partners |
What is pure and partial eCommerce
- Pure eCommerce-
is only online business- everything is done digitally eg itunes- No physical goods and services
- Partial eCommerce-
when you pay for something online, but the production and distribution of items still occur. Eg Dell.
List and describe the various eBusiness models
Business Term | Definition |
Business to business (B2B) | Businesses buying from and selling to each other over the internet |
Business to consumer (B2C) | Any business that sells its products or services to consumers over the internet |
Consumer to business (B2C) | Any consumer that sells a product or service to a business over the internet |
Consumer to consumer (C2C) | Applies to sites primarily offering goods and services to assist consumers interacting with each other over the internet. Eg E-Bay |
Another important and rapidly emerging e-business model is business to Government (eg rates paid online)
List and describe the major B2B models?
- Electronic Auction (or e-auction) - Sellers and buyers solicit consecutive bids from each other and prices are determined dynamically
Forward auction- An auction that sellers use as a selling channel to may buyers. The highest bid wins - for example 'ebay'
Forward auction- An auction that sellers use as a selling channel to may buyers. The highest bid wins - for example 'ebay'
 |
| Forward Auction: ebay |
- Reverse auction- An auction that buyers use to purchase a product or service, selecting the seller with the lowest bid
Outline 2 opportunities and 2 challenges faced by companies doing business online?
2 Opportunities:
- Highly accessible: Businesses can operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 265 days a year
- Increased customer loyalty: Additional channels for contacting, responding to and accessing customers helps contribute to customer loyalty
2 Challenges:
- Increasing liability: E-business exposes suppliers to unknown liabilities because Internet commerce law is vaguely defined and differs from country to country. The internet and its use in e-business have raised many ethical, social and political issues, such as identity theft and information manipulation
- Providing security: companies must protect their assets against accidental or malicious misuse. Whilst doing this, system security also must not reduce flexibility
