E-Commerce Assignment: Ballarat Trade Fair Consultancy

Question

Objectives : This assessment task relates to the following course objectives:

• discuss the meaning of e-Commerce from a business and technical perspective
• appreciate the business environments conducive to the use of successful e-business applications
• compare and report on the types of e-Commerce and their application to business
• review the technologies used to deploy an e-business solution
• apply an understanding of the development needs of a basic e-business website
• illustrate understanding of the design, maintenance, business principles and administration of an e-Commerce site
• discuss ethical, social and political issues in e-business

Requirements: Your e-business proposal should address:

1. clearly identified e-commerce business model(s
2. how the e-commerce business will derive revenue (i.e. revenue models)
3. what network and communications infrastructure will be required
4. what applications (hardware and software) will be required to meet specific e-commerce business goals
5. how security issues will be addressed
6. how e-marketing requirements will be addressed
7. what choice of payment systems will be made
8. how privacy and other relevant ethical concerns will be addressed
9. how legal issues connected with e-commerce will be addressed
10. how customer service issues will be addressed
11. . how the success of the proposed system will be measured (metrics, tools)
12. a mock-up proposal for an e-business system (e.g. a sample e-commerce web site)

Answer

Introduction
The procedure of purchasing, selling, exchanging information, products & services through a computer network such as the Internet is known as E-commerce. It is sometimes business to business and also sometimes business to customer. By 2020, the global ecommerce sales by grow by $4 trillion as per the estimation. US alone acquired sales revenue of $322.17 billion in 2016. On the other hand, it was estimated that revenue of $6 billion will be reached by India in 2015 (Ferreira, 2018). With these figures anyone can apprehend the prospects present in this industry. Companies can tap on the benefits of the global market significantly enhancing profit and sales. Some of the benefits include no geographical restraint, lower costs, reducing travel cost & time, speedy product location, offering comparison shopping, enabling coupons, & a lot more.

Responsive & with a low risk-averse in comparison to big companies, SME companies can acquire much more advantages from E-commerce platforms. Right from tracking customers, easy inventory, lower costs, expanding business, building long-term relationships with clients, E-commerce is equipped with potential for small businesses.

In this e-commerce assignment, the identification of e-business technologies & e-business models will take place for a SME company called Ballarat Trade Fair Consultancy so that it can boost efficiency in marketing & communications for deriving merchandise sales. With a sound E-commerce website, the order numbers can be increased as the Australian clients & overseas exhibitors can contact the company any time and from anywhere. To thrive successfully, BTFC has to tap on the options offered by technology in the current times. With this, their position will become robust with no threat of uncertainty neither from client companies nor from the industry.

Business perspective of E-commerce
E-commerce is a massive concept spanning amidst manifold dimensions. Let us study the Business perspective of E-commerce. It is nothing but the application of latest technology directed towards the mechanization of business transactions. These transactions are mainly for fabricating & redefining connections for value creation amidst either among organizations or between companies & customers (Juneja, 2018). On the business to business front, companies re re-engineering their operations such as marketing, supply chain management, advertising, customer relationship & sales order management for suiting E-commerce modes.

The relocation to E-business environment for any small company can be first be challenging that calls for the transformation in their business strategies, models and also includes the integration of technology with various business procedures. In the conventional times, organizations were completely product oriented but the modern era compels them to be customer centric. This can be possible with the re-invention of business models where the driver is nothing but technology.

The spirit of E-business lies is speed. Speed & time are those driving factors in the contemporary era that can build or break companies today,

Technical perspective of E-commerce
The effective functioning of e-commerce depends on various technical aspects. This incorporates internet utilization & networking. Any kind of website development can smooth the progress of applications on the basis of a sound Internet service. Marketing operations especially need a sound Internet server so that businesses can remain aware of the upcoming marketing trends in the current industry.

The reality of exchanging information or selling products online, calls for sound technical preparation. Some of the technical factors that function as a driving force behind successful E-commerce websites are:

• Website Hosting – With the help of SaaS, the support & space a portal requires can be offered. By this websites can be kept updated.
• Website Security – This will ensure that sensitive information like home address, credit card numbers & phone numbers can be kept secure with the help of SSL encryption.
• Backups – Keeping a backup in cases of customer record deletion or any other record can be useful and save a business from catastrophe.

E-commerce business applicationsIn the present times, the importance of E-commerce cannot be measured in words as it has become indispensable for every business that wants to give an edge to its brand. The six variety of E-commerce that we can find are (Kauffman, 2018):

• B2B
• B2B
• Business to Administration
• Consumer to Administration
• Consumer to Consumer
• Consumer to Business

Be it any sector, the need for Ecommerce & its varied applications are felt in every stage.

• Marketing – With the help of Ecommerce & the cyberspace, data can be collected for the following elements.
  • Buying patterns
  • Preferences
  • Requirements
  • Behaviour
• Manufacturing – It is nothing but the procedure of transforming raw materials into qualitative goods for the consumers. These goods are manufactured along with the participation of a large team. When E-commerce is applied to this supply chain management method the overall costs are decreased and also quality is boosted.
• Wholesale – When a company sells goods to commercial users and retailers, they are regarded as wholesalers. Local wholesalers find it challenging to compete with foreign ones due to less operational and management skills. The operating costs are also high. E-commerce on the other hand enables the wholesalers to engage in global marketing at reduced costs. They are also provided with a gamut of information.
• Retail – With the help of E-commerce retailers can indulge in cost cutting as there is no requirement of physical stores and can offer services to a huge audience.

E-commerce technologies
There are manifold available technologies that can operate online businesses with efficiency as well as build the finest E-commerce stores (Hasan, 2017). The business plan must include both hardware & software technologies.

• Server software – Some of the accessible server software are cloud computing, application, file server & database server. This can be utilized on a cloud as well as physical server. With this, the specific information required by the client is offered by the web server.
• Networking – The way computers share information via the Internet can be apprehended from internet protocol & transfer control protocol. Some of the common protocols are FTTP, HTTPS & HTTP. Any website that is accessed, these protocols will be needed. A secure connection like TLS & SSL is required for all E-commerce websites as these protocols are linked with security.

E-commerce website requisites
Loyal & potential clientele can reach your E-commerce website from anywhere but improper setting up of the website will never capture the attention of the visitors. Due to this, there will be no brand recognition as well (McDavid, 2014). These factors must be kept in mind during the development of E-commerce websites.

• Comprehensible navigation – When the user experience of a website is rewarding, visitors will keep on coming back. The links for all product categories must be kept in a high-flying place and also the categories must have proper names.
• Detailed & compact product information – Product information available on the websites must not be confusing. Starting from listing of vital features to the posting of decent images, all has to be taken into account.
• Simple check-out process – A website containing only a single checkout process page will attract customers but it has to be made sure that customers get to put all necessary information in that page.

Political, Ethical & Social E-commerce challenges
Internet in the present times is nothing other than a boon for mankind because of its incomparable avenues with which it makes peoples’ lives easier (Babu, 2011). But it can be a threat to social values, give rise to new crimes and can impact environment as well.

Ethical issues

• Amalgamation of personal information by government authorities as well as commercial websites
• Tracking the location of consumers as well as their personal behaviour.

Social issues

• Digital image creation online that characterizes group as well as individual behaviour
• Refreshing & building consumer profiles

Political issues

• The E-commerce space can give out misleading information to the common people
• Authenticity issues can crop up
• Large-scale privacy invasion

E-business proposal for BTFC
The adoption of electronic business by many companies has taken place in the recent years as it enhances efficiency & strengthens competitive position. This e-commerce assignment contains an E-business proposal for the highest efficiency in all the operations of the SME Company, BTFC (Duggan, 2018).

Company profile
Functioning for Australian organizations, Ballarat Trade Fair Consultancy offers these companies with prospects of participating in abroad trade fairs. The company is into a client serving industry where it indulges in all kinds of arrangements including stands, managing client visit to fairs, involving clients with trade fair executives, etc. The business model of the company incorporates web based operations that various clients avail. An implementation of an e-business model as proposed in the report that can augment resource utilization to the highest level. It can make the organization gain more profits from the manifold business activities.

Revenue model
Every company, every business in today’s world is running after one thing ‘Revenue’. When it comes to BTFC, I have suggested two models which are subscription & transaction model.

• Subscription model – Acquiring the company membership sums up this model. The fee completely depends on the span of membership required by every client.
• Transaction model – Every time a contractor transacts, the company will reap revenue. Here, revenue will be based on the amount of company transactions. The only requisite is registration by both seller & consumer so that all the transactions can be recognized.

Executive summary
With competition fierce in every trade, SME companies with web-based operations can be easily replaced. BTFC on hand is an organization that many people are not familiar with. With the nature of influential work BTFC is associated with, it is vital for the company to fabricate a niche for aligning business plans along with the marketing plans for outshining any competition.

Every business equipped with E-commerce websites gain popularity faster. For BTFC, a website will not only simplify its operations but will also bring in more valuable clients. The online advertising of goods will go through a hike of 145% each year.

Prior to organising trade fairs, the company authorities must have acquired know-how about the industries that it will be serving and its requirements. But without the implementation of marketing plans through E-commerce website, it will be challenging to satiate the changing and growing requisites of the Australian companies.

Vision

• Every contracting company associating with the organization must feel safe for carrying out money transactions.
• Enhancing business revenues in upcoming years

Mission

• To be recognized as a trusted partner for all client companies
• To be able to offer supreme quality service

Goals
The objective of this organization rests with being the most trusted trade fair consultancy. Redefining contracting with its easy terms and conditions is the goal.

Things required
The target market of BTFC is mainly Australia, South-East Asia & Europe where event management is a massive segment. In the previous fifteen years where unremitting economic growth has been perceived, there came a transformation in the market situation that questioned the benchmarks for quality, influence, organization on the connected industries for enhancing efficiencies for every industry stakeholder. There is a need for strategic analysis to be carried out so that the actual development level of the industry can be evaluated. With the help of E-commerce network & communications infrastructure BTFC can expand the business to a massive audience. This will automatically position a huge impact on the revenue.

E-commerce network & communications infrastructure
BTFC in order to support every operation for its clients has to get hold of an infrastructure. For instance, if the value proposition of your brand is to offer optimum customer service level for premium product, the infrastructure must incorporate the procedures must include delivering speedy responsive service like self-service tools, turnaround on orders & questions & live chats (Traxler, 2012). The E-commerce infrastructure results mentioned here will ensure that the overhead expenses are low.

Some of the infrastructure decisions are:

• Marketing – Whether it is social media, merchandising, website design, search marketing or email, an E-commerce website will compel companies to reach to you for getting your services.
• Information Technology – With the utilization of an appropriate e-commerce platform like SaaS, you can provide product datasheets to your clients as well as lower the cost associated with inventory management.

The opportunity
BTFC’s key brand activities revolve around organizing trade fairs. In this E-business proposal, I am suggesting the incorporation of digital platforms for carrying out the same. By this, there will be no requirement of struggling to set up direct contacts amidst visitors & exhibitors during all the events. With this business model, sellers will be able to sell to a worldwide audience as well as the clients can make a worldwide choice (Bhalla, 2017).

Direct interaction with customers with the help of this E-commerce procedure will also cut down the product division chain to large extents. A transparent channel amidst the service provider & the ultimate customer can be made.

The solution
As BTFC connects varied industries as well as their demands & supply, it has to focus on special positioning in respect to many other service industries. This means that the company participates in value & distribution chains of the particular industries. With the incorporation of E-business applications, small steps can be taken for capitalizing on the advantages of procedure improvement that is needed by e-business execution for decreasing negative aspects related to interruptions in ongoing business activities (Ramachandra, 2015). The company has to comprehend the importance of an E-business that is Internet based and that it depends on a good website which is updated regularly.

Your investment

• Strategy consultation – Learning all business goals of the organization, there will be recommendations offered through E-commerce. A strategy will be decided for showcasing all products in eye-catching manner.
• E-commerce website design, setup & launch – With a customized online store, the brand can capture the clients’ attention & turn them into buyers. When it comes to the website set-up, the product line from the existing E-commerce platform will be imported to the new store.
  Once the above two points are covered, the online store will be made live. The organization will start making sales from the very first day.
• Training session – The entire work staff of the organization will be taught to manage the online inventory, enhance the store with time & keep a check on the performance metrics.

Conclusion
Innovations carried out in communications & technology has now enabled businesses to function globally. E-business or E-commerce is a means of cost-effective marketing that offers control to businesses for representing their products in their own way. By looking at the above-mentioned applications and uses of E-commerce, one can apprehend what benefits it can bring to any business. Starting from deriving revenue, initiating sales, targeting correct audience, incurring brand recognition, opening prospects for overseas trade, E-commerce has it all. As the company BTFC operates as a link between overseas trade fair exhibitors & Australian firms, it can benefit a lot from an E-commerce website that portrays the revenue model. They can now connect easily with BTFC’s E-commerce website. It was observed in this e-commerce assignment that the objective of the firm will be putting forward impact full business contracts to the topmost contracting companies along with an account of the secured payment gateways. E-commerce assignments are being prepared by our IT Management assignment help experts from top universities which let us to provide you a reliable australian assignment help service.

Referencing
Babu, R. (2011). E-Commerce Ethical and Legal Issues [Blog]. Retrieved from https://blog.qburst.com/2011/03/e-commerce-ethical-and-legal-issues/

Bhalla, P. (2017). Types of eCommerce Business Models, Pros, and Cons - KartRocket. Retrieved from https://www.kartrocket.com/blog/ecommerce-business-models-types-pros-cons/

Duggan, T. (2018). How to Write eBusiness Plans. Retrieved from https://smallbusiness.chron.com/write-ebusiness-plans-39912.html

Ferreira, N. (2018). 20 Ecommerce Advantages and Disadvantages You Need to Know [Blog]. Retrieved from https://www.oberlo.in/blog/20-ecommerce-advantages-and-disadvantages

Hasan, A. (2017). What Technologies Are Needed To Build An E-Commerce Website? [Blog]. Retrieved from https://www.arpatech.com/blog/technologies-required-for-ecommerce-store/

Juneja, P. (2018). Basic Understanding of E-Commerce. Retrieved from http://MSG

Juneja, P. (2018). Basic Understanding of E-Commerce. Retrieved from http://MSG

McDavid, B. (2014). 5 Things to Consider During eCommerce Website Development [Blog]. Retrieved from https://blog.wsol.com/5-things-to-consider-when-developing-an-ecommerce-website

Ramachandra, A. (2015). A 7-Step Framework for Successful Ecommerce Implementation [Blog]. Retrieved from https://www.embitel.com/blog/ecommerce-blog/framework-successful-ecommerce-implementation

Traxler, D. (2012). 7 Key Ecommerce-Infrastructure Decisions [Blog]. Retrieved from https://www.practicalecommerce.com/7-Key-Ecommerce-Infrastructure-Decisions