Week Four Questions - eBusiness

1. What is an IP Address? What is it's main function?

A.
An IP address is a unique number assigned to each individual computer. It can be used either public or private. IP address now consist of both letters and numbers, this means there is enough possible combination's for the future. It's main function is that is the method in which computers 'talk' to each other.


2. What is Web 2.0, how does it differ from 1.0?

A.
Web 2.0 refers to the current form of the internet. One which allows us to read/write on the web and makes available technology for social networking, blogs etc. 2.0 has been referred to as the 'business revolution in the computer industry' as reliance on the internet has increased so much.

It differs from 2.0 in the level that it allows users to interact with a website and have an effect on its content. This view shows 2.0 as being interactive, while 1.0 was seen as a more passive system.


3. What is Web 3.0?

A.
Web 3.0 is the what they are calling the evolution of the web and what it will become. One of the focuses of 3.0 is to make the internet more of a database using metadata, making more information more available from non-browser applications. It is also the development of artificial intelligence. With 3.0 it could become possible to search for a video using only a photo with no description.


4. Describe the different methods an organisation can use to access information.

A.
Four different methods that can be used to access information are:
INTRANET
This is a portion of the internet a company uses privately. It is there for internal use use, this allows companies to give their employees access to applications over the internet, while still having the information protected from the general public.

EXTRANET
This is the same as an Intranet in that allows some users to access to information while still having it protected from the general public. The difference is that the information is now made available to not employees, but also strategic allies such as customers, parent companies, strategic partners. This technology allows for the easier communications between the parties concerned.

PORTAL
A portal is a website that allows access to a broad array of information. Through this combination of services it allows easier access to things such as emails, updates, events etc. Examples of portals are ninemsn and the university homepage. The aim of the portal is to be tailored to the needs of each person coming into the portal.

KIOSK
A kiosk is a publicly accessible computer system that has been set up to allow users to access information through interactive browsing. Examples of these are the computers that are made available within libraries to search databases as well as library content.


5. What is eBusiness, how does it differ from eCommerce?

A.
eBusiness is a term that refers to the conducting of business over the internet. It is different to eCommerce, as eCommerce only refers to buying and selling of goods and services over the internet. eBusiness however has a much broader meaning, as it not only means buying and selling of goods over the internet, but it also takes in serving customers and collaborating with other businesses.


6. List and describe the various eBusiness models?

A.
BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS (B2B)
This refers to businesses buying from and selling to each other over the internet. Electronic marketplaces have caused an increase in the amount of B2B transactions

BUSINESS-TO-CONSUMERS (B2C)
This applies to any business that sells its products or services to consumers over the internet. An example of this is the Apple online store.

CONSUMER-TO-BUSINESS (C2B)
This refers to any consumer that sells a product or service to a business over the internet. An example of this would be a photographer selling his/her photos online to other companies.

CONSUMER-TO-CONSUMER (C2C)
This applies to sites primarily offering goods and services to assist consumers interacting with each other over the internet. A clear example of this is eBay, this site links like minded buyers and sellers.


7. List 3 metrics you would use if your were hired to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of an eBusiness web site?

A.
Metrics that could be used to analysis the effectiveness of a site could be; The number of page views, this shows the whole number of people visiting the site. Time spent on the site, this will show if once people are on the site they are finding it useful/interesting. The number of abandoned shopping carts the site has, this could show that the purchasing process in place is to difficult or intrusive by asking to many questions. Another method could be analysing the type of the visitors the site is receiving, this could be done by analysing cookies or surveys.


8. Outline 2 opportunities and 2 challenges faced by companies doing business online?

A.
Opportunities that eBusiness allows for:
- Business remain open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, allyear round with no extra cost. This availability can only increase business.
- If the site is efficient, has good services and is reliable, it will increase customer loyalty.
- It allows another method of getting information on your customers and allows greater on-going access to them.

Challenges that eBusiness can cause:
- The protection of your consumers against unsolicitated goods, illegal or harmful goods must be established and maintained as the business continues to operate.
- Companies must have greater protection of their assets as the internet provides universal access. However this security must still allow the site to work properly and efficiently without causing excessive complexity.