e-Businesses

e-Businesses

e-Business (e-Business), derived from such terms as "e-mail" and "e-commerce," is the conduct of business electronically, typically over the Internet, not only buying and selling, but also servicing customers and collaborating with business partners.

The way in which you manage your business relationships has not changed, but the way they are referred to when using e-Business tools has. They are becoming more often known as:

       business to business (B2B)

       business to consumer (B2C) (also known as e-Commerce)

       government to consumer (G2C)

       Government to business (G2B).

1 Activities using e-Business tools

       trading of goods or services online, such as e-Procurement, primarily through websites

       electronic retailing (e-Tailing)

       use of the Internet, intranets or extranets to conduct research and manage business activities

       website marketing

       online communications, such as email

       Online training for staff (eLearning).

3 e-Business tools

       mobile phones

       personal digital assistants (PDAs)

       electronic data interchange

       file transfer

       facsimile

       Video conferencing, Internet, intranets and extranets.

4 e-Business in business

E-Business is more than having a website for your business. Using e-Business tools can make your administrative and operational activities more efficient through:

       accessing the Internet to source information about your industry, suppliers and products and for general research the use of electronic transaction, for example online banking, financial management, stock control and compliance reporting to regulatory bodies such as the Australian Taxation Office

       purchasing and selling without a web presence by using email or e-fax

       human resources management, through the development of an intranet for news, policies, staff movements and enabling staff to apply for leave and access their personnel information online

       customer relationship management, which integrates front and back office functions of an organisation through electronic capabilities

       Using appropriate project management software.

5 Advantages

The benefits of implementing e-Business tools is not so much in the use of technology, as in the streamlining of business processes and the ease in finding new markets. Some of the advantages include:

       quicker and easier communications

       strengthened marketing capabilities and reach

       increased hours of operation (a website provides 24 hour 7 day information to existing and potential customers)

       access to broader information through research

       reducing the cost of doing business by lowering transaction costs and increasing efficient methods for payment, such as using online banking and reducing stationery and postage costs

       The opportunities to adopt new business models and develop tailored customer support.