The Americans with Disabilities Act requires “public accommodations” to be accessible to the disabled as well as the able-bodied. That's why stores, government buildings and churches have elevators and ramps, not just stairs. But when the National Federation of the Blind urged retail giant Target Corp. three years ago to modify its website to aid the visually impaired, Target balked. The disabilities act applied to its brick-and-mortar stores, not its branch in cyberspace, Target's lawyers argued.
And so began a legal battle that ended Wednesday, when Target announced that it would pay $6 million to settle a class-action lawsuit by blind shoppers who'd struggled to use its website. Target also has agreed to change the site in ways suggested by the federation, making Target.com fully accessible to the blind by the beginning of March 2009. Most significantly, perhaps, a federal judge's pretrial rulings in the case held that the disabilities act and California law did apply to the online counterparts of physical stores and services.
As is so often true, Target will end up spending a lot more to modify its site than it would have spent to design it to be accessible from Day One. There's plenty of help online for companies trying meet the needs of the disabled. The World Wide Web Consortium, a group that develops voluntary standards for the Web, has been publishing accessibility guidelines for almost a decade, including to help designers make their sites work with the specialized equipment used by the disabled. The blind rely on expensive software that reads aloud the contents of each Web page, so images and forms on the pages must include some identifying text. They also can't navigate with a mouse -- try using one with your eyes closed -- so pages need to be designed for navigating with a keyboard. That's not much to ask.
The problem is that, like Target, too many companies didn't focus on accessibility when they made the leap into e-commerce. If they had, they would have found an underserved audience of disabled shoppers. A website can be a far more inviting place for a blind person than a crowded mall, if the site is designed the right way. And the number of vision-impaired Americans (at least 1.3 million are legally blind) is expected to grow as the population ages and the incidence of diabetes climbs. With more commerce and services moving to the Internet, it's increasingly important that companies make accessibility a part of everything they do online. If that's not clear in federal law, it should be. And although Target may have needed a push to embrace the disabled, at least it's showing the rest of the retail world how it's done
Friday, September 26, 2008
Ecommerce Software: Recommendations For Business Solutions
Each and every day hundreds of ecommerce websites open for business and every day hundreds shut shop. All of them are out to do business ethically and all of them offer good products worth buying. Yet, some are forced to call quits and some are successful and are able to expand their activity.
How does one differentiate the successful from the unsuccessful? There are many factors to consider, such as customer service, popularity of the products, and efficient upholstery cleaning equipment techniques on the business side; however, on the technical side one also must consider aspects such as having a good internet shopping cart, attractive web site design, and ease of navigation.
These essential features should be taken care of by good ecommerce software solutions, and then some. Do not begrudge the time and effort required cleaning upholstery in a quality ecommerce software package that delivers results; it will prove to be an enormous boon to your business. It will help you design eye-catching web pages, while at the same time making them easier to navigate by visitors to your online store.
Make it clear and very obvious to the customer that he is entering an ecommerce site, by displaying your products on the first page itself. He should never have any doubts whether he has come to the wrong place and leave your and upholstery cleaning inc Instead, he should be made to feel he is entering a shop that looks like it would provide what he is looking for.
The design throughout the site must be user-friendly and easily navigable, never making the customer feel confused or unsure as to what he should be his next step. The ecommerce software acts as a salesperson at the counter and holds his hand and guides him right up to the checkout counter and payment and upholstery cleaning in In short, your products may be unique or niche varieties but your ecommerce solution should be a tried and tested package, used by many successful entrepreneurs.
There are many varieties of shopping carts, created by using different programming languages. Find out the more popular types of shopping carts, amp; upholstery cleaning in as those that are created with php script. The internet shopping cart you select should not present any obstacles to the visitor in his shopping experience with your site. It should also be scalable any time in the future as your business grows.
Any ecommerce software package should provide the best possible shopping cart, as this one of the most important aspects of an online store's success. The cart should have all the shopping features, payment options, shipping upholstery cleaning equipment tax calculations and compatibility with the backend database. It should also be fully secure so that the customers credit card details and other personal data is safe and secured.
How does one differentiate the successful from the unsuccessful? There are many factors to consider, such as customer service, popularity of the products, and efficient upholstery cleaning equipment techniques on the business side; however, on the technical side one also must consider aspects such as having a good internet shopping cart, attractive web site design, and ease of navigation.
These essential features should be taken care of by good ecommerce software solutions, and then some. Do not begrudge the time and effort required cleaning upholstery in a quality ecommerce software package that delivers results; it will prove to be an enormous boon to your business. It will help you design eye-catching web pages, while at the same time making them easier to navigate by visitors to your online store.
Make it clear and very obvious to the customer that he is entering an ecommerce site, by displaying your products on the first page itself. He should never have any doubts whether he has come to the wrong place and leave your and upholstery cleaning inc Instead, he should be made to feel he is entering a shop that looks like it would provide what he is looking for.
The design throughout the site must be user-friendly and easily navigable, never making the customer feel confused or unsure as to what he should be his next step. The ecommerce software acts as a salesperson at the counter and holds his hand and guides him right up to the checkout counter and payment and upholstery cleaning in In short, your products may be unique or niche varieties but your ecommerce solution should be a tried and tested package, used by many successful entrepreneurs.
There are many varieties of shopping carts, created by using different programming languages. Find out the more popular types of shopping carts, amp; upholstery cleaning in as those that are created with php script. The internet shopping cart you select should not present any obstacles to the visitor in his shopping experience with your site. It should also be scalable any time in the future as your business grows.
Any ecommerce software package should provide the best possible shopping cart, as this one of the most important aspects of an online store's success. The cart should have all the shopping features, payment options, shipping upholstery cleaning equipment tax calculations and compatibility with the backend database. It should also be fully secure so that the customers credit card details and other personal data is safe and secured.
SuiteSuccess for ERP, CRM and eCommerce Now Available from NetSuite
NetSuite (News - Alert) Inc., a vendor of on-demand, integrated business management software suites for mid-market enterprises and divisions of large companies, has announced the launch of SuiteSuccess.
A comprehensive new program of professional services, training and customer support, SuiteSuccess is designed to address the unique business and economic requirements of mid-market companies deploying NetSuite’s on-demand solutions for ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), CRM (Customer Relationship Management) and eCommerce.
SuiteSuccess offers the first methodology expressly developed for implementing on-demand ERP applications and has enabled NetSuite to “crack the code” on how to deliver on-demand business management software suites for mid-market companies that are repeatable, cost-effective, timely and targeted to ensure rapid ROI.
NetSuite is considered an industry pioneer of on-demand business management software suites with thousands of mid-market implementations to its credit. The company has focused on continuously improving the unique customer service and support experience of fast-growing, mid-market companies that compete across a range of diverse industries.
SuiteSuccess is the result of ten years of experience delivering on-demand solutions that move the needle toward higher business process efficiency without breaking the bank.
"Mid-market companies face a number of unique services challenges," said Tim Dilley, Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Officer at NetSuite, in a Thursday statement.
"They have business processes and customization and integration requirements that are every bit as complex as those found in much larger companies, but they have limited budgets and significant constraints on IT resources.”
“The SuiteSuccess program really breaks new ground in how on-demand business applications are implemented and serviced. Mid-market companies now have at their disposal a complete program of professional services, training and customer service that will get them live quickly with a customized solution and then scale with them as their needs grow," Dilley added.
"In a previous life, I led many software implementations as a consulting partner for Deloitte (News - Alert) and so I know something about what is required from a software partner to be successful," said Tom Thistleton, Chief Operating Officer at Domin-8 Enterprise Solutions, in the Thursday statement.
"NetSuite's Professional Services team was knowledgeable and helpful. They worked together with us to find answers to all our questions, while giving us options and recommendations so we could reach the expected result.”
“Often, especially in high growth software companies like NetSuite, you'll get inexperienced consultants who are a few days ahead of you in terms of application knowledge. That wasn't our experience with NetSuite as their consultants proved to be very helpful throughout the process," added Thistleton.
To ensure that it is capable of meeting the immediate and future needs of its clients, the SuiteSuccess solution offers SuiteConsulting; SuiteTraining; and SuiteSupport.
NetSuite has built its strong reputation by being plugged into the industry, understanding the challenges that businesses face while trying to remain competitive. As a result of this insight, the company is able to deliver powerful solutions that help to drive successful business processes.
This latest release is keeping in line with this history, focusing on ensuring clients have the tools they need, when and where they need them by offering the solution on an on-demand platform. Such an approach ensures stronger adoption for NetSuite and better ROI for the customer.
A comprehensive new program of professional services, training and customer support, SuiteSuccess is designed to address the unique business and economic requirements of mid-market companies deploying NetSuite’s on-demand solutions for ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), CRM (Customer Relationship Management) and eCommerce.
SuiteSuccess offers the first methodology expressly developed for implementing on-demand ERP applications and has enabled NetSuite to “crack the code” on how to deliver on-demand business management software suites for mid-market companies that are repeatable, cost-effective, timely and targeted to ensure rapid ROI.
NetSuite is considered an industry pioneer of on-demand business management software suites with thousands of mid-market implementations to its credit. The company has focused on continuously improving the unique customer service and support experience of fast-growing, mid-market companies that compete across a range of diverse industries.
SuiteSuccess is the result of ten years of experience delivering on-demand solutions that move the needle toward higher business process efficiency without breaking the bank.
"Mid-market companies face a number of unique services challenges," said Tim Dilley, Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Officer at NetSuite, in a Thursday statement.
"They have business processes and customization and integration requirements that are every bit as complex as those found in much larger companies, but they have limited budgets and significant constraints on IT resources.”
“The SuiteSuccess program really breaks new ground in how on-demand business applications are implemented and serviced. Mid-market companies now have at their disposal a complete program of professional services, training and customer service that will get them live quickly with a customized solution and then scale with them as their needs grow," Dilley added.
"In a previous life, I led many software implementations as a consulting partner for Deloitte (News - Alert) and so I know something about what is required from a software partner to be successful," said Tom Thistleton, Chief Operating Officer at Domin-8 Enterprise Solutions, in the Thursday statement.
"NetSuite's Professional Services team was knowledgeable and helpful. They worked together with us to find answers to all our questions, while giving us options and recommendations so we could reach the expected result.”
“Often, especially in high growth software companies like NetSuite, you'll get inexperienced consultants who are a few days ahead of you in terms of application knowledge. That wasn't our experience with NetSuite as their consultants proved to be very helpful throughout the process," added Thistleton.
To ensure that it is capable of meeting the immediate and future needs of its clients, the SuiteSuccess solution offers SuiteConsulting; SuiteTraining; and SuiteSupport.
NetSuite has built its strong reputation by being plugged into the industry, understanding the challenges that businesses face while trying to remain competitive. As a result of this insight, the company is able to deliver powerful solutions that help to drive successful business processes.
This latest release is keeping in line with this history, focusing on ensuring clients have the tools they need, when and where they need them by offering the solution on an on-demand platform. Such an approach ensures stronger adoption for NetSuite and better ROI for the customer.
Jagger to work on e-commerce report
Rolling Stones frontman Sir Mick Jagger is set to help the European Commission (EC) draw up a report on e-commerce and online shopping.
The 65-year-old will advise the EC on issues surrounding the online shopping sector, along with several other high-profile names.
Steve Jobs, head of computing giant Apple, and telecoms expert Ben Verwaayen are also on the committee which will look at ways in which the e-retail market can be improved.
One issue set to be discussed is the availability of online music through e-commerce websites.
European Union competition commissioner Neelie Kroes told the BBC the question of why it is not as easy to buy music files online as it is to have a CD shipped around Europe from an e-commerceonline shopping website will be under investigation.
Meanwhile, it was announced earlier this week retailer Best Buy is set to purchase e-commerce music sharing company Napster in a $121 million (£67 million) deal.
This news feed has been brought to you by Direct Response Limited, the award winners for voice, data and call centre services.
The 65-year-old will advise the EC on issues surrounding the online shopping sector, along with several other high-profile names.
Steve Jobs, head of computing giant Apple, and telecoms expert Ben Verwaayen are also on the committee which will look at ways in which the e-retail market can be improved.
One issue set to be discussed is the availability of online music through e-commerce websites.
European Union competition commissioner Neelie Kroes told the BBC the question of why it is not as easy to buy music files online as it is to have a CD shipped around Europe from an e-commerceonline shopping website will be under investigation.
Meanwhile, it was announced earlier this week retailer Best Buy is set to purchase e-commerce music sharing company Napster in a $121 million (£67 million) deal.
This news feed has been brought to you by Direct Response Limited, the award winners for voice, data and call centre services.
Kesko and Itella to expand their e-commerce cooperation
Kesko and Itella have made an extensive cooperation agreement for developing electronic business operations. The aim is to use the service packages offered by Itella to help Kesko’s divisions launch their online trade projects. The agreement now signed will first be leveraged in Kesko’s home technology and sports trade. The new cooperation agreement is a further step in the long-established cooperation between Kesko and Itella.
"Our aim is to offer the K-Group customers new, interesting and convenient e-commerce services. The new cooperation agreement will enable us to enhance and accelerate online store openings and thereby to generate cost benefits and more sales to both companies" says Kesko’s Niina Ryynänen.
"We are excited about this new kind of extensive e-commerce cooperation with Kesko. The trading sector and the development of its online services are important for Itella. The agreement on e-commerce cooperation now signed is a new stage for the whole sector in Finland. Online shopping is growing strongly. Its undeniable benefits for customers are reliability and the speed and ease of shopping, because the stores are open on 7 days a week and 24 hours a day" says Senior Vice President Tarja Pääkkönen of Itella Group.
Electronic customer communication and related services are developed intensively in the trading sector. The availability of Internet services is highlighted in the service offer of the K-Group stores. Kesko has designated the development of electronic customer communication as one of its strategic projects. The online retail services for customers produced by Kesko’s divisions are part of this project. Itella’s e-commerce service package is unique as it covers services for both information and material flows
"Our aim is to offer the K-Group customers new, interesting and convenient e-commerce services. The new cooperation agreement will enable us to enhance and accelerate online store openings and thereby to generate cost benefits and more sales to both companies" says Kesko’s Niina Ryynänen.
"We are excited about this new kind of extensive e-commerce cooperation with Kesko. The trading sector and the development of its online services are important for Itella. The agreement on e-commerce cooperation now signed is a new stage for the whole sector in Finland. Online shopping is growing strongly. Its undeniable benefits for customers are reliability and the speed and ease of shopping, because the stores are open on 7 days a week and 24 hours a day" says Senior Vice President Tarja Pääkkönen of Itella Group.
Electronic customer communication and related services are developed intensively in the trading sector. The availability of Internet services is highlighted in the service offer of the K-Group stores. Kesko has designated the development of electronic customer communication as one of its strategic projects. The online retail services for customers produced by Kesko’s divisions are part of this project. Itella’s e-commerce service package is unique as it covers services for both information and material flows
Friday, August 29, 2008
XML e-commerce standard expected in March
The United Nations CEFACT and the Organization for the Advancement of Structural Information Standards (OASIS) today announced that they will be ready to deliver the Electronic Business XML trading standard this coming March. It was originally slated for release next summer.
The ebXML standard will establish transport, routing and trading-partner protocols for businesses looking to trade with other businesses on the Internet.
OASIS President Bill Smith, who also serves as the engineering manager for Sun Microsystems Inc.'s XML center, said he views ebXML as a necessary step in bringing small and medium-size companies into business-to-business networks.
"It's bringing the benefits of [the electronic data interchange standard] over the Web," Smith said.
Smith said ebXML would complement rather than replace EDI - still the most popular business data exchange format, according to Giga Information Group Inc. analyst Ken Vollmer.
EbXML is designed to provide a simple way for companies to find one another and conduct business over the Web, allowing those with different platforms to speak a common language.
Smith estimated that global adoption of the ebXML standard will take a year. He said he believes that UN/CEFACT's backing of ebXML will help speed the adoption. That organization was also instrumental in creating and promoting EDIFACT, an international standard for EDI.
IBM has been among the numerous companies supporting the new standard. IBM Technological Evangelist Steve Holbrook said his company's next line of Websphere business products will come out next year with full support for ebXML.
Other emerging standards in the next IBM Websphere line include: Universal Description Discovery Integration (UDDI), which will create a global phone-book-like registry for business-to-business commerce, and Web Services Description Language, which will let businesses describe themselves and the platforms on which they operate inside a UDDI directory.
"We hope this becomes as ubiquitous as a [domain name system] server," Holbrook said. "HTTP and HTML are what made the Web take off. We think these new standards will make online B2B commerce take off."
Vollmer remained skeptical that any one new standard will revolutionize the business world, noting that it will be cost-prohibitive for established companies to scuttle their existing infrastructure.
"It will be an enhancement, not a replacement," he said.
He also said translation software is blurring the lines between EDI and the variant forms of XML.
The ebXML standard will establish transport, routing and trading-partner protocols for businesses looking to trade with other businesses on the Internet.
OASIS President Bill Smith, who also serves as the engineering manager for Sun Microsystems Inc.'s XML center, said he views ebXML as a necessary step in bringing small and medium-size companies into business-to-business networks.
"It's bringing the benefits of [the electronic data interchange standard] over the Web," Smith said.
Smith said ebXML would complement rather than replace EDI - still the most popular business data exchange format, according to Giga Information Group Inc. analyst Ken Vollmer.
EbXML is designed to provide a simple way for companies to find one another and conduct business over the Web, allowing those with different platforms to speak a common language.
Smith estimated that global adoption of the ebXML standard will take a year. He said he believes that UN/CEFACT's backing of ebXML will help speed the adoption. That organization was also instrumental in creating and promoting EDIFACT, an international standard for EDI.
IBM has been among the numerous companies supporting the new standard. IBM Technological Evangelist Steve Holbrook said his company's next line of Websphere business products will come out next year with full support for ebXML.
Other emerging standards in the next IBM Websphere line include: Universal Description Discovery Integration (UDDI), which will create a global phone-book-like registry for business-to-business commerce, and Web Services Description Language, which will let businesses describe themselves and the platforms on which they operate inside a UDDI directory.
"We hope this becomes as ubiquitous as a [domain name system] server," Holbrook said. "HTTP and HTML are what made the Web take off. We think these new standards will make online B2B commerce take off."
Vollmer remained skeptical that any one new standard will revolutionize the business world, noting that it will be cost-prohibitive for established companies to scuttle their existing infrastructure.
"It will be an enhancement, not a replacement," he said.
He also said translation software is blurring the lines between EDI and the variant forms of XML.
E-Commerce and Legislation: Consumer Protection and Digital Signatures
One of the significant distinctions between E-Sign and ETA is that E-Sign includes detailed consumer protection provisions not found in unified ETA. See 15 USC §7001(c). Because of the exemption to preemption mentioned above, a state adoption of the uniform version of unified ETA arguably preempts E-Sign's consumer protection provisions. The Oregon Legislature made a policy decision to adopt the consumer protection provisions of E-Sign into Oregon law. Consequently, 2001 Oregon Laws, chapter 535, section 24 contains the consumer protection provisions found in E-Sign with no substantive change. Those provisions contain certain criteria, which must be met before various statutory notice requirements can be satisfied by electronic means and preclude the use of electronic notice for actions such as termination of utility services or residential eviction.
It should be noted that unified ETA does contain more general requirements regarding the presentation of electronic records. According to section 8, if certain information is required by law to be provided, sent, or delivered in writing, an electronic record must be capable of retention by the recipient at the time of receipt to satisfy that law. Capable of retention upholstery cleaning la the ability of the recipient to print or store the electronic record. Any specific format or presentation requirements specified in a law must also be complied with in the electronic record. If any sender inhibits the ability of a recipient to store or print an electronic record, the record is not enforceable against the recipient.
In discussing "electronic signatures," one should note the important distinction between this term and "digital signatures." As mentioned, any electronic sound, symbol or process may be deemed an electronic signature international adoption requisite intent to sign is present. Digital signatures, on the other hand, are technology specific forms of electronic signatures, which offer additional advantages such as authentication and encryption. Documents executed with digital signatures provide greater assurance of the identity of the signatory and are more difficult to alter and forge.
Prior to the passage of 2001 Oregon Laws, chapter 535, Oregon had adopted an Electronic Signature Act, which thinly addressed the enforceability of electronic and digital signatures and provided an infrastructure for registering companies, which issue digital signatures (Certification Authorities). Sections 31 to 36 of 2001 Oregon Laws, chapter 535 significantly amend the Oregon Electronic upholstery cleaning kansas city Act by renaming it the "Digital Signature Act" and reconciling it with UETA. The amendment limits the Digital Signature Act's application to digital signatures only and makes appropriate reference to the newly adopted Unified ETA provisions, which govern the enforceability of electronic signatures.
It should be noted that unified ETA does contain more general requirements regarding the presentation of electronic records. According to section 8, if certain information is required by law to be provided, sent, or delivered in writing, an electronic record must be capable of retention by the recipient at the time of receipt to satisfy that law. Capable of retention upholstery cleaning la the ability of the recipient to print or store the electronic record. Any specific format or presentation requirements specified in a law must also be complied with in the electronic record. If any sender inhibits the ability of a recipient to store or print an electronic record, the record is not enforceable against the recipient.
In discussing "electronic signatures," one should note the important distinction between this term and "digital signatures." As mentioned, any electronic sound, symbol or process may be deemed an electronic signature international adoption requisite intent to sign is present. Digital signatures, on the other hand, are technology specific forms of electronic signatures, which offer additional advantages such as authentication and encryption. Documents executed with digital signatures provide greater assurance of the identity of the signatory and are more difficult to alter and forge.
Prior to the passage of 2001 Oregon Laws, chapter 535, Oregon had adopted an Electronic Signature Act, which thinly addressed the enforceability of electronic and digital signatures and provided an infrastructure for registering companies, which issue digital signatures (Certification Authorities). Sections 31 to 36 of 2001 Oregon Laws, chapter 535 significantly amend the Oregon Electronic upholstery cleaning kansas city Act by renaming it the "Digital Signature Act" and reconciling it with UETA. The amendment limits the Digital Signature Act's application to digital signatures only and makes appropriate reference to the newly adopted Unified ETA provisions, which govern the enforceability of electronic signatures.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
IBM Positioned in the Leaders Quadrant for E-Commerce Magic Quadrant
The Gartner Magic Quadrant for E-Commerce defines Leaders as "technology providers that demonstrate the greatest degree of support for B2B and B2C Internet sales." According to the report, "These providers lead the market in e-commerce by consistently demonstrating customer satisfaction, strong support and professional services, leading to the implementation of a successful e-commerce site." In addition, these leaders should also have "demonstrated longevity in the e-commerce market, as well as a commitment to new product innovations for Internet sales. In addition, leaders represent technology providers with the strongest capability to meet Internet selling requirements."
More than 1,000 companies worldwide, including Abercrombie & Fitch, Harry and David, Staples and Home Depot, are using WebSphere Commerce as a powerful platform for cross-channel, online and mobile commerce -- supporting all of a company's business models while providing a rich, differentiated customer experience. For example, the IBM WebSphere Commerce solution is a critical component in Harry and David's initiative to grow Internet sales.
"The world of e-commerce has gone through several major transformations over the past decade and we've always tried to keep our clients ahead of the competition," said Tom Rosamilia, general manager, IBM WebSphere. "WebSphere Commerce provides retailers with a wide range of features and capabilities to help sell goods and services through various channels to an increasingly global and mobile marketplace."
WebSphere Commerce is designed to enable deployment and management of multiple e-commerce sites through a single, unified platform, thereby maximizing performance, scalability and adaptability. Last year, IBM enhanced Web 2.0 functionality in WebSphere Commerce, and also added the capabilities to track and analyze cross-channel behavior to gain insight for sales and interactive marketing to increase conversion rates, basket size and return visits. The latest enhancements also extend search functionality, protect online shoppers' credit card information and ensure compliance to the latest Payment Card Industry (PCI) security standards.
More than 1,000 companies worldwide, including Abercrombie & Fitch, Harry and David, Staples and Home Depot, are using WebSphere Commerce as a powerful platform for cross-channel, online and mobile commerce -- supporting all of a company's business models while providing a rich, differentiated customer experience. For example, the IBM WebSphere Commerce solution is a critical component in Harry and David's initiative to grow Internet sales.
"The world of e-commerce has gone through several major transformations over the past decade and we've always tried to keep our clients ahead of the competition," said Tom Rosamilia, general manager, IBM WebSphere. "WebSphere Commerce provides retailers with a wide range of features and capabilities to help sell goods and services through various channels to an increasingly global and mobile marketplace."
WebSphere Commerce is designed to enable deployment and management of multiple e-commerce sites through a single, unified platform, thereby maximizing performance, scalability and adaptability. Last year, IBM enhanced Web 2.0 functionality in WebSphere Commerce, and also added the capabilities to track and analyze cross-channel behavior to gain insight for sales and interactive marketing to increase conversion rates, basket size and return visits. The latest enhancements also extend search functionality, protect online shoppers' credit card information and ensure compliance to the latest Payment Card Industry (PCI) security standards.
Viruses, Worms, Trojan Horses and Zombies
Few aspects of computer security have achieved the notoriety of malicious software that preys on unsuspecting computer users. Viruses, worms, Trojan horses, logic bombs, zombies, password grabbers - the list gets longer and longer. The different types of malicious software work by a variety of methods, and they have different potentials for causing damage.
The Chernobyl and Melissa viruses and the Worm.Explore.Zip program caused extensive PC damage after spreading themselves around the world through e-mail last year. The denial-of-service attacks that brought major e-commerce Web sites to their knees earlier this year were launched by malicious software hidden on hundreds of Internet-connected computers without their owners' knowledge.
A mini-industry of organizations, professionals and volunteers has sprung up to categorize malicious software, issue warnings and market software designed to detect, locate and eradicate such programs. New malicious code appears monthly, generated by an underground community of programmers apparently motivated by the desire to cause damage, steal information or sometimes just prove their technical prowess.
Viral Threats
Viruses are the best-known type of malicious software. These programs secretly attach themselves to other programs. What makes them dangerous is that, before they do whatever damage they may be programmed for, they first copy themselves to additional program files. Thus, computer viruses infect and reproduce in a fashion somewhat analogous to biological viruses.
The scope of the threat has changed significantly in the past few years, says Sal Viveros, director of McAfee Active Virus Defense at Network Associates Inc., a Santa Clara, Calif.-based vendor that develops programs to protect against malicious software.
"Five or six years ago, viruses were spread by floppies," Viveros says. "They were called boot-sector viruses because they booted off the floppy drive. At that time, virus infections were very regional; they spread, but (they) took longer than they do today.
"Then came the applications with macros - programs like Microsoft Outlook or Word - that attracted a huge number of macro viruses," he adds.
"Last year came Melissa and the other mass-mailing e-mail viruses," Viveros notes. "And at the end of last year there was a virus called BubbleBoy that you could get just by opening your e-mail because it used the Visual Basic scripting language in the e-mail."
Viruses are still the biggest computer security problem. According to The WildList Organization International, an independent group that tracks viruses, there are more than 300 viruses "in the wild" that represent a threat to computer users. That's only a fraction of the 50,000 known malicious software codes, Viveros says.
The Chernobyl and Melissa viruses and the Worm.Explore.Zip program caused extensive PC damage after spreading themselves around the world through e-mail last year. The denial-of-service attacks that brought major e-commerce Web sites to their knees earlier this year were launched by malicious software hidden on hundreds of Internet-connected computers without their owners' knowledge.
A mini-industry of organizations, professionals and volunteers has sprung up to categorize malicious software, issue warnings and market software designed to detect, locate and eradicate such programs. New malicious code appears monthly, generated by an underground community of programmers apparently motivated by the desire to cause damage, steal information or sometimes just prove their technical prowess.
Viral Threats
Viruses are the best-known type of malicious software. These programs secretly attach themselves to other programs. What makes them dangerous is that, before they do whatever damage they may be programmed for, they first copy themselves to additional program files. Thus, computer viruses infect and reproduce in a fashion somewhat analogous to biological viruses.
The scope of the threat has changed significantly in the past few years, says Sal Viveros, director of McAfee Active Virus Defense at Network Associates Inc., a Santa Clara, Calif.-based vendor that develops programs to protect against malicious software.
"Five or six years ago, viruses were spread by floppies," Viveros says. "They were called boot-sector viruses because they booted off the floppy drive. At that time, virus infections were very regional; they spread, but (they) took longer than they do today.
"Then came the applications with macros - programs like Microsoft Outlook or Word - that attracted a huge number of macro viruses," he adds.
"Last year came Melissa and the other mass-mailing e-mail viruses," Viveros notes. "And at the end of last year there was a virus called BubbleBoy that you could get just by opening your e-mail because it used the Visual Basic scripting language in the e-mail."
Viruses are still the biggest computer security problem. According to The WildList Organization International, an independent group that tracks viruses, there are more than 300 viruses "in the wild" that represent a threat to computer users. That's only a fraction of the 50,000 known malicious software codes, Viveros says.
MAVRIC Media Revolutionizes E-Commerce Delivery of Games and Huge Digital Media Files Enabling Companies
MAVRIC Media, a provider of web-based digital asset management and content delivery tools, today announced that Noesis Interactive, a developer of training tutorials for the video gaming community has adopted MAVRIC Media’s SalesBOOST electronic delivery service to enable consumers to digitally download Noesis products. This technology will facilitate all e-commerce related delivery of these massive files.
“SalesBOOST facilitates digital downloads of huge files through our e-commerce engine, and for the first time, we have the ability to electronically deliver our tutorials to the video gamer who does not want to wait for their DVD to arrive in the mail,” said Dave Larson, Chairman of Noesis Interactive. “Hard media delivery can take from several days for U.S. customers to one or two weeks for international shipments, so SalesBOOST is a huge financial benefit for us and the customer because we both save time and money, further, it eliminates the daily hassle involved to produce, package or ship hard media. The technology in SalesBOOST accommodates huge files and delivers extremely fast downloads over the Internet to our consumers – this streamlines the sales process and positively impacts our profit margins.”
SalesBOOST is designed to provide easy-to-implement order fulfillment for companies who sell digital media content such as game titles, films, music videos etc. Whether using e-commerce engines or traditional sales methods, SalesBOOST streamlines the sales process, eliminating the cost of producing, packaging, shipping, and time wasted in delivering content to customers, and is up to 100X faster than FTP. Companies using SalesBOOST simply upload titles to their hosted account once where it is securely stored in the MAVRIC Media datacenter for unlimited number of single purchase downloads at accelerated transfer rates. SalesBOOST features a full tracking mechanism with download notification and return receipt so the electronic delivery can be efficiently managed. Traditional shipping methods can be eliminated altogether, saving tremendous cost for both the merchant and customer.
“MAVRIC Media has chosen to call on industry veterans like Dave Larson to help us design and implement our product strategy so we can solve real world problems for real customers,” said Donald D. Smith, Vice President of Sales and Business Development for MAVRIC Media. “SalesBOOST accommodates video files which typically range from 300MB to over 10 GB, and is an ideal solution for anyone who is selling content over the Internet, but has been inhibited by slow internet connection speeds, unreliable FTP transfer services or delays in shipping hard media.”
After setting up a SalesBOOST account with MAVRIC Media, companies can upload content to secure servers where it is stored for purchases. When an item is selected and purchased through the company storefront and shopping cart, the order can be fulfilled automatically using an API, or manually by simply logging into a SalesBOOST account that contains pre-loaded content. The selected sales item is then authorized for a single download delivery and an activation email is sent to the purchase recipient. Upon completion of the download, a return receipt and confirmation of delivery is sent to the merchant. Implementing and managing a SalesBOOST merchant account can be handled exclusively through an easy-to-use browser interface where content is typically uploaded using MAVRIC Media’s self-serve high speed file transfer service called BOOST. Content for uploading can also be shipped on hard media directly to MAVRIC Media if the merchant’s bandwidth connection is slow and limited.
“I have known and worked with the founders of MAVRIC Media for many years and I am excited about the direction they are going and that we have participated in helping develop products and services which increase my company’s efficiency and profitability,” explains Larson. “Our business is about developing tutorials, not spending our time on shipping, so we appreciate being able to deliver content so easily – and, MAVRIC Media’s download connection speed of 100mbps makes our clients very happy too.”
SalesBOOST gives both small and large companies a better way to monetize content over the Internet, to track it, and to integrate it into their sales process no matter what Internet connection speed is available. MAVRIC Media creates lower cost of sales while facilitating increased sales to both domestic and international markets without having to increase overhead, DVD production, shipping and logistics costs. SalesBOOST dramatically shortens the delivery cycle to the consumer, gives a merchant the ability to store once and sell many times, and provides immediate sales income. It truly brings e-commerce to the digital age.
“SalesBOOST facilitates digital downloads of huge files through our e-commerce engine, and for the first time, we have the ability to electronically deliver our tutorials to the video gamer who does not want to wait for their DVD to arrive in the mail,” said Dave Larson, Chairman of Noesis Interactive. “Hard media delivery can take from several days for U.S. customers to one or two weeks for international shipments, so SalesBOOST is a huge financial benefit for us and the customer because we both save time and money, further, it eliminates the daily hassle involved to produce, package or ship hard media. The technology in SalesBOOST accommodates huge files and delivers extremely fast downloads over the Internet to our consumers – this streamlines the sales process and positively impacts our profit margins.”
SalesBOOST is designed to provide easy-to-implement order fulfillment for companies who sell digital media content such as game titles, films, music videos etc. Whether using e-commerce engines or traditional sales methods, SalesBOOST streamlines the sales process, eliminating the cost of producing, packaging, shipping, and time wasted in delivering content to customers, and is up to 100X faster than FTP. Companies using SalesBOOST simply upload titles to their hosted account once where it is securely stored in the MAVRIC Media datacenter for unlimited number of single purchase downloads at accelerated transfer rates. SalesBOOST features a full tracking mechanism with download notification and return receipt so the electronic delivery can be efficiently managed. Traditional shipping methods can be eliminated altogether, saving tremendous cost for both the merchant and customer.
“MAVRIC Media has chosen to call on industry veterans like Dave Larson to help us design and implement our product strategy so we can solve real world problems for real customers,” said Donald D. Smith, Vice President of Sales and Business Development for MAVRIC Media. “SalesBOOST accommodates video files which typically range from 300MB to over 10 GB, and is an ideal solution for anyone who is selling content over the Internet, but has been inhibited by slow internet connection speeds, unreliable FTP transfer services or delays in shipping hard media.”
After setting up a SalesBOOST account with MAVRIC Media, companies can upload content to secure servers where it is stored for purchases. When an item is selected and purchased through the company storefront and shopping cart, the order can be fulfilled automatically using an API, or manually by simply logging into a SalesBOOST account that contains pre-loaded content. The selected sales item is then authorized for a single download delivery and an activation email is sent to the purchase recipient. Upon completion of the download, a return receipt and confirmation of delivery is sent to the merchant. Implementing and managing a SalesBOOST merchant account can be handled exclusively through an easy-to-use browser interface where content is typically uploaded using MAVRIC Media’s self-serve high speed file transfer service called BOOST. Content for uploading can also be shipped on hard media directly to MAVRIC Media if the merchant’s bandwidth connection is slow and limited.
“I have known and worked with the founders of MAVRIC Media for many years and I am excited about the direction they are going and that we have participated in helping develop products and services which increase my company’s efficiency and profitability,” explains Larson. “Our business is about developing tutorials, not spending our time on shipping, so we appreciate being able to deliver content so easily – and, MAVRIC Media’s download connection speed of 100mbps makes our clients very happy too.”
SalesBOOST gives both small and large companies a better way to monetize content over the Internet, to track it, and to integrate it into their sales process no matter what Internet connection speed is available. MAVRIC Media creates lower cost of sales while facilitating increased sales to both domestic and international markets without having to increase overhead, DVD production, shipping and logistics costs. SalesBOOST dramatically shortens the delivery cycle to the consumer, gives a merchant the ability to store once and sell many times, and provides immediate sales income. It truly brings e-commerce to the digital age.
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
What is 3G
Chennai, Aug 1 Short for third generation, this technology marks a quantum jump in mobile services.
3G technology helps users quickly access a range of multimedia services, including video telephony, e-commerce and television, on mobile devices like handsets, smart phones and palm-tops.
Networks supporting 3G would have the potential to support data transfer speeds of up to 3 Mbps while the average 2G networks allow for 144 Kbps. Simply put, it means that a song in MP3 format of 3 minutes’ duration would take 15 seconds to download over a 3G network but would take 8 minutes over existing networks.
In the near future, mobility will become a fundamental aspect of many services. We would expect high-speed access to the internet, entertainment, information and electronic commerce services wherever we are — not just at our desktop computers.
While GSM-based cellular operators will use WCDMA technology, CDMA operators will offer 3G services using EVDO. In India, 3G technology can play a dual role.
In urban India, there is a spectrum crunch and 3G can treble voice capacity and can solve the spectrum issue.
For rural India, 3G will be a boon for e-governance and specific applications for farmers, fishermen and small traders.
3G technology helps users quickly access a range of multimedia services, including video telephony, e-commerce and television, on mobile devices like handsets, smart phones and palm-tops.
Networks supporting 3G would have the potential to support data transfer speeds of up to 3 Mbps while the average 2G networks allow for 144 Kbps. Simply put, it means that a song in MP3 format of 3 minutes’ duration would take 15 seconds to download over a 3G network but would take 8 minutes over existing networks.
In the near future, mobility will become a fundamental aspect of many services. We would expect high-speed access to the internet, entertainment, information and electronic commerce services wherever we are — not just at our desktop computers.
While GSM-based cellular operators will use WCDMA technology, CDMA operators will offer 3G services using EVDO. In India, 3G technology can play a dual role.
In urban India, there is a spectrum crunch and 3G can treble voice capacity and can solve the spectrum issue.
For rural India, 3G will be a boon for e-governance and specific applications for farmers, fishermen and small traders.
ADR picking up in internet and e-commerce law
ADR is particularly desirable in the context of e-commerce, because a lot of internet transactions involve relatively small amounts of money — even when they’re business-to-business transactions — which means litigation is not very useful. In theory, ADR solves geographical issues, reduces cost, and enables a speedier resolution.
For businesses, confidentiality is an important plus, as it keeps problems with their site, security system, etc. out of the media.
It also reduces a lot of the uncertainty inherent in going to court.
“The courts sometimes have not displayed a good understanding of e-commerce from a consumer perspective,” says Philippa Lawson, director of the Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic.
“Because it often involves people in multiple jurisdictions, litigation [in internet disputes] is often very difficult. Where do you sue people? So alternative dispute resolution is useful,” says Erdle.
Of particular use are online dispute resolution programs, or ODR, says Erdle, which are a relatively new phenomenon in internet commerce.
For example, in 1999, eBay Inc., the operators of an online auction and shopping web site, introduced an online mediation program provided by SquareTrade, which attempted to resolve disputes between buyers and sellers. The idea was that the complaining party filled out a form identifying the other party to the transaction, what the problem was, and what they would like to happen.
Then SquareTrade contacted the second party through an automatically generated e-mail, and created a “case page” to which it and both parties had access. Then the buyer and seller contacted each other directly through the case page and negotiated online.
If they failed to reach an agreement, SquareTrade would select a mediator from its roster, who would look at the materials on the case page and attempt to facilitate a resolution. Users had nothing to lose by filing a complaint, as the process was free if they settled without the services of a mediator.
“I think online businesses in particular will learn that there is an advantage in having systems in place that create or improve trust in their system,” says Erdle.
“I just think that they will benefit in the marketplace. I think eBay already has benefited from its efforts to try to prevent ripoffs and to police its own system and to resolve disputes.
“As they learn how to do that more effectively, that will improve and that it will spread further. So I think there will be more.”
As another example, Cybersettle Inc. is an American ODR company operating in the field of insurance. It has used a blind bidding system, where the parties agree ahead of time if the offers fall within a certain range the dispute will end by splitting the difference. When the offers are far apart, the machine can keep the offers secret and negotiations can continue.
The dispute resolution mechanism for the domain-name resolution system, the uniform domain-name dispute resolution policy, offers another well-known and effective example, this time of an arbitration-based ADR system for settling online disputes.
“The reason the domain name system works is that everybody who registers a domain name has to agree to this process up front,” says Erdle. “Otherwise . . . you’d never get people to voluntarily do it if there was a dispute.”
A business-to-business online marketplace could adopt that model and, as part of its terms and conditions, impose a mandatory mediation/arbitration system that would be fairly effective, says Erdle, as could online networking sites such as Second Life or Facebook.
“They have different systems in place now, but they could certainly establish, if they wanted, a mandatory arbitration system, and it would be entirely internal to that world, but it would prevent what happens now if somebody has a dispute on Second Life with another participant.”
Online dispute resolution systems continue to change rapidly as the price of the software drops, he says, and to incorporate newer technologies, such as video conferencing.
“The systems that are in place now are showing people what works well, what doesn’t work so well. Those systems I think will be refined over time to make them more effective.
For businesses, confidentiality is an important plus, as it keeps problems with their site, security system, etc. out of the media.
It also reduces a lot of the uncertainty inherent in going to court.
“The courts sometimes have not displayed a good understanding of e-commerce from a consumer perspective,” says Philippa Lawson, director of the Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic.
“Because it often involves people in multiple jurisdictions, litigation [in internet disputes] is often very difficult. Where do you sue people? So alternative dispute resolution is useful,” says Erdle.
Of particular use are online dispute resolution programs, or ODR, says Erdle, which are a relatively new phenomenon in internet commerce.
For example, in 1999, eBay Inc., the operators of an online auction and shopping web site, introduced an online mediation program provided by SquareTrade, which attempted to resolve disputes between buyers and sellers. The idea was that the complaining party filled out a form identifying the other party to the transaction, what the problem was, and what they would like to happen.
Then SquareTrade contacted the second party through an automatically generated e-mail, and created a “case page” to which it and both parties had access. Then the buyer and seller contacted each other directly through the case page and negotiated online.
If they failed to reach an agreement, SquareTrade would select a mediator from its roster, who would look at the materials on the case page and attempt to facilitate a resolution. Users had nothing to lose by filing a complaint, as the process was free if they settled without the services of a mediator.
“I think online businesses in particular will learn that there is an advantage in having systems in place that create or improve trust in their system,” says Erdle.
“I just think that they will benefit in the marketplace. I think eBay already has benefited from its efforts to try to prevent ripoffs and to police its own system and to resolve disputes.
“As they learn how to do that more effectively, that will improve and that it will spread further. So I think there will be more.”
As another example, Cybersettle Inc. is an American ODR company operating in the field of insurance. It has used a blind bidding system, where the parties agree ahead of time if the offers fall within a certain range the dispute will end by splitting the difference. When the offers are far apart, the machine can keep the offers secret and negotiations can continue.
The dispute resolution mechanism for the domain-name resolution system, the uniform domain-name dispute resolution policy, offers another well-known and effective example, this time of an arbitration-based ADR system for settling online disputes.
“The reason the domain name system works is that everybody who registers a domain name has to agree to this process up front,” says Erdle. “Otherwise . . . you’d never get people to voluntarily do it if there was a dispute.”
A business-to-business online marketplace could adopt that model and, as part of its terms and conditions, impose a mandatory mediation/arbitration system that would be fairly effective, says Erdle, as could online networking sites such as Second Life or Facebook.
“They have different systems in place now, but they could certainly establish, if they wanted, a mandatory arbitration system, and it would be entirely internal to that world, but it would prevent what happens now if somebody has a dispute on Second Life with another participant.”
Online dispute resolution systems continue to change rapidly as the price of the software drops, he says, and to incorporate newer technologies, such as video conferencing.
“The systems that are in place now are showing people what works well, what doesn’t work so well. Those systems I think will be refined over time to make them more effective.
Stanley Korshak to Launch E-Commerce
Stanley Korshak, the independent luxury emporium here, plans to begin selling merchandise on its Web site in October, owner Crawford Brock said.
“There are a lot of challenges,” Brock acknowledged. “You have to take the pictures, do the updates, the fulfillment. You have to give it the same level of service as our stores.”
The site will initially feature handbags, jewelry and cosmetics — merchandise that is not sized. Eventually, it might offer clothing as well.
“I think it could be as big as we are,” said Brock, estimating the company’s annual sales at $44 million. “We’re going to treat it like another store with the same level of service.”
The Internet business will be managed from the mezzanine of the Shak, a women’s contemporary boutique located across the courtyard from the main store. The space formerly housed a department of young men’s clothing and denim that wasn’t profitable.
Sales associates are already using the Web to e-mail pictures of merchandise to customers, Brock said, so it was logical to hire a developer to expand the store’s Web site beyond branding and information.
“There are a lot of challenges,” Brock acknowledged. “You have to take the pictures, do the updates, the fulfillment. You have to give it the same level of service as our stores.”
The site will initially feature handbags, jewelry and cosmetics — merchandise that is not sized. Eventually, it might offer clothing as well.
“I think it could be as big as we are,” said Brock, estimating the company’s annual sales at $44 million. “We’re going to treat it like another store with the same level of service.”
The Internet business will be managed from the mezzanine of the Shak, a women’s contemporary boutique located across the courtyard from the main store. The space formerly housed a department of young men’s clothing and denim that wasn’t profitable.
Sales associates are already using the Web to e-mail pictures of merchandise to customers, Brock said, so it was logical to hire a developer to expand the store’s Web site beyond branding and information.
Gartner: 90% of Ecommerce Sites Will Use SaaS by 2013
Even with the benefits from e-commerce SaaS solutions, commitment to upgrading e-commerce Web sites appears to outpace commitment to the SaaS model for e-commerce during the next couple of years. Gartner analysts believe several factors are contributing to this trend:
- SaaS e-commerce may not be appropriate for some Web sites, and may not provide a differentiated experience — Because the SaaS model has a low barrier to entry, some organizations feel that competitors can sign up quickly and easily with the same SaaS e-commerce provider, and deliver an equal online customer experience. However, organizations that are challenged in their e-commerce IT capabilities (such as lack of budget for people, hardware and software), and organizations that can have e-commerce capabilities without having to obtain hardware and software, find SaaS e-commerce appealing.
- Current SaaS e-commerce offerings can’t support business-to-business (B2B) — All SaaS e-commerce vendors support B2C online selling; however, for vendors with B2B requirements (such as quoting, proposal generation, lead management and purchase order payment processes), or for organizations that sell into a multilevel network of partners, SaaS e-commerce offerings won't be able to meet the necessary requirements.
- Concern about the impact of SaaS e-commerce on the total IT portfolio —Organizations are often concerned about the management of a mixed-application environment (SaaS and non-SaaS applications). Many IT people fear that they'll be held responsible for site outages or performance issues when they actually have no control over the SaaS e-commerce application or its operating environment, and can control only part of the systems that contribute to the overall customer experience.
- Uncertainty of SaaS e-commerce integration with other applications — Organizations that aren't familiar with SaaS offerings are uncertain how to integrate SaaS e-commerce with their existing applications and the stability of the integration over time. Although SaaS vendors don't operate in a stand-alone vacuum, some are able to loosely couple with an organization's applications via application programming interfaces, Web services or XML interfaces, while others have specific and tightly coupled integration requirements.
- Concern about data collection and data ownership issues in a SaaS e-commerce environment — Many vendors claim that all data associated with a client site is owned by the subscriber, but that aggregated data isn't. This belief may vary by vendor, so organizations should ensure that they cover this issue before entering into a contract.
- Some vendors have technical limitations, such a shortcomings in Web 2.0 capabilities — In some cases, vendors focus on providing commodity e-commerce functions (enabling organizations to have basic online stores) to a large audience, while other vendors focus on providing enterpriselike e-commerce solutions for large organizations, which are more aligned with Web 2.0 capabilities.
- Organizations may need IT and non-IT resources to support the Web site — This varies by the vendor selected, because some vendors require the organization to have some IT resources for integration support with back-end systems, and to have business users to manage the products and the site's user interface. Other vendors may provide both of these supportive services; thus, clients must understand their commitments before entering into a contract for the service.
- Various SaaS e-commerce payment models are creating confusion — Payment for SaaS e-commerce can vary by provider, so organizations must run test models to determine what they'll be paying for SaaS e-commerce in the short term (less than three years) and the long term (greater than five years).
“SaaS e-commerce is a viable solution for some organizations, however, they must make that determination based on the SaaS vendor’s capability to meet their technical and functional requirements, and on the type of subscription payment model that’s offered,” said Mr. Alvarez. “Before pursuing SaaS for e-commerce, organizations should develop a SaaS strategy that accounts for the scoping, evaluation, selection, operation and different architectures or SaaS solutions, as well as determines the organizations comfort level in leveraging externally provided IT applications.”
- SaaS e-commerce may not be appropriate for some Web sites, and may not provide a differentiated experience — Because the SaaS model has a low barrier to entry, some organizations feel that competitors can sign up quickly and easily with the same SaaS e-commerce provider, and deliver an equal online customer experience. However, organizations that are challenged in their e-commerce IT capabilities (such as lack of budget for people, hardware and software), and organizations that can have e-commerce capabilities without having to obtain hardware and software, find SaaS e-commerce appealing.
- Current SaaS e-commerce offerings can’t support business-to-business (B2B) — All SaaS e-commerce vendors support B2C online selling; however, for vendors with B2B requirements (such as quoting, proposal generation, lead management and purchase order payment processes), or for organizations that sell into a multilevel network of partners, SaaS e-commerce offerings won't be able to meet the necessary requirements.
- Concern about the impact of SaaS e-commerce on the total IT portfolio —Organizations are often concerned about the management of a mixed-application environment (SaaS and non-SaaS applications). Many IT people fear that they'll be held responsible for site outages or performance issues when they actually have no control over the SaaS e-commerce application or its operating environment, and can control only part of the systems that contribute to the overall customer experience.
- Uncertainty of SaaS e-commerce integration with other applications — Organizations that aren't familiar with SaaS offerings are uncertain how to integrate SaaS e-commerce with their existing applications and the stability of the integration over time. Although SaaS vendors don't operate in a stand-alone vacuum, some are able to loosely couple with an organization's applications via application programming interfaces, Web services or XML interfaces, while others have specific and tightly coupled integration requirements.
- Concern about data collection and data ownership issues in a SaaS e-commerce environment — Many vendors claim that all data associated with a client site is owned by the subscriber, but that aggregated data isn't. This belief may vary by vendor, so organizations should ensure that they cover this issue before entering into a contract.
- Some vendors have technical limitations, such a shortcomings in Web 2.0 capabilities — In some cases, vendors focus on providing commodity e-commerce functions (enabling organizations to have basic online stores) to a large audience, while other vendors focus on providing enterpriselike e-commerce solutions for large organizations, which are more aligned with Web 2.0 capabilities.
- Organizations may need IT and non-IT resources to support the Web site — This varies by the vendor selected, because some vendors require the organization to have some IT resources for integration support with back-end systems, and to have business users to manage the products and the site's user interface. Other vendors may provide both of these supportive services; thus, clients must understand their commitments before entering into a contract for the service.
- Various SaaS e-commerce payment models are creating confusion — Payment for SaaS e-commerce can vary by provider, so organizations must run test models to determine what they'll be paying for SaaS e-commerce in the short term (less than three years) and the long term (greater than five years).
“SaaS e-commerce is a viable solution for some organizations, however, they must make that determination based on the SaaS vendor’s capability to meet their technical and functional requirements, and on the type of subscription payment model that’s offered,” said Mr. Alvarez. “Before pursuing SaaS for e-commerce, organizations should develop a SaaS strategy that accounts for the scoping, evaluation, selection, operation and different architectures or SaaS solutions, as well as determines the organizations comfort level in leveraging externally provided IT applications.”
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Govt. to Work with Financial Sector to Safeguard Electronic Commerce
Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Reginald Budhan, has said that the Government would continue to work closely with the financial sector, to safeguard the integrity of the country's electronic commerce framework.
He noted that the sustainability of the electronic transactions, particularly e-commerce, is contingent on a "supportive and responsive" infrastructure, in which "both buyer and seller have confidence." This, he added, must be supported by a financial sector that "fully participates in and embraces electronic commerce solutions."
Delivering the keynote address at the launch of Den Tronix Limited's Accounting Information Systems Suite and Web Site, at the Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston on July 23, Mr. Budhan said that the growth of electronic commerce had the potential to offer substantial benefits to consumers, including increased choices leading to greater competition; lower prices through the removal of intermediaries between producers and consumers; more information on products, and improved after sale services.
He pointed out that electronic commerce would be beneficial to individuals unable to participate in the "traditional marketplace."
"For example, those who live in rural areas, will have access to a range of goods and services, normally only available in urban areas. In addition, people who have an illness or a disability, will also have the benefit of on-line shopping," Mr. Budhan explained, pointing out that e-commerce would only realize its full potential if it has the consumer's confidence.
"This (confidence) will be supported by public education and public and private sector co-operation, buttressed by a clear, consistent legal framework," he added.
In this regard, Mr. Budhan said e-transactions must become standard characteristics locally. He noted that wider international access within the existing credit card system has resulted in the imposition of risk premiums for non-secure transactions. Further, that the recent passage of the Electronic Transactions Act, and the Cyber Crimes Legislation, currently being promulgated, "have signalled to the international community that Jamaica is developing a more secure electronic environment, which will result in a reduction in risk premium."
Mr. Budhan also stressed the need to address a number of key issues that would ensure a safe and efficient on-line environment that consumers would trust. These include: providing consumers with adequate information; establishing secure methods of online payments; and protecting personal information in the online environment.
"The Government will encourage the private sector to adopt self-regulatory systems and codes of practice in electronic commerce, so that regulatory intervention by Government in the electronic market is minimal. Further, the Government will seek to promote alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, which will allow the consumer fast, effective and fair redress for fraudulent, deceptive or unfair business practices online," he informed.
Government, Mr. Budhan further advised, would continue attempts at boosting confidence in e-commerce and address the digital divide, through public education campaigns and the important "transformational value" of information and communications technologies, adding that private sector partnership with Government would be essential in this process.
Den Tronix Limited is a fully-owned Jamaican company, specializing in the development and production of computer software systems, electrical and electronic, and solar products.
He noted that the sustainability of the electronic transactions, particularly e-commerce, is contingent on a "supportive and responsive" infrastructure, in which "both buyer and seller have confidence." This, he added, must be supported by a financial sector that "fully participates in and embraces electronic commerce solutions."
Delivering the keynote address at the launch of Den Tronix Limited's Accounting Information Systems Suite and Web Site, at the Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston on July 23, Mr. Budhan said that the growth of electronic commerce had the potential to offer substantial benefits to consumers, including increased choices leading to greater competition; lower prices through the removal of intermediaries between producers and consumers; more information on products, and improved after sale services.
He pointed out that electronic commerce would be beneficial to individuals unable to participate in the "traditional marketplace."
"For example, those who live in rural areas, will have access to a range of goods and services, normally only available in urban areas. In addition, people who have an illness or a disability, will also have the benefit of on-line shopping," Mr. Budhan explained, pointing out that e-commerce would only realize its full potential if it has the consumer's confidence.
"This (confidence) will be supported by public education and public and private sector co-operation, buttressed by a clear, consistent legal framework," he added.
In this regard, Mr. Budhan said e-transactions must become standard characteristics locally. He noted that wider international access within the existing credit card system has resulted in the imposition of risk premiums for non-secure transactions. Further, that the recent passage of the Electronic Transactions Act, and the Cyber Crimes Legislation, currently being promulgated, "have signalled to the international community that Jamaica is developing a more secure electronic environment, which will result in a reduction in risk premium."
Mr. Budhan also stressed the need to address a number of key issues that would ensure a safe and efficient on-line environment that consumers would trust. These include: providing consumers with adequate information; establishing secure methods of online payments; and protecting personal information in the online environment.
"The Government will encourage the private sector to adopt self-regulatory systems and codes of practice in electronic commerce, so that regulatory intervention by Government in the electronic market is minimal. Further, the Government will seek to promote alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, which will allow the consumer fast, effective and fair redress for fraudulent, deceptive or unfair business practices online," he informed.
Government, Mr. Budhan further advised, would continue attempts at boosting confidence in e-commerce and address the digital divide, through public education campaigns and the important "transformational value" of information and communications technologies, adding that private sector partnership with Government would be essential in this process.
Den Tronix Limited is a fully-owned Jamaican company, specializing in the development and production of computer software systems, electrical and electronic, and solar products.
iSOFT wins NHS e-commerce contract extension
NHS Supply Chain has awarded a contract extension to iSOFT to host its e-commerce and logistics operations until 2010. This contract extends a ten-year arrangement with the supplier, initiated by NHS Supply Chain predecessor NHS Logistics.
Operated by DHL Logistics, NHS Supply Chain manages over four million NHS orders a year and aims to provide savings of over £1 billion to the NHS over ten years. NHS Supply Chain is overseen by the NHS Business Services Authority and delivers equipment and supplies to 600 NHS hospitals, GP surgeries and other healthcare organisations from six regional distribution centres. Its e-commerce services include e-trading, e-ordering, e-cataloguing, e-billing and online forecasting.
iSOFT, which was acquired by IBA Health Group in October 2007, offers a fully hosted managed service and a dual data centre operation. The company says that its applications are run in tandem at two separate data centres to guarantee a disaster-tolerant solution. And its warehouse management and distribution applications are developed and supported by IBA subsidiary iB Solutions under a separate contract.
iSOFT UK and Ireland managing director Paul Richards commented: "We have an enviable record of providing a consistently reliable service over many years. Importantly, the long-standing relationship with NHS Supply Chain is built on a true partnership in which we constantly review and develop our service model with the customer to ensure we continually meet its evolving business requirements."
The company has an established relationship with the NHS, having worked with the organisation in relation to the National Programme for IT and having won a number of contracts, including one to upgrade laboratory information systems at a number of NHS trusts in Wales.
Operated by DHL Logistics, NHS Supply Chain manages over four million NHS orders a year and aims to provide savings of over £1 billion to the NHS over ten years. NHS Supply Chain is overseen by the NHS Business Services Authority and delivers equipment and supplies to 600 NHS hospitals, GP surgeries and other healthcare organisations from six regional distribution centres. Its e-commerce services include e-trading, e-ordering, e-cataloguing, e-billing and online forecasting.
iSOFT, which was acquired by IBA Health Group in October 2007, offers a fully hosted managed service and a dual data centre operation. The company says that its applications are run in tandem at two separate data centres to guarantee a disaster-tolerant solution. And its warehouse management and distribution applications are developed and supported by IBA subsidiary iB Solutions under a separate contract.
iSOFT UK and Ireland managing director Paul Richards commented: "We have an enviable record of providing a consistently reliable service over many years. Importantly, the long-standing relationship with NHS Supply Chain is built on a true partnership in which we constantly review and develop our service model with the customer to ensure we continually meet its evolving business requirements."
The company has an established relationship with the NHS, having worked with the organisation in relation to the National Programme for IT and having won a number of contracts, including one to upgrade laboratory information systems at a number of NHS trusts in Wales.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
NHS Extends Contract With iSOFT To Host e-Commerce And Logistics Applications
Alfreton, Derbyshire-based NHS Supply Chain has extended its ten-year contract with iSOFT that was initially signed with NHS Logistics (the predecessor of NHS Supply Chain), for hosting NHS' e-commerce and logistics applications until 2010.
NHS Supply Chain is operated by DHL Logistics, on behalf of NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA), through a 10-year contract, to provide procurement and logistics services for more than 600 NHS trusts, hospitals and other healthcare organizations from six regional distribution centers.
Delivering end-to-end supply chain services, including procurement, logistics, e-commerce, and customer and supplier support, the organization aims at achieving over £1 billion ($1.98 billion) savings for NHS over ten years. The organization leverages expertise from the NHS Logistics Authority, NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency, DHL, for healthcare logistics, and procurement experience from Novation.
iSOFT will offer its fully hosted managed services, with applications operated in conjunction at a dual data centre, for disaster-tolerance. iB Solutions, a subsidiary of IBA Health, develops and supports the warehouse management and distribution applications for the organization, under a separate contract.
iSOFT has been a major supplier to NHS since the National Program for IT (NPfIT) was unveiled in 2002. Some of the recent contracts awarded by NHS include a £1 million contract in 2007 for the upgradation of laboratory information systems at nine NHS trusts in Wales; and a deal by NHS Connecting for Health in 2007, whereby iSOFT was appointed as national supplier of choice to provide clinical systems and services, meeting the national program for IT standards, for GPs across England.
Oxfordshire, UK-based iSOFT, a global leader in delivering advanced software applications for the healthcare sector, was acquired in October 2007 by IBA Health Group, the largest information technology company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. iSOFT provides patient administration, clinical information and medical practice management and laboratory, radiology and pharmacy management products to more than 8,000 organizations in 27 countries
NHS Supply Chain is operated by DHL Logistics, on behalf of NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA), through a 10-year contract, to provide procurement and logistics services for more than 600 NHS trusts, hospitals and other healthcare organizations from six regional distribution centers.
Delivering end-to-end supply chain services, including procurement, logistics, e-commerce, and customer and supplier support, the organization aims at achieving over £1 billion ($1.98 billion) savings for NHS over ten years. The organization leverages expertise from the NHS Logistics Authority, NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency, DHL, for healthcare logistics, and procurement experience from Novation.
iSOFT will offer its fully hosted managed services, with applications operated in conjunction at a dual data centre, for disaster-tolerance. iB Solutions, a subsidiary of IBA Health, develops and supports the warehouse management and distribution applications for the organization, under a separate contract.
iSOFT has been a major supplier to NHS since the National Program for IT (NPfIT) was unveiled in 2002. Some of the recent contracts awarded by NHS include a £1 million contract in 2007 for the upgradation of laboratory information systems at nine NHS trusts in Wales; and a deal by NHS Connecting for Health in 2007, whereby iSOFT was appointed as national supplier of choice to provide clinical systems and services, meeting the national program for IT standards, for GPs across England.
Oxfordshire, UK-based iSOFT, a global leader in delivering advanced software applications for the healthcare sector, was acquired in October 2007 by IBA Health Group, the largest information technology company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. iSOFT provides patient administration, clinical information and medical practice management and laboratory, radiology and pharmacy management products to more than 8,000 organizations in 27 countries
Digital River Signs E-Commerce Agreement with Shure
We are in business to help our clients navigate and manage the complexities involved in running their e-commerce operations,” said Don Peterson, Digital River’s senior vice president of global client development. “Leading electronics manufacturers like Shure continue to rely on our global e-commerce expertise and comprehensive solution to create seamless online shopping experiences for their customers and help grow their businesses.”
To help Shure expand its online business for its growing personal listening and accessory product lines, Digital River is providing end-to-end e-commerce services. For the new store, Digital River is managing online store orders, physical product fulfillment, fraud prevention screening and 24X7 customer service. Digital River also will provide online marketing tools to help Shure implement marketing programs and online product promotions designed to convert traffic into sales and build customer loyalty.
“We selected Digital River as our e-commerce partner because of its global experience and demonstrated success working in online markets,” said Mark Karnes, executive director of global marketing. “The company’s scalable systems and e-marketing expertise and services not only met our technology requirements, but also will provide an important foundation for driving future growth for our business.”
To help Shure expand its online business for its growing personal listening and accessory product lines, Digital River is providing end-to-end e-commerce services. For the new store, Digital River is managing online store orders, physical product fulfillment, fraud prevention screening and 24X7 customer service. Digital River also will provide online marketing tools to help Shure implement marketing programs and online product promotions designed to convert traffic into sales and build customer loyalty.
“We selected Digital River as our e-commerce partner because of its global experience and demonstrated success working in online markets,” said Mark Karnes, executive director of global marketing. “The company’s scalable systems and e-marketing expertise and services not only met our technology requirements, but also will provide an important foundation for driving future growth for our business.”
Digital River Signs E-Commerce Agreement With Shure
Digital River, a provider of global e-commerce solutions, has signed an e-commerce agreement with Shure Incorporated, a manufacturer of microphones, earphones and audio electronics.
Digital River recently designed and launched a new online store located at its website to support the marketing and sales of Shure's consumer and professional audio equipment in the US.
To help Shure expand its online business for its growing personal listening and accessory product lines, Digital River is providing e-commerce services. For the new store, Digital River is managing online store orders, physical product fulfillment, fraud prevention screening and 24X7 customer service. Digital River also will provide online marketing tools to help Shure implement marketing programs and online product promotions designed to convert traffic into sales and build customer loyalty.
Don Peterson, Digital River's senior vice president of global client development, said: "Leading electronics manufacturers like Shure continue to rely on our global e-commerce expertise and comprehensive solution to create seamless online shopping experiences for their customers and help grow their businesses."
Digital River recently designed and launched a new online store located at its website to support the marketing and sales of Shure's consumer and professional audio equipment in the US.
To help Shure expand its online business for its growing personal listening and accessory product lines, Digital River is providing e-commerce services. For the new store, Digital River is managing online store orders, physical product fulfillment, fraud prevention screening and 24X7 customer service. Digital River also will provide online marketing tools to help Shure implement marketing programs and online product promotions designed to convert traffic into sales and build customer loyalty.
Don Peterson, Digital River's senior vice president of global client development, said: "Leading electronics manufacturers like Shure continue to rely on our global e-commerce expertise and comprehensive solution to create seamless online shopping experiences for their customers and help grow their businesses."
OS Commerce Watch: New Magento 1.1 Released
This is one in a series of columns on the open-source commerce (OSC) industry.
Those Magento boys and girls are at it again, kicking butt and taking names by releasing a brand-new, expanded 1.1 release of their already feature-rich open source e-commerce program. The company claims to already be the fastest growing e-commerce platform on the market – and not just open source e-commerce — with over 400,000 production downloads in only 16 weeks. This latest release will boost the world’s acceptance curve sharply with new features that will pique international interest.
The team's marketing messages, already good from the start, have become laser-focused and clearer than any open source e-commerce team I've seen. They have positioned themselves as the competitive solution for shops ranging from the mom-and-pop-type shop, through the medium-size shop selling up to $150 million per year, and their features make them ideal for an enterprise shop. The company is aiming this latest release squarely at world expansion.
This new release includes hundreds of bug fixes and performance improvements including SEO-related fixes, improvements in the Admin components, and also adds support for Canadian and European taxes. Expanded product options will win over the hearts of those who sell customized products, with custom product options, personalized products, and virtual or downloadable products. And an exciting new feature is a Web services API, which opens the door for Magento to be integrated with any application via a Web Services API.
Performance Issues Addressed
The company says one of the main goals for Magento 1.1 was to examine bottlenecks in the platform and improve performance. This new release addresses the key concerns of many 1.0 users, including many bug fixes and slow page-loading times. Changes have been made to the Admin so that data are loaded only when necessary, improving the responsiveness of the Admin significantly.
The company claims a 40-percent performance improvement. Some 1.1 alpha users reported performance improvements of 70 percent in their tests, while others complained that while the new version is much faster, it remains relatively slow. Many factors can influence the speed of the program, including server and caching settings, so if a store remains slow after upgrading, the store owner should seek out additional measures to improve the store's performance.
International Support Increased
Magento Version 1.0 was a US-centric product. Version 1.1 will see the expansion of Magento into many additional new countries where it was previously impossible to use the program due to tax law limitations. Complex laws in Europe and elsewhere for Value Added Taxation (VAT) formerly required programmers to extend the code. According to Varien's Chief Technology Officer, Yoav Kutner, the team has redesigned the tax module so it is more flexible for international use, as well as for changing taxation laws in the US. Already there are active user forums in nearly 50 languages. Translations of over 60 languages and dialects have been initiated by volunteers with varying degrees of completion, and 23 locales are 85 to 100 percent complete. As a result of these activities and changes, the number of version 1.1 product downloads should spike sharply with significant world-wide interest.
Those Magento boys and girls are at it again, kicking butt and taking names by releasing a brand-new, expanded 1.1 release of their already feature-rich open source e-commerce program. The company claims to already be the fastest growing e-commerce platform on the market – and not just open source e-commerce — with over 400,000 production downloads in only 16 weeks. This latest release will boost the world’s acceptance curve sharply with new features that will pique international interest.
The team's marketing messages, already good from the start, have become laser-focused and clearer than any open source e-commerce team I've seen. They have positioned themselves as the competitive solution for shops ranging from the mom-and-pop-type shop, through the medium-size shop selling up to $150 million per year, and their features make them ideal for an enterprise shop. The company is aiming this latest release squarely at world expansion.
This new release includes hundreds of bug fixes and performance improvements including SEO-related fixes, improvements in the Admin components, and also adds support for Canadian and European taxes. Expanded product options will win over the hearts of those who sell customized products, with custom product options, personalized products, and virtual or downloadable products. And an exciting new feature is a Web services API, which opens the door for Magento to be integrated with any application via a Web Services API.
Performance Issues Addressed
The company says one of the main goals for Magento 1.1 was to examine bottlenecks in the platform and improve performance. This new release addresses the key concerns of many 1.0 users, including many bug fixes and slow page-loading times. Changes have been made to the Admin so that data are loaded only when necessary, improving the responsiveness of the Admin significantly.
The company claims a 40-percent performance improvement. Some 1.1 alpha users reported performance improvements of 70 percent in their tests, while others complained that while the new version is much faster, it remains relatively slow. Many factors can influence the speed of the program, including server and caching settings, so if a store remains slow after upgrading, the store owner should seek out additional measures to improve the store's performance.
International Support Increased
Magento Version 1.0 was a US-centric product. Version 1.1 will see the expansion of Magento into many additional new countries where it was previously impossible to use the program due to tax law limitations. Complex laws in Europe and elsewhere for Value Added Taxation (VAT) formerly required programmers to extend the code. According to Varien's Chief Technology Officer, Yoav Kutner, the team has redesigned the tax module so it is more flexible for international use, as well as for changing taxation laws in the US. Already there are active user forums in nearly 50 languages. Translations of over 60 languages and dialects have been initiated by volunteers with varying degrees of completion, and 23 locales are 85 to 100 percent complete. As a result of these activities and changes, the number of version 1.1 product downloads should spike sharply with significant world-wide interest.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
First Hindi e-commerce site
Unveiling the new vertical, hindi-ezeego1.com, here, the chief operating officer of Ezeego1.com, Neelu Singh, said there was a huge market in north India that was comfortable with both English and Hindi, but preferred transacting their business in Hindi.
'The site has been designed specially for them,' Singh said. She cited herself as one of those who was comfortable with Hindi despite knowing English.
Singh said Hindi was the second most preferred language in India today. 'There are a very few multilingual and bi-lingual sites today. However, most of these sites offer content, but do not allow transaction,' Singh told reporters. According to her, a Hindi e-commerce site would inspire confidence among customers.
The entire booking process right up to the payment option on Ezeego's portal is in Hindi. And the target audience at the inception is the vast populace in the income group of Rs.300,000 to Rs.500,000 per annum in towns like Jaipur, Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Kanpur, Lucknow, Bhopal and Indore.
'The inspiration behind the Hindi portal was our call centre where most users requisition support services in Hindi. They would look for somehow who could explain ravel-related queries in Hindi. We realised that there was a huge market waiting to be tapped,' Singh said.
Studies by the government show that the number of internet users in India stood at 32 million in January 2008. The country has more than three million broadband connections and 40 percent of this market is in the tier II cities.
'The site has been designed specially for them,' Singh said. She cited herself as one of those who was comfortable with Hindi despite knowing English.
Singh said Hindi was the second most preferred language in India today. 'There are a very few multilingual and bi-lingual sites today. However, most of these sites offer content, but do not allow transaction,' Singh told reporters. According to her, a Hindi e-commerce site would inspire confidence among customers.
The entire booking process right up to the payment option on Ezeego's portal is in Hindi. And the target audience at the inception is the vast populace in the income group of Rs.300,000 to Rs.500,000 per annum in towns like Jaipur, Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Kanpur, Lucknow, Bhopal and Indore.
'The inspiration behind the Hindi portal was our call centre where most users requisition support services in Hindi. They would look for somehow who could explain ravel-related queries in Hindi. We realised that there was a huge market waiting to be tapped,' Singh said.
Studies by the government show that the number of internet users in India stood at 32 million in January 2008. The country has more than three million broadband connections and 40 percent of this market is in the tier II cities.
Sequim Chamber of Commerce audit finds red ink
An independent audit of the Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce shows a net loss of $10,242 last year, plus a loss of $10,150 on the 2007 Irrigation Festival.
The chamber took in $214,116 in membership dues, and other income, including the city of Sequim's $44,000 for the chamber's operation of the Visitor Information Center at 1192 E. Washington St., and the city's $9,945 payment for "economic development" activities.
The chamber's operational expenses amounted to $224,358 last year.
That included $91,547 in payroll, and $17,573 in member services, according to the audit conducted by NFP Accounting of Bremerton.
The chamber's Irrigation Festival spending included $11,329 on the parade float, $4,817 on the festival queen and princesses, $12,674 on the logging show and $47,262 on "other Irrigation Festival expenses."
The costs of the May events totaled $110,671, while the income amounted to $100,521.
Chamber board president Bill Littlejohn did not, however, express dismay.
Instead he emphasized that his board is poised to hire a new executive director.
It could happen this week, Littlejohn said, when the board holds a special meeting to interview three finalists.
A selection could be made after the meeting on Thursday.
Step forward
The audit, expected to cost $6,000, is in one sense a step forward, Littlejohn said, that allows the chamber to move beyond recent trials.
The board ordered the audit after a group of angry business people, who named themselves the Concerned Chamber Committee, demanded it in February.
After the board fired executive director Lee Lawrence Jan. 18 — without supplying enough reasons to satisfy some chamber members — the CCC formed to call for greater accountability from the organization.
A months-long uncivil war between the CCC, led by Gil Simon of Sequim Village Glass, and the board led to the chamber membershipwide election of eight new board members in April.
Later, Littlejohn replaced interim board president Walt Schubert, who'd replaced Joe Borden, the president of the board that fired Lawrence.
When asked how the chamber might improve its financial health, Littlejohn said, "Hopefully we can increase our membership.
"There's things we can do . . . and I'm encouraged. I know we have a good board, a responsible board.
"We have a good staff," led by office administrator Jeri Smith and interim executive director Carolyn Cooper.
The current 12-member board is a blend of people from diverse professions: Borden, a retired military man who's chairman of the Irrigation Festival, real estate broker Ron Gilles, Olympic Music School director Deborah Rambo Sinn, Blue Whole Gallery artist Lizbeth Harper and attorney Ron Bell among them.
The chamber took in $214,116 in membership dues, and other income, including the city of Sequim's $44,000 for the chamber's operation of the Visitor Information Center at 1192 E. Washington St., and the city's $9,945 payment for "economic development" activities.
The chamber's operational expenses amounted to $224,358 last year.
That included $91,547 in payroll, and $17,573 in member services, according to the audit conducted by NFP Accounting of Bremerton.
The chamber's Irrigation Festival spending included $11,329 on the parade float, $4,817 on the festival queen and princesses, $12,674 on the logging show and $47,262 on "other Irrigation Festival expenses."
The costs of the May events totaled $110,671, while the income amounted to $100,521.
Chamber board president Bill Littlejohn did not, however, express dismay.
Instead he emphasized that his board is poised to hire a new executive director.
It could happen this week, Littlejohn said, when the board holds a special meeting to interview three finalists.
A selection could be made after the meeting on Thursday.
Step forward
The audit, expected to cost $6,000, is in one sense a step forward, Littlejohn said, that allows the chamber to move beyond recent trials.
The board ordered the audit after a group of angry business people, who named themselves the Concerned Chamber Committee, demanded it in February.
After the board fired executive director Lee Lawrence Jan. 18 — without supplying enough reasons to satisfy some chamber members — the CCC formed to call for greater accountability from the organization.
A months-long uncivil war between the CCC, led by Gil Simon of Sequim Village Glass, and the board led to the chamber membershipwide election of eight new board members in April.
Later, Littlejohn replaced interim board president Walt Schubert, who'd replaced Joe Borden, the president of the board that fired Lawrence.
When asked how the chamber might improve its financial health, Littlejohn said, "Hopefully we can increase our membership.
"There's things we can do . . . and I'm encouraged. I know we have a good board, a responsible board.
"We have a good staff," led by office administrator Jeri Smith and interim executive director Carolyn Cooper.
The current 12-member board is a blend of people from diverse professions: Borden, a retired military man who's chairman of the Irrigation Festival, real estate broker Ron Gilles, Olympic Music School director Deborah Rambo Sinn, Blue Whole Gallery artist Lizbeth Harper and attorney Ron Bell among them.
Ecommerce Packaging the Green Way: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
Online auctions exemplify "the three Rs" of the green movement. Many sellers recycle or sell previously used goods, new owners reuse the old goods, and theoretically at least, consumption of new goods is reduced. But beyond the goods, there are also several ways to incorporate the green R verbs into the whole shipping package. And often, the greenest package choices are also economical ones.
Reduce
When it comes to the art of packaging, reducing materials is perhaps the most difficult of the R actions. Experience and clever thinking are often required to use less, rather than more, packaging material while still adequately protecting an item. However, generally, you can reduce packaging material by packing smarter, including using tape only where needed, using light weight filler and selecting the appropriately sized box for an item.
Reduce
When it comes to the art of packaging, reducing materials is perhaps the most difficult of the R actions. Experience and clever thinking are often required to use less, rather than more, packaging material while still adequately protecting an item. However, generally, you can reduce packaging material by packing smarter, including using tape only where needed, using light weight filler and selecting the appropriately sized box for an item.
Korean E-commerce Website Boosts Ethernet Routing and Security With Juniper Networks
Juniper Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:JNPR), the leader in high-performance networking, today announced that Seoul-based Gmarket, one of the world’s largest consumer e-commerce websites, is paving the way to scale Web-based transactions with Juniper Networks MX960 Ethernet Services Routers. The MX-series routers boost Gmarket’s network capacity and manageability by consolidating multiple gigabit Ethernet switching solutions into an easily-managed topology that leverages innovative JUNOS software, Juniper’s single-source code network operating system. The MX960’s Access Control List (ACL) capabilities also fortify Gmarket’s network security.
In addition, Gmarket deployed Juniper Integrated Security Gateways (ISG) – purpose-built, high-performance firewall and VPN gateway – to secure against network threats.
This upgrade follows Gmarket’s previous deployment of Juniper’s NetScreen-5400 firewalls, designed to deliver best-in-class performance capabilities and configuration flexibility for large enterprise, carrier and data center networks. The NetScreen-5400 can scale to 30 Gbps of firewall and 15 Gbps of VPN throughput, and handles up to one million concurrent VPN user sessions to provide secure access to Gmarket’s Web servers, network applications and databases, which host highly sensitive e-commerce data.
“JUNOS was the key differentiating feature for our purchase decision,” said Kiseok Lee, group manager of Gmarket’s System Operation Group. “Its proven reliability, excellent CLI tools, and powerful filtering functionality enable us to provide more reliable and secure services to our customers. The cflow and port-mirroring functions offer real time traffic visibility and detailed analysis. Additionally, the MX-series seamlessly interoperates with our NetScreen and ISG firewalls.”
“We’re confident we selected the best platform to meet our current and future requirements,” added Lee. “While our initial assessment pointed to the MX480, with six interface card slots, we decided to go with MX960 routers – which provide up to 12 – to accommodate future expansion. The Juniper network infrastructure is already delivering superior network performance and return on investment. We are now considering future expansion with the new Juniper Networks EX-series Ethernet switches.”
The MX960 platform delivers up to 960 gigabits per second (Gbps) of switching and routing capacity, which enables more revenue per platform and provides the scale to help maximize Gmarket’s return on investment. Purpose-built for the most demanding network applications, the MX-series establishes a new industry standard for capacity, density, and performance.
Gmarket’s ISG 1000 and ISG 2000 gateways integrate best-in-class Deep Inspection firewall, VPN and DoS capabilities into a single platform. They enable secure, reliable connectivity, along with network and application-level protection, for critical, high-traffic network segments. The ISG series can be upgraded to support full Intrusion Detection and Prevention (IDP) capabilities to provide robust network and application layer protection against current and emerging threats.
“Network-based businesses such as Gmarket depend on highly scalable infrastructure that performs at a high level and without unnecessary complexity or overhead,” said Tim Kang, vice president of Korea for Juniper Networks. “The Korean market recognizes the unique value of the MX-series in delivering high-performance, innovative routing and ease of management.”
About JUNOS Software
JUNOS software is the trusted, secure network operating system driving Juniper Networks leadership in high-performance networking. It provides carrier-class continuous systems availability, automated network operations and the open innovation that businesses demand to quickly align the network with changing business requirements, while reducing complexity, cost and risk. This maximizes flexibility and efficiency to fuel competitive advantage.
In addition, Gmarket deployed Juniper Integrated Security Gateways (ISG) – purpose-built, high-performance firewall and VPN gateway – to secure against network threats.
This upgrade follows Gmarket’s previous deployment of Juniper’s NetScreen-5400 firewalls, designed to deliver best-in-class performance capabilities and configuration flexibility for large enterprise, carrier and data center networks. The NetScreen-5400 can scale to 30 Gbps of firewall and 15 Gbps of VPN throughput, and handles up to one million concurrent VPN user sessions to provide secure access to Gmarket’s Web servers, network applications and databases, which host highly sensitive e-commerce data.
“JUNOS was the key differentiating feature for our purchase decision,” said Kiseok Lee, group manager of Gmarket’s System Operation Group. “Its proven reliability, excellent CLI tools, and powerful filtering functionality enable us to provide more reliable and secure services to our customers. The cflow and port-mirroring functions offer real time traffic visibility and detailed analysis. Additionally, the MX-series seamlessly interoperates with our NetScreen and ISG firewalls.”
“We’re confident we selected the best platform to meet our current and future requirements,” added Lee. “While our initial assessment pointed to the MX480, with six interface card slots, we decided to go with MX960 routers – which provide up to 12 – to accommodate future expansion. The Juniper network infrastructure is already delivering superior network performance and return on investment. We are now considering future expansion with the new Juniper Networks EX-series Ethernet switches.”
The MX960 platform delivers up to 960 gigabits per second (Gbps) of switching and routing capacity, which enables more revenue per platform and provides the scale to help maximize Gmarket’s return on investment. Purpose-built for the most demanding network applications, the MX-series establishes a new industry standard for capacity, density, and performance.
Gmarket’s ISG 1000 and ISG 2000 gateways integrate best-in-class Deep Inspection firewall, VPN and DoS capabilities into a single platform. They enable secure, reliable connectivity, along with network and application-level protection, for critical, high-traffic network segments. The ISG series can be upgraded to support full Intrusion Detection and Prevention (IDP) capabilities to provide robust network and application layer protection against current and emerging threats.
“Network-based businesses such as Gmarket depend on highly scalable infrastructure that performs at a high level and without unnecessary complexity or overhead,” said Tim Kang, vice president of Korea for Juniper Networks. “The Korean market recognizes the unique value of the MX-series in delivering high-performance, innovative routing and ease of management.”
About JUNOS Software
JUNOS software is the trusted, secure network operating system driving Juniper Networks leadership in high-performance networking. It provides carrier-class continuous systems availability, automated network operations and the open innovation that businesses demand to quickly align the network with changing business requirements, while reducing complexity, cost and risk. This maximizes flexibility and efficiency to fuel competitive advantage.
Selling Online with Drupal e-Commerce
The first chapter serves as an introduction to Drupal and the e-Commerce module, and also explains how to download the two of them, as well as the additional module (Token) upon which the latter depends. The author explains the purpose of each area within Drupal's "Site configuration" section, and what changes the reader should make, if any. Also, he provides the background story for the sample e-commerce Web site that is built throughout the book — in this case, a dinosaur model shop. It should be noted that the diagram on page 6 does an effective job of explaining the basic idea of how a CMS works (better than the similar figures seen in other CMS books), and it is followed by an explanation of what e-commerce is. However, it is doubtful that any developer who purchased this book would need to be told what are CMSs and e-commerce.
In the second chapter, the author briefly reviews the steps for adding content and navigation to a Drupal-powered site, by adding pages and menus, respectively. Also, some additional modules are enabled, for creating a contact form and a blog, for the sample site. Up to this point in the book, readers will have become accustomed to the author explicitly guiding them through the steps necessary for creating the sample site. Thus it may come as a surprise to such readers when they see the second figure on page 40, showing the navigation menu, including new sections for dinosaurs and the museum, and a link to a contact page. The two new sections were briefly mentioned three pages earlier, but the steps for creating them were not; the steps for adding the contact page link were apparently not mentioned anywhere. However, any experienced Drupal developer should have no difficulty figuring out how to add these navigation menu items.
With the third chapter, the book shifts focus from Drupal basics to implementing an e-commerce site. Aspects of running an online business — such as site accessibility laws, legal issues, and privacy laws — are mentioned, though readers outside of the United Kingdom will most likely not be pleased by the UK-centricity of the material. Other topics covered include product types, groupings, details, photos, and advertising, as well as customer service.
In Chapter 4, readers learn about the e-Commerce product types and their corresponding modules, and how to add products to the store catalog — including specialized types of products, such as apparel, services, and bundled products ("parcels"). Chapter 5 briefly covers users, rules, permissions, settings, rules, registration, e-mail messages to users, users' pictures, taxonomy, requiring registration, customer management, user orders, contacting users, and adding your business's staff to your site. It also touches upon taxonomy and how to use it for controlling user access to content. But the author fails to explain why this is needed for the online store. Providing such a rationale up front is especially important when asking readers to work their way through potentially daunting subjects such as taxonomy, and implementing them in their own test sites, if they are following what the author is doing.
The sixth chapter begins with an unneeded review of the themes built into Drupal version 5.x, with even more space taken up describing three red-based color schemes. This is followed by a discussion of how to modify whichever of those themes is enabled, and, very briefly, how to create a new theme. In this chapter and many others, the author frequently reminds us that the hypothetical client, Doug of Doug's Dinos, is "really pleased" with the "great looking site." Readers can judge for themselves just how great is the site's design. Admittedly, in a book such as this that does not focus on Web design, a sample site can be quite basic. But the constant praise is unwarranted.
Allowing customer checkout and payment are critical to any e-commerce site, and those topics are explored in Chapter 7. The topic coverage is fairly complete, though occasionally the author does not make clear where in the Drupal administration section the reader will find the particular topic under discussion, e.g., the global anonymous purchase policy. Chapter 8 offers a lot of valuable information, including how to: add shopping cart and search elements to every page, automatically create user accounts, add images to product listings, offer discounts based on customer role, provide coupons, allow bulk purchasing, set up auction and donation products, and automatically adjust charge prices based on various conditions.
Chapter 9 delves into the particulars of calculating taxes and shipping costs, as well as accepting payments through various gateways, including PayPal, which is explored in detail. The only part that will be misleading to readers, is the claim that PayPal's IPN "pings" your server for each customer transaction. Actually, their server does not ping yours, but instead posts transaction data that you can use for updating your online database.
Chapter 10 presents a number of modules and techniques for making an e-commerce site more secure, and also covers domain name, Web hosting, and site maintenance issues. The security modules discussed are definitely worth considering. Some readers may be confused by the Backups section of cPanel mentioned by the author, since not all cPanel installations offer it.
The last two chapters of the book address invoicing, CRM, and marketing one's site. The discussions of search engine optimization, viral marketing, newsletters, etc., are quite cursory, and readers interested in those topics would fare better by consulting books, online articles, and other resources that are much more thorough. The chapter's topic that will probably be of most value to e-commerce developers, is the demonstration of how to significantly customize the layout of invoices, using CSS. The book's sole appendix explains how to install WampServer.
All the chapters conclude with brief summaries, which, without exception, are a waste of space — especially considering the brevity of most of the chapters. The old oratory principle of "tell them what you're going to tell them; tell them; tell them what you told them" may be terrific for speeches, but not for books. That is primarily because someone in an audience listening to a live speech does not have the luxury of looking into the past to hear a portion of the speech again, nor of looking into the future to anticipate what the speaker will say next. Readers of books, on the other hand, can of course jump backward and forward quickly to review or preview material, as needed.
The quality of the book's writing is noticeably weak, with countless awkward phrases and run-on sentences. Some are downright puzzling, e.g., "Thanks for your custom!" (page 125); did the author mean "order?" Throughout the book, one finds a remarkable underuse of commas, frequent mixing up of "that" and "which," misplacement of commas and parentheses, misuse of commas in place of semicolons and even periods (e.g., page 124), semicolons in place of colons, and missing hyphens from adjective phrases. Most noticeable — and at times laughable — is the excessive use of exclamation marks, reflecting a common misconception that they jazz up otherwise dull material. For example, page 49 contains three completely unnecessary exclamation marks, not counting the two contained within a customer testimonial. In addition, the book contains several errata, such as: "loose" (should read "lose"; pages 8 and 195), "leads customers" (should read "leads to customers"; page 57), "products" (should read "product's"; page 62), "customers' role" (should read "customers' roles"; page 88), "to mentioned" (should read "to mention"; page 131), "its does" (page 159), "If a more" (should read "If more"; page 202), "businesses" (should read "business's"; page 221), and many more.
In the second chapter, the author briefly reviews the steps for adding content and navigation to a Drupal-powered site, by adding pages and menus, respectively. Also, some additional modules are enabled, for creating a contact form and a blog, for the sample site. Up to this point in the book, readers will have become accustomed to the author explicitly guiding them through the steps necessary for creating the sample site. Thus it may come as a surprise to such readers when they see the second figure on page 40, showing the navigation menu, including new sections for dinosaurs and the museum, and a link to a contact page. The two new sections were briefly mentioned three pages earlier, but the steps for creating them were not; the steps for adding the contact page link were apparently not mentioned anywhere. However, any experienced Drupal developer should have no difficulty figuring out how to add these navigation menu items.
With the third chapter, the book shifts focus from Drupal basics to implementing an e-commerce site. Aspects of running an online business — such as site accessibility laws, legal issues, and privacy laws — are mentioned, though readers outside of the United Kingdom will most likely not be pleased by the UK-centricity of the material. Other topics covered include product types, groupings, details, photos, and advertising, as well as customer service.
In Chapter 4, readers learn about the e-Commerce product types and their corresponding modules, and how to add products to the store catalog — including specialized types of products, such as apparel, services, and bundled products ("parcels"). Chapter 5 briefly covers users, rules, permissions, settings, rules, registration, e-mail messages to users, users' pictures, taxonomy, requiring registration, customer management, user orders, contacting users, and adding your business's staff to your site. It also touches upon taxonomy and how to use it for controlling user access to content. But the author fails to explain why this is needed for the online store. Providing such a rationale up front is especially important when asking readers to work their way through potentially daunting subjects such as taxonomy, and implementing them in their own test sites, if they are following what the author is doing.
The sixth chapter begins with an unneeded review of the themes built into Drupal version 5.x, with even more space taken up describing three red-based color schemes. This is followed by a discussion of how to modify whichever of those themes is enabled, and, very briefly, how to create a new theme. In this chapter and many others, the author frequently reminds us that the hypothetical client, Doug of Doug's Dinos, is "really pleased" with the "great looking site." Readers can judge for themselves just how great is the site's design. Admittedly, in a book such as this that does not focus on Web design, a sample site can be quite basic. But the constant praise is unwarranted.
Allowing customer checkout and payment are critical to any e-commerce site, and those topics are explored in Chapter 7. The topic coverage is fairly complete, though occasionally the author does not make clear where in the Drupal administration section the reader will find the particular topic under discussion, e.g., the global anonymous purchase policy. Chapter 8 offers a lot of valuable information, including how to: add shopping cart and search elements to every page, automatically create user accounts, add images to product listings, offer discounts based on customer role, provide coupons, allow bulk purchasing, set up auction and donation products, and automatically adjust charge prices based on various conditions.
Chapter 9 delves into the particulars of calculating taxes and shipping costs, as well as accepting payments through various gateways, including PayPal, which is explored in detail. The only part that will be misleading to readers, is the claim that PayPal's IPN "pings" your server for each customer transaction. Actually, their server does not ping yours, but instead posts transaction data that you can use for updating your online database.
Chapter 10 presents a number of modules and techniques for making an e-commerce site more secure, and also covers domain name, Web hosting, and site maintenance issues. The security modules discussed are definitely worth considering. Some readers may be confused by the Backups section of cPanel mentioned by the author, since not all cPanel installations offer it.
The last two chapters of the book address invoicing, CRM, and marketing one's site. The discussions of search engine optimization, viral marketing, newsletters, etc., are quite cursory, and readers interested in those topics would fare better by consulting books, online articles, and other resources that are much more thorough. The chapter's topic that will probably be of most value to e-commerce developers, is the demonstration of how to significantly customize the layout of invoices, using CSS. The book's sole appendix explains how to install WampServer.
All the chapters conclude with brief summaries, which, without exception, are a waste of space — especially considering the brevity of most of the chapters. The old oratory principle of "tell them what you're going to tell them; tell them; tell them what you told them" may be terrific for speeches, but not for books. That is primarily because someone in an audience listening to a live speech does not have the luxury of looking into the past to hear a portion of the speech again, nor of looking into the future to anticipate what the speaker will say next. Readers of books, on the other hand, can of course jump backward and forward quickly to review or preview material, as needed.
The quality of the book's writing is noticeably weak, with countless awkward phrases and run-on sentences. Some are downright puzzling, e.g., "Thanks for your custom!" (page 125); did the author mean "order?" Throughout the book, one finds a remarkable underuse of commas, frequent mixing up of "that" and "which," misplacement of commas and parentheses, misuse of commas in place of semicolons and even periods (e.g., page 124), semicolons in place of colons, and missing hyphens from adjective phrases. Most noticeable — and at times laughable — is the excessive use of exclamation marks, reflecting a common misconception that they jazz up otherwise dull material. For example, page 49 contains three completely unnecessary exclamation marks, not counting the two contained within a customer testimonial. In addition, the book contains several errata, such as: "loose" (should read "lose"; pages 8 and 195), "leads customers" (should read "leads to customers"; page 57), "products" (should read "product's"; page 62), "customers' role" (should read "customers' roles"; page 88), "to mentioned" (should read "to mention"; page 131), "its does" (page 159), "If a more" (should read "If more"; page 202), "businesses" (should read "business's"; page 221), and many more.
Italy shows increase in e-commerce companies
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BuySAFE launches beta of e-commerce rating tool
The company launched a free desktop application on Tuesday called buySAFE Shopping Advisor that offers ratings on U.S.-based e-commerce sites.
The sites are rated based on whether they are using valid SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encryption for data transmission, whether the sites are regularly inspected for security vulnerabilities, have a published privacy policy, and whether the merchant is bonded.
The integrated browser tool also offers a portal to 3,000 shopping sites where purchases are guaranteed with a bond of up to $25,000 and are protected with identity theft insurance for 30 days.
Arlington, Va.-based buySAFE partners with underwriters Liberty Mutual, Travelers, and ACE on these services.
The sites are rated based on whether they are using valid SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encryption for data transmission, whether the sites are regularly inspected for security vulnerabilities, have a published privacy policy, and whether the merchant is bonded.
The integrated browser tool also offers a portal to 3,000 shopping sites where purchases are guaranteed with a bond of up to $25,000 and are protected with identity theft insurance for 30 days.
Arlington, Va.-based buySAFE partners with underwriters Liberty Mutual, Travelers, and ACE on these services.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Romanian e-commerce reports EUR 26 million in volume for H1 2008
Data indicates that in the first half of 2008, almost EUR 26 million changed hands using online payments by means of card transactions based on the 3D Secure system in Romania.
The figure constitutes a threefold increase from 2006, a year that ended with a total transferred sum of nearly EUR 9.5 million. The total e-commerce volume reached EUR 35 million in 2007. Estimates indicate that at the end of 2008 almost EUR 52 million will result from online payments via cards based on the 3D Secure technology.
Most transactions are generated by cards issued in the Romanian currency (RON), although their average value is the smallest. More specifically, the first half of 2008 registered nearly 220,384 transactions made in RON, with an average value per transaction of RON 158 (EUR 43.90). Nearly 75,500 transactions were generated by cards in EUR, with a considerably higher average value per transaction (EUR 208). The cards in USD have generated 3,081 transactions with an average value of USD 249 (EUR 160).
Of the EUR 26 million processed within the first half of 2008, nearly 16 EUR million were generated by cards issued in the euro currency. This indicates that most transactions made in euro are generated by cards from abroad. A research executed at Romanian airline BlueAir.ro indicates, the total number of transactions registered until 12.00 PM, only 8 percent were made by cards issued in RON. The remaining 92 percent were transactions made in euro, made by people from Italy, Spain and Cyprus. Statistics also indicate that the top e-commerce categories in Romania are: tourism services and booking tickets, mobile phone bills, IT & C products and electronics.
At present, there are 148 Romanian stores that have adopted the 3D Secure security system, up from 112 stores registered in 2007. The statistics were published by RomCard, the provider of services for card payment systems in Romania.
The figure constitutes a threefold increase from 2006, a year that ended with a total transferred sum of nearly EUR 9.5 million. The total e-commerce volume reached EUR 35 million in 2007. Estimates indicate that at the end of 2008 almost EUR 52 million will result from online payments via cards based on the 3D Secure technology.
Most transactions are generated by cards issued in the Romanian currency (RON), although their average value is the smallest. More specifically, the first half of 2008 registered nearly 220,384 transactions made in RON, with an average value per transaction of RON 158 (EUR 43.90). Nearly 75,500 transactions were generated by cards in EUR, with a considerably higher average value per transaction (EUR 208). The cards in USD have generated 3,081 transactions with an average value of USD 249 (EUR 160).
Of the EUR 26 million processed within the first half of 2008, nearly 16 EUR million were generated by cards issued in the euro currency. This indicates that most transactions made in euro are generated by cards from abroad. A research executed at Romanian airline BlueAir.ro indicates, the total number of transactions registered until 12.00 PM, only 8 percent were made by cards issued in RON. The remaining 92 percent were transactions made in euro, made by people from Italy, Spain and Cyprus. Statistics also indicate that the top e-commerce categories in Romania are: tourism services and booking tickets, mobile phone bills, IT & C products and electronics.
At present, there are 148 Romanian stores that have adopted the 3D Secure security system, up from 112 stores registered in 2007. The statistics were published by RomCard, the provider of services for card payment systems in Romania.
INTTRA Expands Senior Management Team
INTTRA, the leading e-commerce portal for the ocean freight industry, today announces that Valerie Rainey has joined the Company’s senior management team as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Rainey brings forth significant experience in areas such as e-commerce, strategic alliances, operations and finance. As CFO, Rainey will be responsible for budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, financial modeling and process improvements.
With an evolving global suite of e-commerce solutions for the ocean-shipping industry, INTTRA continues to grow and innovate its product line. Rainey’s appointment affirms the Company’s commitment to providing its customers with comprehensive technologies for simplifying collaboration and increasing supply chain visibility.
“In growing the INTTRA senior management team by recruiting from various industries, we are putting in place a leadership team that will continue developing our current growth strategy while also providing new perspectives that will influence INTTRA’s new direction,” said Ken Bloom, CEO of INTTRA. “We are thrilled to have Valerie on board and look forward to her contribution to INTTRA’s innovation and rapid growth moving forward.”
Prior to joining INTTRA, Rainey was director of finance at Pitney Bowes in its international mail services division where Rainey successfully integrated acquisitions, streamlined processes, instituted internal controls and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance testing. Prior to joining Pitney Bowes, Rainey was with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) for twelve years and held several different positions in finance and operations, strategic alliances and the international arena. Rainey also has previous experience in public accounting with BDO Seidman and Ernst and Young.
“INTTRA’s growth over the past eight years can be attributed to its innovative product line, dedicated senior management team and strategic growth initiatives,” said Rainey. “I look forward to helping continue these trends by developing corporate strategies that will foster INTTRA’s growth for years to come.”
Rainey is a Certified Public Accountant and received a Bachelor of Science and a Masters in Business from Fordham University.
With an evolving global suite of e-commerce solutions for the ocean-shipping industry, INTTRA continues to grow and innovate its product line. Rainey’s appointment affirms the Company’s commitment to providing its customers with comprehensive technologies for simplifying collaboration and increasing supply chain visibility.
“In growing the INTTRA senior management team by recruiting from various industries, we are putting in place a leadership team that will continue developing our current growth strategy while also providing new perspectives that will influence INTTRA’s new direction,” said Ken Bloom, CEO of INTTRA. “We are thrilled to have Valerie on board and look forward to her contribution to INTTRA’s innovation and rapid growth moving forward.”
Prior to joining INTTRA, Rainey was director of finance at Pitney Bowes in its international mail services division where Rainey successfully integrated acquisitions, streamlined processes, instituted internal controls and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance testing. Prior to joining Pitney Bowes, Rainey was with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) for twelve years and held several different positions in finance and operations, strategic alliances and the international arena. Rainey also has previous experience in public accounting with BDO Seidman and Ernst and Young.
“INTTRA’s growth over the past eight years can be attributed to its innovative product line, dedicated senior management team and strategic growth initiatives,” said Rainey. “I look forward to helping continue these trends by developing corporate strategies that will foster INTTRA’s growth for years to come.”
Rainey is a Certified Public Accountant and received a Bachelor of Science and a Masters in Business from Fordham University.
GSI Commerce Platform Used to Launch iRobot's European Direct-to-Consumer Business
GSI Commerce Inc. (Nasdaq: GSIC), a leading provider of e-commerce and multichannel solutions, announced today that iRobot (Nasdaq: IRBT) is utilizing GSI's e-commerce platform to power its direct-to-consumer business in Europe through online stores in the U.K. (www.iroboteurope.co.uk) and Germany (www.iroboteurope.de).
"We are pleased with the full-service GSI e-commerce platform," said John Elordi, interim general manager of the Home Robots division for iRobot Corp. "GSI has been a involved in iRobot's online business growth in the United States, and we expect our e-commerce partnership to continue to flourish as we look to build on new opportunities presented by our international direct-to-consumer business."
iRobot replaced its U.S. e-commerce operation with a GSI e-commerce solution in January 2006 when the Bedford, Mass.-based robotics manufacturer launched a completely re-designed U.S. e-commerce store (www.irobot.com). The multiyear international agreement provides iRobot with e-commerce technology, order processing, and integration to third-party fulfillment and customer care services.
"We're proud to provide the e-commerce platform and services that meet iRobot's needs as they expanded into the direct to consumer business internationally. As international e-commerce becomes more of a strategic priority for our partners, we are committed to helping them grow and expand the reach of their direct-to-consumer businesses," said Steven Davis, executive vice president, international, and president and managing director of GSI Commerce Solutions International, S.L. "There are complexities to international e-commerce that present challenges for brands and retailers. GSI's e-commerce platform supports major European currencies, payment systems and tax collection, which helps to ease our partners' expansion into international e-commerce."
About GSI Commerce
GSI Commerce(R) (www.gsicommerce.com) is a leading provider of services that enable e-commerce, multichannel retailing and interactive marketing for large, business-to-consumer (b2c) enterprises in the U.S. and internationally. We deliver customized e-commerce solutions through an e-commerce platform, which is comprised of technology, fulfillment and customer care. We offer each of the platform's components on a modular basis, or as part of an integrated, end-to-end solution. We also offer a full suite of interactive marketing services through two divisions, gsi interactive(SM) and e-Dialog Inc.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements made in this release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Actual results might differ materially from what is expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Additional information about potential factors that could affect GSI Commerce can be found in its most recent Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and other reports and statements filed by GSI Commerce with the SEC. GSI Commerce expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
"We are pleased with the full-service GSI e-commerce platform," said John Elordi, interim general manager of the Home Robots division for iRobot Corp. "GSI has been a involved in iRobot's online business growth in the United States, and we expect our e-commerce partnership to continue to flourish as we look to build on new opportunities presented by our international direct-to-consumer business."
iRobot replaced its U.S. e-commerce operation with a GSI e-commerce solution in January 2006 when the Bedford, Mass.-based robotics manufacturer launched a completely re-designed U.S. e-commerce store (www.irobot.com). The multiyear international agreement provides iRobot with e-commerce technology, order processing, and integration to third-party fulfillment and customer care services.
"We're proud to provide the e-commerce platform and services that meet iRobot's needs as they expanded into the direct to consumer business internationally. As international e-commerce becomes more of a strategic priority for our partners, we are committed to helping them grow and expand the reach of their direct-to-consumer businesses," said Steven Davis, executive vice president, international, and president and managing director of GSI Commerce Solutions International, S.L. "There are complexities to international e-commerce that present challenges for brands and retailers. GSI's e-commerce platform supports major European currencies, payment systems and tax collection, which helps to ease our partners' expansion into international e-commerce."
About GSI Commerce
GSI Commerce(R) (www.gsicommerce.com) is a leading provider of services that enable e-commerce, multichannel retailing and interactive marketing for large, business-to-consumer (b2c) enterprises in the U.S. and internationally. We deliver customized e-commerce solutions through an e-commerce platform, which is comprised of technology, fulfillment and customer care. We offer each of the platform's components on a modular basis, or as part of an integrated, end-to-end solution. We also offer a full suite of interactive marketing services through two divisions, gsi interactive(SM) and e-Dialog Inc.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements made in this release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Actual results might differ materially from what is expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Additional information about potential factors that could affect GSI Commerce can be found in its most recent Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and other reports and statements filed by GSI Commerce with the SEC. GSI Commerce expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
New Report Forecasts the Market Size of IT Consulting Service Over the Period 2007-2010
The need to rationalize IT expenditure, align IT with business objectives, meet regulatory requirements, choose the right solution and the rise of eCommerce and new technologies such as SOA and virtualization are driving the IT consulting service market.
Further, the total market is segmented into various geographic regions and verticals. The report also presents markets size for major countries in various regions. In addition, the report identifies major selling drivers for the IT consulting service for the major verticals.
This report can help IT vendors identify target geographies and verticals. Furthermore, the identified sales drivers can be used to penetrate the identified vertical or increase current share of the customers wallet.
TechNavio Insights is a set of reports based on TechNavio - a market intelligence platform for the IT industry. It builds on the intelligence available within TechNavio, and leverages on the custom research experience of the Technology Navigators. TechNavio is built on years of experience of the authors in deep dive custom research and consulting for over 30 Fortune 500 companies and numerous large and mid-sized companies.
Key Topics Covered:
Market Size & Forecast
Geographic Segmentation
IT Consulting Services Market in Americas
Americas - Market Size by Country
IT Consulting Services Market in APAC
APAC - Market Size by Country
IT Consulting Services Market in EMEA
EMEA - Market Size by Country
Vertical Segmentation
IT Consulting Services Market Size by Vertical
Sales Drivers by Verticals
Banking, Financial Services & Insurance
Manufacturing
Communications
Government
Retail
Further, the total market is segmented into various geographic regions and verticals. The report also presents markets size for major countries in various regions. In addition, the report identifies major selling drivers for the IT consulting service for the major verticals.
This report can help IT vendors identify target geographies and verticals. Furthermore, the identified sales drivers can be used to penetrate the identified vertical or increase current share of the customers wallet.
TechNavio Insights is a set of reports based on TechNavio - a market intelligence platform for the IT industry. It builds on the intelligence available within TechNavio, and leverages on the custom research experience of the Technology Navigators. TechNavio is built on years of experience of the authors in deep dive custom research and consulting for over 30 Fortune 500 companies and numerous large and mid-sized companies.
Key Topics Covered:
Market Size & Forecast
Geographic Segmentation
IT Consulting Services Market in Americas
Americas - Market Size by Country
IT Consulting Services Market in APAC
APAC - Market Size by Country
IT Consulting Services Market in EMEA
EMEA - Market Size by Country
Vertical Segmentation
IT Consulting Services Market Size by Vertical
Sales Drivers by Verticals
Banking, Financial Services & Insurance
Manufacturing
Communications
Government
Retail
Successories Chooses MarketLive as eCommerce Solution Partner
MarketLive, Inc., the leading global eCommerce software and service provider for retailers, today announced Successories, the leading source of motivational media, has selected MarketLive as the company's eCommerce solution. Together, the two companies will build a more robust eCommerce website that will allow Successories to better market its products and services, strengthen its brand, and improve the online experience for its customers.
"Our goal is to methodically shift Successories from a catalog-centric to a web-centric business allowing our company to grow, but with much lower-cost advertising costs," said John Carroll, President and Chief Operating Officer of Successories. "Clearly, our website is integral to making this happen. We selected MarketLive because they understand our business and have the experience required to help us reach our goal. They were also the best at understanding how to clearly convey the intangible, motivational nature of our products which is critical to differentiating Successories from the competition and building our brand."
As Successories' transition to a web-centric business progressed, more demands were placed on the existing website. "This year, it became clear we needed to search for a more robust and flexible platform to accomplish our goals for the site," added Carroll. After a thorough search and evaluation process, Successories selected MarketLive.
"Our goal is to methodically shift Successories from a catalog-centric to a web-centric business allowing our company to grow, but with much lower-cost advertising costs," said John Carroll, President and Chief Operating Officer of Successories. "Clearly, our website is integral to making this happen. We selected MarketLive because they understand our business and have the experience required to help us reach our goal. They were also the best at understanding how to clearly convey the intangible, motivational nature of our products which is critical to differentiating Successories from the competition and building our brand."
As Successories' transition to a web-centric business progressed, more demands were placed on the existing website. "This year, it became clear we needed to search for a more robust and flexible platform to accomplish our goals for the site," added Carroll. After a thorough search and evaluation process, Successories selected MarketLive.
Monday, March 17, 2008
How to Choose an Ecommerce Storefront for Your Business
Choosing an ecommerce storefront drastically affects your sales. Choose wisely and sales double, triple, or more. Choose poorly and you waste your time and money.
Selecting the right ecommerce storefront begins with determining which features you will need. Doing some research and finding out about the different features available will help you select the services designed to target your individual business needs.
If you already have an existing website that is drawing traffic, adding an easy-to-use shopping cart may be all that you need. Deciding whether or not you want the capability to add html code to your existing website or if you want to be able to restructure your product pages completely are questions you should ask yourself while doing your research. Figure out what additional services you may need. Some ecommerce services offer search engine optimization to increase your traffic, website design to give your online business a new look, email delivery for your client base, and inventory control to help you track your merchandise.
If you need a domain name, server, and client management system in addition to the ecommerce service, these features may not be offered by every service. Decide which features might benefit your company the most. Search for a company that offers everything you need.
How user-friendly the service is should be important to you. You may not want or have time to learn HTML in order to use the features you are paying for. Make sure you know how much of your time is required to set up your ecommerce storefront. Many ecommerce solutions are set up in a way that allows you to use the features even without knowledge of HTML.
These services also vary greatly in price. Setting a budget and sticking to it helps you sort out unnecessary features to select a product that you can live with easily. Another consideration is billing. Some companies will charge one flat fee where others you'll receive a monthly bill.
Studies have shown that customers prefer a speedy checkout. Choose software that allows you to customize the number of clicks needed to check out. You may want the capability to customize other aspects of your service, like providing a consultant or a translator to customize your website further.
One important aspect to consider when choosing an ecommerce storefront service is the shelf life of the software. You do not want your current software to become obsolete in six months. Select one that offers research and product updates on a regular basis to keep your features and software fresh.
Any reputable business offers a satisfaction guarantee. You should thoroughly research the cancellation and refund policies before signing up with an ecommerce storefront. Be wary of any company that does not extend a money-back guarantee.
Read through the customer testimonials available for review. Find out what your competitors have to say about the product. Look for any complaints filed with the online better business bureau.
Customer service is important when deciding on this storefront service. If the company is in a different time zone, check to see that they have adequate customer service representatives available to assist you during your regular business hours. Learn if the company has a service available to help walk you through the setup of your new website.
The company should offer training seminars, videos or troubleshooting guides to help get you through the setup of your new site. As new features become available, training materials should be released to help you learn about these new features.
Getting answers to these targeted issues is the first step toward finding an ecommerce storefront solution that is right for your business. Knowing what you need before you shop gives you the advantage of quickly narrowing down the choices to find the perfect solution.
Selecting the right ecommerce storefront begins with determining which features you will need. Doing some research and finding out about the different features available will help you select the services designed to target your individual business needs.
If you already have an existing website that is drawing traffic, adding an easy-to-use shopping cart may be all that you need. Deciding whether or not you want the capability to add html code to your existing website or if you want to be able to restructure your product pages completely are questions you should ask yourself while doing your research. Figure out what additional services you may need. Some ecommerce services offer search engine optimization to increase your traffic, website design to give your online business a new look, email delivery for your client base, and inventory control to help you track your merchandise.
If you need a domain name, server, and client management system in addition to the ecommerce service, these features may not be offered by every service. Decide which features might benefit your company the most. Search for a company that offers everything you need.
How user-friendly the service is should be important to you. You may not want or have time to learn HTML in order to use the features you are paying for. Make sure you know how much of your time is required to set up your ecommerce storefront. Many ecommerce solutions are set up in a way that allows you to use the features even without knowledge of HTML.
These services also vary greatly in price. Setting a budget and sticking to it helps you sort out unnecessary features to select a product that you can live with easily. Another consideration is billing. Some companies will charge one flat fee where others you'll receive a monthly bill.
Studies have shown that customers prefer a speedy checkout. Choose software that allows you to customize the number of clicks needed to check out. You may want the capability to customize other aspects of your service, like providing a consultant or a translator to customize your website further.
One important aspect to consider when choosing an ecommerce storefront service is the shelf life of the software. You do not want your current software to become obsolete in six months. Select one that offers research and product updates on a regular basis to keep your features and software fresh.
Any reputable business offers a satisfaction guarantee. You should thoroughly research the cancellation and refund policies before signing up with an ecommerce storefront. Be wary of any company that does not extend a money-back guarantee.
Read through the customer testimonials available for review. Find out what your competitors have to say about the product. Look for any complaints filed with the online better business bureau.
Customer service is important when deciding on this storefront service. If the company is in a different time zone, check to see that they have adequate customer service representatives available to assist you during your regular business hours. Learn if the company has a service available to help walk you through the setup of your new website.
The company should offer training seminars, videos or troubleshooting guides to help get you through the setup of your new site. As new features become available, training materials should be released to help you learn about these new features.
Getting answers to these targeted issues is the first step toward finding an ecommerce storefront solution that is right for your business. Knowing what you need before you shop gives you the advantage of quickly narrowing down the choices to find the perfect solution.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
E-commerce Hosting Solution
E-commerce is basically running an online business. To be more precise, buying/selling of goods/services over the internet denotes e commerce.
For trading goods online, you need a virtual online store or shop.
All the features of this shop will be more or less similar to a physical store with the only difference that is it is online.
A typical e-commerce website is also called as shopping cart site or online retail/wholesale store. Products are displayed on the screen, where users can select & put it in the shopping cart or basket. The program takes note of factors like number of products, quantity & price. The products are displayed from the inventory that is lying in the back-end.
Virtually, this is called a database. You also have option to search for a particular product or feature of a product from the database. Based on your inputs, the program fetches the product from the database & displays it to you. You can then drop it in your shopping cart. Once you are done with your shopping, you head for a check-out process, which basically allows you to enter credit card information for the price you are paying & gives you the details of shipping the product at your doorstep. This procedure is called a transaction. Usually, any e-commerce system contains all these features plus any other advanced features depending upon the requirement.
Building an e-commerce system is a complicated process; therefore it is not really advisable to build your own e-commerce system, especially if you are running a smaller business. The best solution is to find a hosting provider that offers a complete e-commerce hosting solution.
While looking for a provider who can offer e commerce web hosting services & solutions, you need to ensure many factors such as how this system handles orders, shipping, inventory, security, billing etc.
The above factors are just the basic few; depending upon your level of requirements, you will find anything from very simple to very complex features available from variety of hosting providers.
In a nutshell, to start an online store, you first need to have inventory of products that you intend to sell online. Then, you can approach any web company offering you a complete package of e-commerce hosting services & solutions, to develop & host your website. Once your e commerce site is ready, it is hosted on a dedicated/shared server sometimes fully managed where all the server administration tasks are handled by the hosting company.
For trading goods online, you need a virtual online store or shop.
All the features of this shop will be more or less similar to a physical store with the only difference that is it is online.
A typical e-commerce website is also called as shopping cart site or online retail/wholesale store. Products are displayed on the screen, where users can select & put it in the shopping cart or basket. The program takes note of factors like number of products, quantity & price. The products are displayed from the inventory that is lying in the back-end.
Virtually, this is called a database. You also have option to search for a particular product or feature of a product from the database. Based on your inputs, the program fetches the product from the database & displays it to you. You can then drop it in your shopping cart. Once you are done with your shopping, you head for a check-out process, which basically allows you to enter credit card information for the price you are paying & gives you the details of shipping the product at your doorstep. This procedure is called a transaction. Usually, any e-commerce system contains all these features plus any other advanced features depending upon the requirement.
Building an e-commerce system is a complicated process; therefore it is not really advisable to build your own e-commerce system, especially if you are running a smaller business. The best solution is to find a hosting provider that offers a complete e-commerce hosting solution.
While looking for a provider who can offer e commerce web hosting services & solutions, you need to ensure many factors such as how this system handles orders, shipping, inventory, security, billing etc.
The above factors are just the basic few; depending upon your level of requirements, you will find anything from very simple to very complex features available from variety of hosting providers.
In a nutshell, to start an online store, you first need to have inventory of products that you intend to sell online. Then, you can approach any web company offering you a complete package of e-commerce hosting services & solutions, to develop & host your website. Once your e commerce site is ready, it is hosted on a dedicated/shared server sometimes fully managed where all the server administration tasks are handled by the hosting company.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Ecommerce Threats & Solutions
eCommerce has forever revolutionized the way business is done. Retail has now a long way from the days of physical transactions that were time consuming and prone to errors.
However, eCommerce has unavoidably invited its share of trouble makers. As much as eCommerce simplifies transactions, it is occasionally plagued by serious concerns that jeopardize its security as a medium of exchanging money and information.
Major threats to present day eCommerce include
Breach of Security:
Money Thefts
eCommerce services are about transactions, and transactions are very largely driven by money. This attracts hackers, crackers and everyone with the knowledge of exploiting loopholes in a system. Once a kink in the armor is discovered, they feed the system(and users) with numerous bits of dubious information to extract confidential data(phishing). This is particularly dangerous as the data extracted may be that of credit card numbers, security passwords, transaction details etc.
Also, Payment gateways are vulnerable to interception by unethical users. Cleverly crafted strategies can sift a part or the entire amount being transferred from the user to the online vendor.
Identity thefts
Hackers often gain access to sensitive information like user accounts, user details, addresses, confidential personal information etc. It is a significant threat in view of the privileges one can avail with a false identity.
For instance, one can effortlessly login to an online shopping mart under a stolen identity and make purchases worth thousands of dollars. He/she can then have the order delivered to an address other than the one listed on the records. One can easily see how those orders could be received by the impostor without arousing suspicion. While the fraudsters gains, the original account holder continues to pay the price until the offender is nabbed.
Threats to the system
Viruses, worms, Trojans are very deceptive methods of stealing information. Unless a sound virus-protection strategy is used by the eCommere Solutions firm, these malicious agents can compromise the credibility of all eCommerce web solution services. Often planted by individuals for reasons known best to them alone, viruses breed within the systems and multiply at astonishing speeds. Unchecked, they can potentially cripple the entire system.
Solutions
There is but one solution to all issues that at times dent the security of eCommerce services. Strict vigil on malicious intruders.
Easier said than done? So is every preventive measure. However, with online transactions, progress in security has been overwhelming.
Authentication
Most notable are the advances in identification and elimination of non-genuine users. Ecommerce service designers now use multi-level identification protocols like security questions, encrypted passwords(Encryption), biometrics and others to confirm the identity of their customers. These steps have found wide favor all around due to their effectiveness in weeding out unwelcome access.
Intrusion Check
The issue of tackling viruses and their like has also seen rapid development with anti-virus vendors releasing strong anti-viruses. These are developed by expert programmers who are a notch above the hackers and crackers themselves.
Firewalls are another common way of implementing security measures. These programs restrict access to and from the system to pre-checked users/access points.
Educating Users
eCommerce is run primarily by users. Thus, eCommerce service providers have also turned to educating users about safe practices that make the entire operation trouble free. Recent issues like phishing have been tackled to a good extent by informing genuine users of the perils of publishing their confidential information to unauthorized information seekers.
However, eCommerce has unavoidably invited its share of trouble makers. As much as eCommerce simplifies transactions, it is occasionally plagued by serious concerns that jeopardize its security as a medium of exchanging money and information.
Major threats to present day eCommerce include
Breach of Security:
Money Thefts
eCommerce services are about transactions, and transactions are very largely driven by money. This attracts hackers, crackers and everyone with the knowledge of exploiting loopholes in a system. Once a kink in the armor is discovered, they feed the system(and users) with numerous bits of dubious information to extract confidential data(phishing). This is particularly dangerous as the data extracted may be that of credit card numbers, security passwords, transaction details etc.
Also, Payment gateways are vulnerable to interception by unethical users. Cleverly crafted strategies can sift a part or the entire amount being transferred from the user to the online vendor.
Identity thefts
Hackers often gain access to sensitive information like user accounts, user details, addresses, confidential personal information etc. It is a significant threat in view of the privileges one can avail with a false identity.
For instance, one can effortlessly login to an online shopping mart under a stolen identity and make purchases worth thousands of dollars. He/she can then have the order delivered to an address other than the one listed on the records. One can easily see how those orders could be received by the impostor without arousing suspicion. While the fraudsters gains, the original account holder continues to pay the price until the offender is nabbed.
Threats to the system
Viruses, worms, Trojans are very deceptive methods of stealing information. Unless a sound virus-protection strategy is used by the eCommere Solutions firm, these malicious agents can compromise the credibility of all eCommerce web solution services. Often planted by individuals for reasons known best to them alone, viruses breed within the systems and multiply at astonishing speeds. Unchecked, they can potentially cripple the entire system.
Solutions
There is but one solution to all issues that at times dent the security of eCommerce services. Strict vigil on malicious intruders.
Easier said than done? So is every preventive measure. However, with online transactions, progress in security has been overwhelming.
Authentication
Most notable are the advances in identification and elimination of non-genuine users. Ecommerce service designers now use multi-level identification protocols like security questions, encrypted passwords(Encryption), biometrics and others to confirm the identity of their customers. These steps have found wide favor all around due to their effectiveness in weeding out unwelcome access.
Intrusion Check
The issue of tackling viruses and their like has also seen rapid development with anti-virus vendors releasing strong anti-viruses. These are developed by expert programmers who are a notch above the hackers and crackers themselves.
Firewalls are another common way of implementing security measures. These programs restrict access to and from the system to pre-checked users/access points.
Educating Users
eCommerce is run primarily by users. Thus, eCommerce service providers have also turned to educating users about safe practices that make the entire operation trouble free. Recent issues like phishing have been tackled to a good extent by informing genuine users of the perils of publishing their confidential information to unauthorized information seekers.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Small Business E-Commerce
Are you prepared for a new way of doing business? Do you want some activity that will not take up most of your time, but will enable you to generate income? Do you want to earn more money while staying at the relative comfort of your own home? If your answer to these questions is a resounding YES, then settle down and let me explain to you the concept of small business e-commerce.
The concept of Electronic Commerce, or e-commerce has been around for many years now, ever since the inception of the World Wide Web. Basically, it is simply the process of buying and selling, even trading goods and commodities over the Internet. E-commerce has many advantages, the most well-known is the ability to do business without even leaving the comforts of your own home. So imagine the convenience of earning money while not having to go out and having control over your own time!
So why is this relevant to you? If you have read the entire article up to this point, I can assume that you are either a small business owner who is looking for ways to expand your client base or an individual who is interested in starting up a small business to earn money. Probably you are asking: what do I need to set up a small business online?
There are no concrete rules in e-commerce, but like any business, virtual or not, the following steps would be very helpful to us:
identify your customer base know the marketability of your products make sure that you have a steady supply of the products you are selling reach out to potential customers
For e-commerce, having a website for your business is very crucial. Your website is essentially your store front, and just like any good store, your website should be clean, appealing to look at, and easy to navigate. Imagine a dirty grocery store, with mismatched colors and maze-like shelves! You wouldn't want to buy products from such a store, would you? So the same goes for your e-commerce website.
The concept of Electronic Commerce, or e-commerce has been around for many years now, ever since the inception of the World Wide Web. Basically, it is simply the process of buying and selling, even trading goods and commodities over the Internet. E-commerce has many advantages, the most well-known is the ability to do business without even leaving the comforts of your own home. So imagine the convenience of earning money while not having to go out and having control over your own time!
So why is this relevant to you? If you have read the entire article up to this point, I can assume that you are either a small business owner who is looking for ways to expand your client base or an individual who is interested in starting up a small business to earn money. Probably you are asking: what do I need to set up a small business online?
There are no concrete rules in e-commerce, but like any business, virtual or not, the following steps would be very helpful to us:
identify your customer base know the marketability of your products make sure that you have a steady supply of the products you are selling reach out to potential customers
For e-commerce, having a website for your business is very crucial. Your website is essentially your store front, and just like any good store, your website should be clean, appealing to look at, and easy to navigate. Imagine a dirty grocery store, with mismatched colors and maze-like shelves! You wouldn't want to buy products from such a store, would you? So the same goes for your e-commerce website.
Online Marketing Course
If you are interested in starting an online business and have no idea how, why not enroll in an online marketing course? There are lots of educational opportunities out there that cater to this specific aspect of E-commerce, and believe it or not, most of them are free over the Internet.
The reason why some people fail in business is the lack of proper marketing for their products and services. This is especially true for online stores where the strength of your web presence will make or break your business. Failure of a business due to low sales is usually a sign of poor marketing strategy.
Why is enrolling in an online marketing course good for you? For one, if you have a business, you need to advertise it. But as every store owner knows, advertising takes up a large part of a store's operational cost. This is due to the fact that more often than not, you have to let someone do the actual advertising for your store. You have to hire graphic artists to do your ads and other promotional materials. For small businesses this can really hurt profits as most of your income has to go to advertising fees. A primer on marketing your products could actually help you do these things yourself, essentially teaching you how to "sell" your business. You could reduce and even possibly eliminate the payment for advertising if you learn how to do this yourself, thus earning more profits.
Another advantage is that you don't actually have to go to school since the course materials are available over the Internet. You can learn marketing from the comfort of your own home. This is practically very advantageous since you can study while having the freedom to do other things, like running an online business. For a virtual store owner, this is a win-win scenario.
The reason why some people fail in business is the lack of proper marketing for their products and services. This is especially true for online stores where the strength of your web presence will make or break your business. Failure of a business due to low sales is usually a sign of poor marketing strategy.
Why is enrolling in an online marketing course good for you? For one, if you have a business, you need to advertise it. But as every store owner knows, advertising takes up a large part of a store's operational cost. This is due to the fact that more often than not, you have to let someone do the actual advertising for your store. You have to hire graphic artists to do your ads and other promotional materials. For small businesses this can really hurt profits as most of your income has to go to advertising fees. A primer on marketing your products could actually help you do these things yourself, essentially teaching you how to "sell" your business. You could reduce and even possibly eliminate the payment for advertising if you learn how to do this yourself, thus earning more profits.
Another advantage is that you don't actually have to go to school since the course materials are available over the Internet. You can learn marketing from the comfort of your own home. This is practically very advantageous since you can study while having the freedom to do other things, like running an online business. For a virtual store owner, this is a win-win scenario.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Who Needs An Internet Merchant Account?
The term offshore usually makes people think that something illicit is currently, or going to happen in the future. Not true; in fact, going offshore is a great way of streamlining an international client base and getting better rates, while doing it. The term offshore simply put, means that you are doing your banking in a country other than the one, your company is physically or legally registered in. For many businesses, that do a lot of business in one particular country, that is really the main option.
Merchant Service Providers specializes in finding merchant accounts for businesses throughout the world and links them with the right bank for them, depending on their geographical market and type of business. Ecommerce based businesses differ as widely as any other type of business. Five years ago, a popular, high volume, internet based retail business was Ebay. Today, Ebay is still the leader in internet based seller to seller simple transactions. Most of the business is transacted through Paypal, which is in a sense an escrow service, or entity that holds money, only to be released under terms of a pre-determined agreement. I've heard of them described as an organization that lets you send money to someone else's email. I guess it's not that easy; like all bank transactions, these are funneled through banks, while secure, simply through some bank, somewhere; maybe domestic, maybe offshore. I guess we'll never know. The point is that when you give a business your credit card numbers, they're processed through a number of channels that provide security, transfer funds and deliver them securely to their final destination.
Today, internet based businesses have grown from a merchant supplementing their storefront with taking orders online and over the telephone, to entirely internet and telephone based businesses. These online merchants don't have it as easy as we may think. With the kind of exposure that the internet creates, combined with the relative ease of creating an internet based business, prices are driven down, while volume drastically increases. A good complaint? If your supply lines and logistics are in place. Maintaining and growing a profitable online business is so much of the battle today and the saying is true that the hardest test is the test of time. While good service and accessibility to your vendors and customers are key, sustainability and survival are just as important. Behind the scenes, product fulfillment and good banking keeps you out of court and out of your banker's office applying for a second mortgage. Using a merchant service provider cannot help you with your supply chain management; however, it can help with your online banking needs, as well as specialize in not only high volume credit card processing and online check processing, but also high risk accounts, which are mostly just categorized as, "Card not present" transactions by domestic banking institutions.
Stradefee Limited, for example, works with merchants ranging from low risk, low volume, to high risk, high volume and everything In between. Just as every business owner has specific needs, merchant service providers like them have specific solutions. They can offer merchants services such as virtual terminals, third party fraud scrubbing, aggregator accounts, account signatory services and processing gateways. As not all online merchants offer hard goods, service industry vendors are very much a part of our portfolio. Companies from law firms, large event caterers and concessions providers to online music download websites and travel companies can all benefit from services that internet banking facilitators have to offer. Today, nearly any product that you can purchase in a store, from sporting goods, clothing, large home electronics, appliances and automobiles to services you can obtain like law and medical advice (usually not professional), business consulting, banking and media purchases are all mainstream internet transactions and they're almost all high volume. In an economy, where bottom lines get smaller and personal time is at an all time and coveted low, your business needs to run more efficiently with the ability to grow and maintain that growth. Your banking needs cannot be the bottleneck of your business plan.
Merchant Service Providers specializes in finding merchant accounts for businesses throughout the world and links them with the right bank for them, depending on their geographical market and type of business. Ecommerce based businesses differ as widely as any other type of business. Five years ago, a popular, high volume, internet based retail business was Ebay. Today, Ebay is still the leader in internet based seller to seller simple transactions. Most of the business is transacted through Paypal, which is in a sense an escrow service, or entity that holds money, only to be released under terms of a pre-determined agreement. I've heard of them described as an organization that lets you send money to someone else's email. I guess it's not that easy; like all bank transactions, these are funneled through banks, while secure, simply through some bank, somewhere; maybe domestic, maybe offshore. I guess we'll never know. The point is that when you give a business your credit card numbers, they're processed through a number of channels that provide security, transfer funds and deliver them securely to their final destination.
Today, internet based businesses have grown from a merchant supplementing their storefront with taking orders online and over the telephone, to entirely internet and telephone based businesses. These online merchants don't have it as easy as we may think. With the kind of exposure that the internet creates, combined with the relative ease of creating an internet based business, prices are driven down, while volume drastically increases. A good complaint? If your supply lines and logistics are in place. Maintaining and growing a profitable online business is so much of the battle today and the saying is true that the hardest test is the test of time. While good service and accessibility to your vendors and customers are key, sustainability and survival are just as important. Behind the scenes, product fulfillment and good banking keeps you out of court and out of your banker's office applying for a second mortgage. Using a merchant service provider cannot help you with your supply chain management; however, it can help with your online banking needs, as well as specialize in not only high volume credit card processing and online check processing, but also high risk accounts, which are mostly just categorized as, "Card not present" transactions by domestic banking institutions.
Stradefee Limited, for example, works with merchants ranging from low risk, low volume, to high risk, high volume and everything In between. Just as every business owner has specific needs, merchant service providers like them have specific solutions. They can offer merchants services such as virtual terminals, third party fraud scrubbing, aggregator accounts, account signatory services and processing gateways. As not all online merchants offer hard goods, service industry vendors are very much a part of our portfolio. Companies from law firms, large event caterers and concessions providers to online music download websites and travel companies can all benefit from services that internet banking facilitators have to offer. Today, nearly any product that you can purchase in a store, from sporting goods, clothing, large home electronics, appliances and automobiles to services you can obtain like law and medical advice (usually not professional), business consulting, banking and media purchases are all mainstream internet transactions and they're almost all high volume. In an economy, where bottom lines get smaller and personal time is at an all time and coveted low, your business needs to run more efficiently with the ability to grow and maintain that growth. Your banking needs cannot be the bottleneck of your business plan.
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