Notes

1 Know the technologies required for an e-commerce system

Technologies:

hardware and software eg web servers, browsers, server software, web authoring tools, database system; networking eg TCP/IP addresses, ports and protocols;
considerations eg domain names, multiple registration of domains (.com as well as.co.uk), programming requirements, download speeds, browser and platform compatibility:

2 Understand the impact of e-commerce on organisations

Benefits: eg global marketplace, 24/7 trading, relatively low start-up and running costs, competitive edge, search facilities, gathering customer information, alternative income sources, pricing opportunities eg differences, fluid pricing:

Drawbacks: eg consumer trust, lack of human contact, delivery issues, international legislation, product description problems, security issues:

Promotion: effective use of search engines eg use meta tags, ‘spiders’, paying for prominence in search result listing; newsgroups and forums; banners and pop-ups; spam; site name; direct marketing; ensuring
an effective user interface; establishing customer loyalty in a virtual environment:

Security: issues eg prevention of hacking, viruses, identity theft, firewall impact on site performance, SSL, HTTPS, RSA certificates, strong passwords, alternative authentication methods

Legislation: associated legislation eg Data Protection Act 1998, Computer Misuse Act 1990, Consumer Credit Act 1974, Trading Standards, Freedom of Information Act 2000, copyright legislation, E-commerce
Regulations

3 Understand the effects of e-commerce on society

e-commerce entities:

e-tailers eg Amazon.com, ebuyer.co.uk; manufacturers eg dell.com; existing retailers eg tesco.com, argos.co.uk; consumer led eg eBay;
service providers eg easyJET.co.uk, lastminute.com;
financial eg esure.com, banks: e-tailers eg Amazon.com, ebuyer.co.uk;
manufacturers eg dell.com; existing  retailers eg tesco.com, argos.co.uk;
consumer led eg eBay; service providers eg easyJET.co.uk, lastminute.com;

Social implications:

changing customer perspective eg providing added value, providing service, ease and security;
economic and social impact due to speed of changes; bricks and clicks (integrating high street and online presence);
benefits for customers eg remote shopping, access to goods and services for the housebound, anytime access, internet discounts;
drawbacks eg payment security, assessing quality/fit without actual product, reliance on delivery services; impact on employment; social divide:
changing  customer perspective eg providing added value, providing service, ease and security; economic and social impact due to speed of changes; bricks and clicks (integrating high street and online presence);

Payment systems: services available eg electronic cheque, PayPal, NoChex, credit or debit cards:

4 Be able to plan e-commerce strategies

E-commerce strategy:
structure of site; hosting; promotion;
issues eg cost, security:
Structure:
customer interface eg ease of use, display of products, personal details entry, credit card entry, other types of payment, delivery details; image; style:
Hosting:
choice of ISP; in house or sub-contracted:
Promotion: marketing eg advertising the site, placing in search engines; message board; chat rooms:
Costs: setup; maintenance; security; leasing; advertising; delivery strategy; staff training: setup; maintenance; security; leasing; advertising; delivery strategy; staff training
Security: fraud protection; hackers; viruses: fraud protection; hackers; viruses