Network Applications & E-Commerce

1. What is an IP Address? What is its main function?

An IP is an Internet Protocol. It is the basic communication language or protocol of the Internet. It can also be used as a communications protocol in a private network. Each computer on the Internet has an IP address, these can either be private or public, and however every address must be unique.


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

Web 2.0 is referred to as the Live Web. Users can collaborate and build their own content.
Business are using Web 2.0 to enable access to critical business application for employees and customers.

According to one commentator, 'web 2.0 is the business revolution in the computer industry caused by the move to the Internet as platform, and an attempt to understand the rules for success on that new platform. The web is no longer thinking text; its thinking people.

3. What is Web 3.0?

Semantic web encompasses the following:

• Transforming the web into a database
• An evolutionary path to artificial intelligence
• Search for information using different medias
• Evolution toward 3D


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

Organisations can use search engines to access information. Search engines are computer programs that search for specific information by key words and report the results.
Meta search engines search several engines at once and integrate the findings of the various search engines to answer queries posted by users.


5. What is E - Business, how does it differ from E - Commerce?

E-Commerce – the buying and selling of goods and services over the Internet
E-Business – the conducting of business on the Internet including, not only buying and selling, but also serving customers and collaborating with business partners.



6. List and describe the various e-Business models? (Hint: B2B)

Business to Business (B2B) Applies to business buying from selling to each other over the Internet. Online access to data, including expected shipping data, delivery data and shipping status provided either by the seller or a third – party provider, is widely supported by B2B models.



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

The following three metrics can be use to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of an e Business web site:

• Cookie – a small file deposited on a hard drive by a website containing information about customers and their web activities. Cookies allow websites to record the comings and goings of customers, usually without their knowledge or consent.

• Click – through – a count of the number of people who visit one site and click on an advertisement that takes them to the site of the advertiser.

• Banner ad – advertises the products and services of another business, usually another dot com business. Advertisers can track how often customers click on banner ads resulting in a click – through their website.


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

Opportunities:

• Highly accessible - Business can operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
• Increased customer loyalty - Additional channels for contacting, responding to the accessing customers helps to contribute to customer loyalty.


Challenges:

• Protecting consumers - consumers must be protected against unsolicited goods and communication, illegal or harmful goods.

• Leveraging existing systems - Most companies already use information technology to conduct business in non-Internet environments, such as marketing, order management, billing and customer service.