Enterprise Portals and E-Commerce: Key Concepts
Enterprise Portals
A portal is software that manages user access to multiple applications, information sources, or an organization’s corporate intranet. Access is tailored based on the user’s role or profile.
Portals are designed to enhance key organizational aspects:
- Provide a single point of access to all corporate data.
- Offer the necessary infrastructure for knowledge management.
- Customize access to applications and information.
- Personalize the portal interface according to end-user preferences.
- Facilitate procedures in an extended enterprise.
There are three main types of portals:
- Information Portals: Focus on organizing and accessing information through data retrieval, integration, and document management.
- Knowledge Portals: Emphasize collaboration, information sharing, and knowledge capture.
- Application Portals: Specialize in a particular business function (e.g., sales).
Beyond enterprise portals, there’s another concept defining a portal as an internet marketing strategy. This aims to have users consistently access the internet through a specific site. Yahoo is an example, offering personalization through My Yahoo and providing services based on user profiles.
Electronic Business (E-Business and E-Commerce)
What is Electronic Commerce?
E-commerce is a form of trade where buyers and sellers negotiate, close, invoice, and/or pay for transactions via a computerized connection.
E-commerce can be defined as a comprehensive system using computer networks, particularly the internet, to create an electronic marketplace. This marketplace facilitates the matching, negotiation, and exchange of business information, documents, and access to electronic banking and supporting information (tariffs, insurance, transportation, etc.). All transactions are conducted with the necessary security and confidentiality.
A company’s strategy should not be dictated by the technology it possesses. Instead, technology should be used according to the company’s adopted strategy. This approach avoids the risk of investing in technology without a specific and tangible objective.
The first step to thriving, and even surviving, in the world of e-business is to redesign the business model.
E-commerce enables companies to listen to their customers and become the “cheapest,” “best known,” or “best.”
Characteristics of an Electronic Commerce System
The main features of an electronic trading system are:
- Personalization and Profiling: Once logged in, users can apply personal information and data about their behavior and preferences to the site.
- Search Management: Efficient and effective search capabilities allow electronic shops to help customers find what they are looking to purchase or evaluate.
- Content and Catalog Management: Content management helps electronic businesses develop, update, deliver, and store data in text or multimedia formats on websites.
Barriers to Online Trade
According to a study by the Boston Consulting Group, companies typically face six barriers in this business:
- Overcoming consumer reluctance.
- Overcoming technological limitations.
- Developing low-cost distribution. Online trade is subject to high prices because the distribution of goods is still conducted through traditional channels.