DCO11130 Tutorial 4 (Answer) (Chapter 5 and 9)
DCO11130 Tutorial 4 (Answer) (Chapter 5 and 9)
Section 5.5 Review Questions
2.Describe the inefficiencies of traditional procurement.
The traditional procurement system is inefficient because it involves large amounts of time spent analyzing small repetitive purchases that could be made more efficiently through a more developed system. Additionally, the lack of this developed system creates maverick buying.
3.Define e-procurement and its goals.
E- procurement is the electronic acquisition of goods and services for a business. E-procurement attempts to achieve the following goals: increased productivity, lower purchase prices, improved information flow, minimized maverick purchasing, improved payment processes, faster purchasing, reduced processing costs, and finding new suppliers/vendors.
5.Describe the implementation of e-procurement.
To implement e-procurement a firm must first decide how it fits in its overall strategy. After this is determined, the firm must evaluate its existing processes and changes that this system will make in both processes and personnel. Next, the firm must begin to set up the software that will allow them to continue. This process will involve establishing what goods should be purchased and from whom. Additionally, back-end systems must be configured.
Section 5.9 Review Questions
1.List the major infrastructures required for B2B EC.
The major infrastructures required for the systems include: servers for databases and applications, software for sell-side activities, software for auctions, software for e-procurement, software for CRM, security systems, storefront software, exchange software, and networks and protocols.
3.Describe the roles of the EDI and extranets in interorganizational networks.
EDI provides a standardized system of communication for passing information between business partners. And extranets provide a secure medium for communication while leveraging existing Internet infrastructures and protocols.
Section 9.1 Review Questions
1.Define mobile commerce.
Mobile commerce (m-commerce), also known as m-business, includes any business activity conducted over a wireless telecommunications network.
2. What are the needs of users that have propelled the development of wireless mobile devices?
In the traditional computing environment, users require a desktop computer and networked computers are connected to each other, to networks, to servers, and to peripheral devices, such as printers, via wires in cables. This situation has limited the use of computers and has created difficulties for people who need to be mobile in their work. Specifically, salespeople, field service employees, law enforcement agents, inspectors, utility workers, and executives who travel frequently can be more effective if they can use information technology while at their jobs in the field or in transit. Additionally, most people want to be able to connect to the Internet or use mobile telephone services anyplace, anytime.
3. List and describe the mobile devices used in m-commerce.
Wireless portable computer: A laptop or notebook computer Full functionality of a desktop computer, including Microsoft can become wireless with the addition of a wireless Office, Internet connectivity, and a wide range of business network card.
Tablet PC: A favorite of salespersons and “meeting warriors”; a tablet PC typically includes a stylus, handwriting recognition software, a virtual on-screen keyboard, and an attachable keyboard for data entry.
Palmtop: Early palmtop computers had limited functionality and poor usability factors. The OQO features a thumb keyboard, miniature joystick mouse, thumb-wheel scroll device, a stylus-sensitive touch screen, microphone, USB interactive games will not work well due to limited port, Wi-Fi antenna, Bluetooth transmitter, and a 2-inch, 20Gb hard drive.
Personal digital assistant (PDA): The first handheld computing device has come a long way from its humble calendars, address books, and task lists. Windows Mobile beginnings. Modern PDAs feature color screens, tiny keyboards, and many are mobile telephones, too. Indeed, PDAs are converging with smartphones.
Smartphone: All major cell phone manufacturers now make Internet-enabled cell phones. Modern smartphones, such as the Nokia 3510i, feature color screens, cameras, and innovative keyboard designs for ease of text entry.
Blackberry: A handheld device for e-mail. A screen, tiny keyboard, and innovative interface keep office workers connected to e-mail while traveling or at leisure.
Ogo: Targeted at the “thumb tribe” (younger users who use text messaging), this inexpensive handheld device just sends and receives text. Slightly larger than a cell phone, the Ogo includes a thumb keyboard and special navigation keys for messaging.
Section 9.2 Review Questions
1. Describe a scenario in which Bluetooth might be used.
Bluetooth can be used to pair a number of different devices—wireless keyboards with tablet PCs, PDAs with computers for easy data synchronization, digital cameras with printers. Bluetooth also can link more than two devices, as is done in connectBlue’s (connectblue.se) operating-room control system. Equipment that monitors a patient’s heartbeat, ECG, respiration, and other vital signs all can be linked via Bluetooth, eliminating obstructive and dangerous cables and increasing the portability of the equipment.
Section 9.3 Review Questions
1. Briefly describe the value-added attributes of m-commerce.
- Ubiquity. Ubiquity means being available at any location at any time.
- Convenience. It is very convenient for users to operate in the wireless computing environment. Mobile computing devices are increasing in functionality and usability while remaining the same size or becoming smaller.
- Interactivity. In comparison with the desktop computing environment, transactions, communications, and service provision is immediate and highly interactive in the mobile computing environment.
- Personalization. Mobile devices are truly personal computing devices. Whereas a computer in a home, library, or Internet café may be used by a number of people, mobile devices are almost always owned and operated by a single individual.
- Localization. Knowing where a user is physically located at any particular moment is key to offering relevant services. Such services are known as location-based m-commerce.
2. Discuss mobile payments, especially the potential for wireless micropayments.
The mobile payment provides the capability for customers to use their mobile handsets to access account balances, pay bills, and transfer funds using SMS. Micropayments are electronic payments for small-purchase amounts, generally less than $10. Cellular telephone companies already have mechanisms for billing small amounts (e.g., send a text message for 10 cents) and charging them to the phone owner’s account. Accordingly, many mobile commerce transactions may use micropayment services offered by mobile network providers.
3. Describe the m-wallet and wireless bill payments.
An e-wallet is a piece of software that stores an online shopper’s credit card numbers and other personal information so that the shopper does not have to reenter that information for every online purchase. Companies offered m-wallet (mobile wallet) (also known as wireless wallet) technologies that enabled cardholders to make purchases with a single click from their mobile devices. Wireless bill payments use mobile commerce interfaces to pay bills through mobile networks.