Assignment: e-Business Proposal Report

ITECH3301 - Electronic Commerce Systems and Technologies

BTFC receive payment directly from the exhibitors: a deposit to exhibit at a Trade Fair is taken when a contract is made, and the balance of fees to exhibit and for other value-added services is paid before the fair begins. BTFC also receives direct payment of commissions from the trade fair managers for visitor tickets and exhibitor floor space sales.

To promote the business, BTFC also has some branded merchandise available for sale (e.g. mugs, mouse mats, key rings, etc.) and also sell merchandise relevant to each trade fair (caps, badges, pens, etc.), which are bought by BTFC from the trade fair managers for sale to the exhibitors.

BTFC has very close working relations with graphic designers, printers and mail-out companies, and with merchandising companies, who each support the marketing activities of BTFC. Supplier relations are all by word-of-mouth (which has led to some confusion and delivery of incorrect designs, printing or products), while exhibitor contracts are managed using traditional post, email and facsimile transmission of documents.

Ms Holt is keen to improve efficiency in marketing and communications, to expand ticket and merchandise sales, which are potentially very profitable for BTFC, and to improve relations with supply partners and exhibitors. To do this Ms Holt is considering the creation of new online channels for marketing, sales, and for improved communication and collaboration with exhibitors, trade fair managers and supply-chain partners.

You have been called upon as an Internet and management consultant. BTFC wants to know how e-business technologies could be used to improve the company's operations. The company is keen to leave as much open as possible - you have been told that it is a ‘clean sheet' strategy but cannot consume more than half the profits of next year's business. The owner, Ms Holt, needs a report from you with a specific brief, and a general design and functionality of a proposed e-business system.

Requirements: Your e-business proposal should address:

1. clearly identified e-commerce business model(s)

2. how the e-commerce business will derive revenue (i.e. revenue models)

3. what network and communications infrastructure will be required

4. what applications (hardware and software) will be required to meet specific e-commerce business goals

5. how security issues will be addressed

6. how e-marketing requirements will be addressed

7. what choice of payment systems will be made

8. how privacy and other relevant ethical concerns will be addressed

9. how legal issues connected with e-commerce will be addressed

10. how customer service issues will be addressed

11. how the success of the proposed system will be measured (metrics, tools)

12. a mock-up proposal for an e-business system (e.g. a sample e-commerce web site)

Information related to above question is enclosed below:

Attachment:- ITECH3301Assignment2.rar