Introduction

This assignment will enable you to apply the business skills needed to design an e-Commerce solution for a music production company. You will need to consider the organisation and processes of the company and consider what the impact of the Internet and e-Commerce has
been on the company.

Task

You have been provided with a description of a music production company which is considering providing a service where customers can download MP3 versions of the music they produce from their own web site. You will need to consider the effects of this proposal on the
organisation and processes of the company. You will need to investigate the impact of the Internet on the music industry.

Jazzmusic Profile

Jazzmusic is a small independent company which is owned by two partners and has been in existence for twenty years. It specialises in producing music by jazz artistes which is released in CD and Vinyl format. The CD/Vinyl format is sold direct via a phone line, through retailers via music distributors and at concerts. Jazzmusic hire the recording studio and when the recording is produced then have the Vinyl and CDs produced by outside organisations. The invoicing and payment relating to customers and suppliers is basically a manual process supported by records held on a PC.

The reason why Jazzmusic has not released music via MP3 format before is that there is a resistance from jazz listeners to the format. Jazz listeners are very concerned about the quality of the recording and MP3 provide a lower quality format than Vinyl and CD. However, Jazzmusic consider that the ease of using the MP3 format on many different devices could outweigh the quality deficiencies.

Task 1 - Understand the structure and aims of Business Organisations.
Learning Outcome:-

Provide an assessment for the owners of Jazzmusic of the potential impact on the organisation's aims, structure, functions and stakeholders of implementing an Internet based facility for the sale of music in an MP3 format. The assessment should consider what it means for the potential markets, effects on current distribution channels, the organisation of the organisation.

Task 2 - Understand the Impact of e-Commerce.
Learning Outcome:-

Provide an assessment of the impact, the risks and financial implications of introducing an e-Commerce function into Jazzmusic. The assessment should consider the impact on the organization, the global impact of e-Commerce, the potential risks involved in e-Commerce and the possible financial factors such as costs/benefits.

Task 3 - Be able to define the objectives of e-Commerce solutions.
Learning Outcome:-

Provide a statement for the owners' of Jazzmusic's that describes the following for the proposal for an e-Commerce solution:

Objectives
Market Research
Target markets
Market potential

Task 4 - Design of an e-Commerce solutions
Learning Outcome:-

Produce a high level design document for the proposed Jazzmusic e-Commerce solution which covers the following areas:

Technology requirements e.g. hardware, software, security, maintenance, back end systems, supply sources, distribution channels.

Payment systems e.g. electronic cheque, Paypal, NoChex, credit or debit cards.

Security - e.g. prevention of hacking, viruses, identity theft, firewall, impact on site performance, Secure Socket Layer(SSL), secure HTTP (HHTPS), digital certificates, strong passwords, alternative authentication methods.

Legislation - e.g. Data Protection Act 1998, Computer Misuse Act 1990, Consumer Credit Act 1974, Trading Standards, Freedom of Information Act 2000, copyright legislation.

Consideration of other music download sites that exist.

The design document should conclude with an evaluation of your proposed design.

Guidelines:-

1. You should write this assignment in report style, although a formal report structure will not be required. The report should contain the assessments and design document that the Tasks ask for.

2. You should use diagrams and tables of figures where appropriate ensuring to reference their source.

3. You should include a references using the Harvard referencing system.

4. It is advised that you write your report within approximately 3500/4000 words in order for your research and summarising skills to be developed, and for effective time management. However, you are required to ensure that the assignments meets all of the learning outcomes and there is no penalty for being over the suggested word count. Excessive word counts may be asked to be reduced before
marking.