E-bay in the domain of business information system - Assignment Example

?E-bay in the domain of Business Information System By Table of Contents E-bay in the domain of Business Information System MIS Technology and possible Impacts 4 EBAY 5 Technology Five Forces 6 Management Information Systems (MIS) at Ebay 8 Business to Customer with Information Technology 9 Importance of Information Technology for E-Bay 10 B2c Business Framework of Ebay 11 Recommendations for Improving EBay Business 12 Website Interfaces for EBay 12 EBay’s Websites Information Content 12 The use of Marketing strategies for EBay 13 EBay’s Working Style 14 Use of Social Networking Sites for Improving EBay’s Business 14 Decision Support System (DSS)to Improve Decision Making Power at EBay 15 Conclusion 16 References 17 Introduction At the present, information technology particularly computer networks play a significant role in success of business organizations. Today's ordinary business people are not immediately depending on them however they are openly monitoring, administering and configuring them. In fact, IT staff possessing dedicated skills and practical experience can play an important role in application development, incorporation and maintenance. Additionally, at the present, IT experts need information technology knowledge to determine the ways and functions of IT systems, to customize, design and test systems for competitive benefit, and to look for and recognize new solutions that are able to change as well as improve their business. In addition, today the functions of management information system (MIS) in a business are similar to the functions of heart in the body. In the same way, the data and information can be considered as blood and MIS is the heart. In today’s corporate and business bodies need the fresh and pure supply of blood that is attained through the MIS (the heart). In this scenario, the MIS technology also makes sure that suitable data is gathered from a variety of sources that need to be processed as well as transmitted for carrying further operations to all the required business and corporate destinations. Moreover, the system is anticipated to accomplish the information requirements of a person, a group of individuals, the management processes, the managers and the top management (Anand, 2008), (Ray, 2004) and (Turban et al., 2005). This report presents a detailed analysis of MIS technology and its possible advantages and capabilities for the business organizations. This report will assess EBay’s business and possible impact of information technology based system on the business. This report will outline recommendations for business improvement through the adoption of new technology based systems at the Ebay business. MIS Technology and possible Impacts This section is aimed at assessing the MIS technology framework and possible impact of the MIS technology on any business. The MIS facilitates the clerical staff in carrying out business transaction processing as well as replying quickly to their inquiries on the data pertaining to the deal, the position of a particular record as well as references on a multiplicity of documents. In the same way, the MIS is helpful to the middle management briefing them with target setting, planning and managing the corporate processes. However, it is maintained through the utilization of management capabilities and systems of planning and control. Additionally, the MIS technology based system performs a major role of business and corporate information and data communication, generation, problem detection and facilitates in the process of decision making. In this way, MIS performs significant functions in administration, management and various other processes of a business (Anand, 2008), (Ray, 2004), (Laudon & Laudon, 1999) and (Turban et al., 2005). In addition, MIS technology based systems deal with transaction processing like that answering the issues like that conditions of a particular record as well as multiplicity of documents. Additionally, the MIS technology system offers operational data for scheduling, planning and controlling. In this scenario, it helps management in decision making and to accurately deal with an out of control state of affairs. Moreover, it facilitates middle administration in short term planning, target establishment and controlling the business processes. Furthermore, MIS is a most modern technology, which is aimed at facilitating top management in objective setting, planning company aspects and its implementation. As well as, an MIS system also helps the corporations in development of data and information, corresponding of the developed information, issues recognition and increasing the power of decision making (Anand, 2008), (Ray, 2004), (Laudon & Laudon, 1999) and (Turban et al., 2005). EBAY EBay is a B2C business platform that is considered as world's largest web based marketplace. It presents platforms for buyers and sellers to work together and trade anything. In this scenario, a seller uses this web site to outline a list of products on eBay business website; these products vary from antiques to books, cars to sporting products. Additionally, the seller selects to be familiar with only products bids planned for the item or to offer the “Buy-It-Now-option” that permits customers to buy the products right away at a fixed rate. In this scenario, this web based bidding opens at a price that vendor identifies and remains on eBay for some time, after that purchasers place bids on the products. As products listing stops, the buyer with the highest bid is able to get the products (eBay Inc., 2011) and (Ellis-Christensen, 2011). In addition, there are plenty of products which can be found on this eBay auctioning website. In this scenario, it has turned out to be a huge platform for searching different products, related to collectibles. Additionally, a lot of communities as well make use of this website for bargaining on making use of products similar to small domestic machines, electronics items and a lot of others. People can make use of this web site to purchase through groups and by specific item list or they are able to immediately browse products listings. However, products available for sale are not for all time used. This web site also contains brand new products which can be bought from any small business store that sign-up as goods or business vendors (eBay Inc., 2011) and (Ellis-Christensen, 2011). Technology Five Forces Five Forces analysis allows the marketers to distinguish a competitive situation. It is also similar with other marketing tools for environmental audit, like that PEST analysis; however tends to pay attention on the single, individual, company or strategic business unit rather than a single business product or variety of products. For instance, Dell would analyze the marketplace for business computers for example one of its SBUs (Marketing Teacher, 2011). In this scenario, the risk of entry of possible competitors is comparatively high because of low difficulties to entry. Additionally, new business competitors are able to establish new and innovative web sites at a nominal cost by means of commercially available software. Thus, this low hurdle to market entry will cause rivalry to strengthen in the future. As well because of the broad variety of products placed up for sale at eBay there could be a lot of additional openings for new participants to enter in more specific marketplace sectors. Additionally, the extent of competition in market between recognized businesses inside eBay industry is extremely high. In this scenario, this extensive degree of competition is especially frequent in discount retail business because of the higher attentiveness on being the price leader. In addition, the competition for EBay is extremely wide as well as differs with all of its dissimilar products. In this scenario, EBay struggles closely with a lot of popular broad-based businesses like that customary department and wide-ranging merchandise stores, also a huge range of online retailers. Seeing this hard and competitive situation, eBay business has to struggle and focus on a lot of competitive aspects such as capability to attract consumers, volume of business dealings and choice of products, system reliability, customer service, brand recognition as well as a lot of others to maintain their competitive edge over other competitors (OPPapers, 2011) and (Marketing Teacher, 2011). In addition, the good dealing power of buyers is low for the reason that the seller places the prices of the products and for the reason that majority of the sales are in a sale platform. This provides eBay business and the buyer with less control over the products’ costs however in the majority scenarios the great amount of sellers for each product places the cost low and competitive advantage. In this scenario, the buyers take advantage from the rivalry of the sellers, ease of a trade setting, as well as are not on the power of cost bargaining. Thus, the bargaining capability of suppliers is comparatively high for the reason that eBay has to charge some fee as a commission in order to draw as well as keep loyal sellers. Moreover, the sellers are the dealers of the products and are capable to pick from dissimilar auction companies and choose one offering the smallest costs and commissions, which enables the suppliers to choose the business offering (OPPapers, 2011) and (Marketing Teacher, 2011). Furthermore, the buyers have major good dealing power for the reason that of the extensive level of rivalry all through the industry. Thus, there is an increase in bargaining power for suppliers. For instance, if a dealer is supplier of a definite business, however believes that their service is not high-quality and sufficient or they are able to discover cheaper prices, that supplier will basically switch to an additional business. Thus, the danger of entry is major for the reason that it is a simple industry to get into (OPPapers, 2011) and (Marketing Teacher, 2011). In the same way, buyers have high level bargaining power for the reason that of the extensive level of competition all through the business market place. The threat of entrance is important for the reason that it is a simple industry to get into. Being a new contestant, it would be inflexible to struggle with greater businesses that previously have variety recognition, awareness and devotion attached to their name (OPPapers, 2011) and (Marketing Teacher, 2011). Management Information Systems (MIS) at Ebay At the present, businesses globally make widespread use of management information systems (MISs) to manage their business operations. Additionally, MIS for the top organization of a business is a tool for accumulating and assembling facts and figures regarding all the significant business procedures. As a result, we get information in tabulated in form of significant reports. However, the basic purpose of MIS technology is to manage the technologies, workers and the procedures, policies and practices of the business (Moorty, 2011) and (Laudon & Laudon, 1999). In addition, Ebay business takes countless benefits by making use of MIS for their business. Ebay can make use of MIS to become capable to record, procedure, route and tabulate all the significant business dealings. Additionally, the MIS technology at Ebay business makes easy informed decision making. In this scenario, MIS will be used by the top management to analyze whether their resources are being employed effectively. In this scenario, Ebay will take advantage of two-way communication flow that has been improved by MIS technology application. With the use of MIS, Ebay management will be able to freely tell their staff members regarding their jobs, and the ways in which they are to achieve the main jobs trusted to them. The workers as well in order discuss their concerns, doubts and problems (Moorty, 2011) and (Laudon & Laudon, 1999). Business to Customer with Information Technology A lot of businesses are now making use of information technology to manage customer service in a well-organized and cost-effective way. There is no rejecting aspect regarding the fact that customer service is equally significant to both small and mid-sized businesses. The excellence of that service will either improve or mortify customer loyalty to our business or corporate brand and our company. In this scenario, with the financial system in decline, customers have extra options as compared to ever. However, the business that confirms to be receptive to customer queries, complaints, or extra requirements are able to expand a clear corporate competitive advantage. That's why it is hence significant to recognize how modern and latest technologies are able to facilitate us in case of expected customer requirements; tailor business procedures to best serve clients, as well as eventually enhance the efficiency of our business (Inc. staff, 2011) and (Middleton, 2011). Importance of Information Technology for E-Bay Selling our business products online has a lot of benefits for companies. In this way, our outfitted costs will be noticeably minimized. There will be no need to pay rent for retail building, pay shop helpers, struggle by other high street seller shops or stay for clients to approach at door. Our web based shop never closes. Additionally, with extremely small business investment, online selling could effectively be the means forward for us. Selling on the web based platform offers the capability of reaching at international audience that is able to augment our sales prospects. In addition, the web site visitors will be able to access our products or services 24 hours a day and payment dealings are performed quicker and stress-free (PebbleLtd, 2011). Moreover, it can be a high-quality thought to spend a small time arriving at the quality of comparable services or products we are presenting on Ebay as well as also the fees charged. We will then be capable to determine the most excellent prices to charge for our products or services. In this scenario, a wide-ranging rule of thumb is that products sold on Ebay business are usually priced higher as compared to the wholesale, however lower as compared to retail. On the other hand, receiving criticism for our business service is extremely significant. If we have a constantly exceptional record of feedback, probable customers can even afford to pay a somewhat higher cost for our products or services as they will have trust on us and on our products. Thus, for all time we are need to attempt and plan for a 5-star rating in the business market (PebbleLtd, 2011). B2c Business Framework of Ebay The idea of the business to consumer (B2C) directs to contact amongst a company and end-user. Examples of B2C are capable to be one of our regional business stores. In this scenario, the company store is a company that puts up for sale products to adjacent clients or end users. One more example is of an e-commerce website selling business services or products to citizens from all around the world. Additionally, web based E-bay B2B web based platform ease to use for worldwide manufacturers, wholesalers, suppliers and exporters working collaboratively with international buyers in addition to importers. In addition, Ebay web based B2B websites ease traders to generate an account with them and find out new trade partners, business leads, trade demonstrations, hot deals, and latest buying supplies and a great deal, much more. In this scenario, exceptional instances of Ebay B2B web based portal are proficient to be TradeKey.com (Ameen, 2011) and (Bricklin, 2010). Moreover, Ebay corporate B2C portals ease companies to put up for sale their products to customers in place of further businesses. Though eBay at first started off as a selling website for people to put up for sale their business goods and products to further people, it is capable to be recognized as a B2C web based platform as well since businesses are at there are marketing their company products there to get end-users concerned in their products. Furthermore, not just is eBay business quite profitable, though it is also turning out to be a major business marketplace arrangement planned for selling a lot of types of products (Ameen, 2011) and (Bricklin, 2010). Recommendations for Improving EBay Business This section presents some recommendations for new information technology application at the business of the Ebay. In this scenario, I will recommend some of the main aspects to business for possible improvement. Ebay is a top class business in online business sector. This business has a high level business potential about the business support as well as operational capacity. This business has outfitted in case of improved support for customer and retailers. The major recommendation is regarding offering a straightforward web based operational structure that is able to support less trained clients on the internet. Website Interfaces for EBay Ebay business is presenting a great deal of support as well as capability in scenario of smarter business functionality. In this scenario, business platforms are capable to present a great deal of improved support and capability for the enhanced business working as well as operational support. The general user interface of the Ebay business looks difficult for the users’ point of view however it is user friendly for the technological business man or business staff. This engages a number of technical terms as well as information that take a lot of time of layman to grab to the real idea. Thus, the user interface of the web site should be easy to access and understand. EBay’s Websites Information Content Encompassing associated website information content is the best and significant part in web based business selling and marketing for a company on the web. In fact, without efficient relevant website business information content nothing else will appropriate. As absolutely websites content is ruler and is the majority important fraction of the equation. However, technical writing is major when it arrives at tackling the needs and requirements of an engineer. In this scenario, we can have image based support for showing the real business products difference. Here we are having more technical terms those are simply reasonable for specific class of business users. In addition, Ebay business website is particularly targeting the high level e-commerce clients. As the EBAY Company has a very useful way information presentation that presents a simpler as well as easy business terms for explaining things from a layman’s point of observation (Warholic, 2011). The use of Marketing strategies for EBay Business marketing works for B2B and B2C EBAY websites. As the general marketing policy is the comparable in theory. In marketing to additional businesses or people is one of the massive significant things is to establish high-quality associations. Additionally, the services and products adapt though goods marketing, sales and publicity is one thing that turns out to be similar. In addition, it is one of the massive important features of a company. It has to be taken seriously, by means of its effectual implementation of a tactical plan of attack. The marketing plans have to be more efficient at Ebay company platforms. In this scenario, this website is prepared and offering analogous business promotional policy. This present improved support to business as well as corporations. In this scenario, joint marketing strategy can be used to have efficient business and customer marketing and promotional support (ReviewEssays, 2011). However, for marketing purpose it can make use of other web sites. For instance, it can make a deal with other businesses for the promotion of its business. In this scenario, it can offer some fee to them. In this way, a customer of other business will be able to access the information regarding Ebay. It will be helpful in promoting the business. EBay’s Working Style Ebay Company has a little similarity in general working style though this working method is tremendously dissimilar for a number of technical users. This general working style is prefect in their generally working arrangements, though there are some issues about the simple users for gaining a comprehensive reorganization of the general topics. So this company should provide information in a way that could be easy to understand for the users who are not expert in using internet. Use of Social Networking Sites for Improving EBay’s Business At the present, more and more people make use of this modern technology to communicate and make new friends. In this scenario, they use social networking sites such as Facebook and twitter to keep contact with each other. Thus, seeing the increasing use and importance of social networks now more and more companies have stared utilizing it for the purpose of marketing and business communication. In this scenario, different businesses develop their identity using any social networking site. People visit their page and communicate with the company. They see company’s products and services and tell other friends about their personal experience. So Ebay can also make use of this latest technology to compete with other competitors. In this scenario, Ebay can build its identity using any social networking site. People who use social networks will come to EBay’s page in order to know about its products and offers. If they would like it they will inform other friends. In this way, Ebay will be able to attract more and more customers. It will also improve the status of its business. Decision Support System (DSS)to Improve Decision Making Power at EBay Decision making is one of the most important elements of businesses. In order to run and improve business operations, an organization must take effective decisions. However, these decisions depend on quality of data and information gathered from different departments of the organization. In this scenario, information technology plays a very important role. For this purpose, Ebay can use decision support system. A decision support system is some kind of information system which is used to build effective decisions. The basic purpose of a decision support system is to gather process and use data to form effective decisions. In other words, it is used to collect data from different departments of the organization. Then this data is processed in order to make is useable. After that this processed form of data is used by the top management for taking effective decisions based on realistic data (Laudon & Laudon, 1999). In this way, a decision support system plays a significant role in improving business performance. Thus, by making use of this latest technology Ebay can also improve its performance. Conclusion Information technology particularly computer networks play a significant role in success of business organizations. Today's ordinary business people are not immediately depending on them however they are openly monitoring, administering and configuring them. In fact, IT staff possessing dedicated skills and practical experience can play an important role in application development, incorporation and maintenance. Today the functions of management information system (MIS) in a business are similar to the functions of heart in the body. In the same way, the data and information can be considered as blood and MIS is the heart. In today’s corporate and business bodies need the fresh and pure supply of blood that is attained through the MIS (the heart). The MIS facilitates the clerical staff in carrying out business transaction processing as well as replying quickly to their inquiries on the data pertaining to the deal, the position of a particular record as well as references on a multiplicity of documents. This report has discussed the role of MIS at eBay business. EBay is a B2C business platform that is considered as world's largest web based marketplace. It presents platforms for buyers and sellers to work together and trade anything. In this scenario, a seller uses this web site to outline a list of products on eBay business website; these products vary from antiques to books, cars to sporting products. Finally, this report has recommended some strategies that can be used to improve the business performance. References Ameen, S., 2011. Difference Between B2B and B2C Explained Thoroughly. [Online] Available at: http://community.tradekey.com/article-34/Difference_Between_B2B_and_B2C_Explained_Thoroughly.html [Accessed 26 August 2011]. Anand, K.L., 2008. Role of MIS in management. [Online] Available at: http://www.ustudy.in/node/702 [Accessed 18 August 2011]. Bricklin, D., 2010. What's been successful in B2C. [Online] Available at: http://www.bricklin.com/b2csuccess.htm [Accessed 26 August 2011]. eBay Inc., 2011. What is eBay? 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[Online] Available at: http://pwebs.net/m/b2b-b2c-marketing-how-to-guide/#understanding_the_business [Accessed 25 August 2011]. Read More