FREE online courses on ECOMMERCE FUNDAMENTALS - Internet based E commerce - Coping strategies

You can pave the way for a smooth transition to and operation of E-commerce using the Internet for your organization if you:

 

Educate yourself

 

Before embarking upon using the Internet for commercial purposes, seek information related to several areas. Be cognizant of the risks associated with security on the Internet. What tools and techniques are available for addressing these security risks? Are they sufficient in handling the kind of security your organization is concerned with? Also, apprise yourself of the legal issues related to conducting business on the Internet.

 

Ease of access and global reach

 

Given the fact that con­ducting business on the Internet is a relatively new phenomenon and its implications are yet not well understood, it is best to start methodically and with caution. Organizations must always be prepared to make significant changes to their business processes. Even some­thing as simple as a Web Page may have to be modified and enhanced as a result of the experience with its usage and feedback from public.

 

Protect your information assets

 

If you choose to use the Internet for transaction-intensive activities like EDI/customer order processing/reservation systems, use firewalls, encryption and authentication techniques and virus protection software to secure your customers' data as well as organizational data from intruders and other potential hazards.

 

Allocate sufficient resources

 

Just like any other business activity, enough financial and human resources must be secured for the smooth operations of commerce on the Internet. This requires top manage­ment support and, therefore, it must be secured before under­taking this initiative. The services of consultants and Internet service providers may be needed if there is a dearth of in-house expertise.