MIS Exam 4

search engine

business to consumer

An intranet is a network within an organization that uses Internet protocols and technologies (for example, TCP/IP, which includes File Transfer Protocol [FTP], SMTP, and others) for collecting, storing, and disseminating useful information that supports business activities, such as sales, customer service, human resources, and marketing.

Extranets improve coordination between business partners, such as suppliers, distributors, and customers. Critical information can be made available quickly so decisions can be made without delays. For example, a manufacturer can coordinate production by checking the inventory status.

uniform resource locator (URL)

Web browsers

The growing trend toward global customers and products means globalization has also become an important factor in purchasing and the supply chain. Worldwide purchasing gives suppliers the incentive to consider foreign competition as well as domestic competition. Furthermore, large global organizations can reduce costs in purchasing, manufacturing, and distribution because they have access to cheaper labor and can sell products and services locally as well as internationally

Improving customer service

The main difference between a company's Web site and its intranet is that the company Web site is usually public? an intranet is for internal use by employees. However, many companies also allow trusted business partners to access their intranets, usually with a password or another authentication method to protect confidential information.

search engines

sell directly to consumers

Business-to-consumer (B2C) companies—such as Amazon, Barnesandnoble.com, and Onsale.com—sell directly to consumers. Amazon and its business partners sell a wide array of products and services, including books, DVDs, prescription drugs, clothing, and household products. Amazon is an example of a pure-play company, which means that it relies exclusively on the Web to distribute its products. In recent years, companies that used to have only physical stores—called brick-and-mortar companies—have entered the virtual marketplace by establishing comprehensive Web sites and virtual storefronts. Walmart, the Gap, and Staples are examples of this. These companies supplement traditional commerce with ecommerce. Some experts believe that these companies could be more successful than pure-play companies because of the advantages a physical space can offer, such as customers being able to visit a store to see merchandise and make returns.

A well-designed intranet can make the following types of information, among others, available to the entire organization in a timely manner to improve an organization's efficiency and effectiveness: Human resources management 401K plans, upcoming events, company's mission statement and policies, job postings, medical benefits, orientation materials, online training sessions and materials, meeting minutes, vacation time, etc. Sales and marketing—Call tracking, information on competitors, customer information, order tracking and placement, product information, etc. Production and operations—Equipment inventory, facilities management, industry news, product catalog, project information, etc. Accounting and finance— Budget planning, expense reports, etc.

blog

business to business

hypermedia

It facilitates communication between headquarters and subsidiaries in other countries.

Companies use business-to-business (B2B) applications for purchase orders, invoices, inventory status, shipping logistics, business contracts, and other operations. These companies report millions of dollars in savings by increasing transaction speed, reducing errors, and eliminating manual tasks.

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)

Organizational e-commerce activities can include exchange of goods, services, or information among employees. Other examples include conducting training programs and offering human resource services. Some of these activities, although not specifically selling and buying, are considered supporting activities in Porter's value chain. For example, a human resources department supports the personnel involved in producing and distributing a company's products.

Web applications can be used with minimum costs

Web sites

extranet

Internet

global information system (GIS)