Week 4 Blog Questions

1.  What is Web 2.0, how does it differ from 1.0?

Web 2.0 is the second generation of the world wide web which includes applications and technology such as blogs, wikis and RSS. Web 2.0 is far more about allowing greater amounts of user generated content rather than mostly published content, a trait of Web 1.0. Applications developed on Web 2.0 widely use include, Facebook, Flickr, Twitter, Skype, Paypal, YouTube, MySpace and many more. 

 Web 1.0 focuses on users being able to read, web 2.0 allows users to write and read. 

2.  How could a web 2.0 technology be used in business?

Businesses could use blogs to keep employees up to date with company news, events and new products or to keep customers and potential customers up to date with products or services. A blog could also allow a forum for feedback positive and negative from customers which allows the company to respond swiftly and effectively to any issues which may arise. 
Web 2.0 also allows extensive networking opportunities for businesses and employees. It also creates the opportunity to cut out the middle man in the business model. The business can now interact directly with the customer through the Internet. 
Another use is from the vast expansion of advertising and marketing opportunities which the Internet provides.

3.  What is eBusiness, how does it differ from eCommerce?

E-commerce is buying and selling using an electronic medium. 
E-business is not just about E-commerce transactions; it's about re-defining old business models, with the aid of technology to maximize customer value. re-structuring and streamlining of the business using technology by implementing enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, supply chain management, customer relationship management, data ware housing, data marts, data mining, etc.

E-Business is the overall strategy and E-commerce is an extremely important conponent of E-Business.

4.  What is pure and partial eCommerce 

Pure eCommerce is a type of business whose transactions are mainly carried out via the Internet.

Partial eCommerce is a type of business whose transactions are mainly done in the real world (‘offline’), but does also use the internet for some transactions

5.  List and describe the various eBusiness models?

The two main eBusiness models are indirect PC value chains and Direct PC value chains. The indirect model follows the process of Supplier - PC Maker - Distributor - Retailers/Resellers/Integrators - Final Customer. The Direct model has a more direct chain and only three 'stations'. These are the Supplier, Dell and the Final Customer.

6.  List and describe the major B2B marketplace models?

1. Sell-Side B2B: This model goes directly from the seller to each company (or buyer)
2. Buy-Side B2B: This model goes from the buyer to the sellers (companies)
3. Electronic Exchange: This model begins with the core 'exchange' which can simultaneously be accessed by Sellers, Services and Buyers.
4. Collaborative Commerce model: This model revolves around the core, or 'hub manager'.  Where a 'Hub Manager' acts as an intermediary between buyers, sellers, communities, governments and other bodies.