Posted: August 21st, 2022

E-commerce Proposal

Computer Sciences and Information Technology
Topic:
E-commerce Proposal
Assignment Content

With the proposed addition of the new enterprise systems in place, the executive team wants to increase revenue by implementing e-commerce opportunities for the business. They have asked for a proposal to integrate e-commerce into International Plastics’ business strategy. As a guideline, this type of proposal is typically 3 to 4 pages in length.

Write a proposal with:

1) A list of anticipated functional requirements for e-commerce (the operations that e-commerce must be able to perform)

2) Three options integrating e-commerce into International Plastics’ business strategy

3) A recommendation of the best option based on the list of anticipated functional requirements

E-Commerce Proposal
Introduction
The current business sector requires organizations to explore all possible advantages to increase revenues and reduce costs. E-Commerce offers such an opportunity through its ability to provide marketing, selling, and buying of products or services over the internet (Hyatt, 2018). The integration of E-commerce into International Plastic’s business strategy would require the establishment of an E-commerce department. The newly created department roles will include developing an e-commerce presence map, creation of implementation timeline, and applying search engine optimization services. Developing an e-commerce business model that would support the International Plastics business will involve the deployment of varies software for network functions and implementing required security standards.
Functional requirements for e-commerce
For e-commerce to help the business achieve efficiency, it should be designed to accommodate specific functions that offer fast access to online customer information and history, cell center, and physical operations. The operations that the e-commerce software will perform include inbound marketing, which involves utilizing social media accounts such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, email, blog posts, and SEO. With inbound marketing, the company will be able to target customers with a similar world view as it, creating a more loyal customer fan base, thus increasing lifetime value (Wallace, 2020). The e-e-commerce is also expected to conduct customer relations functions to help the company deliver high-quality customer services. Customer relations can be achieved through a customer management system that includes names, addresses, and customer history. Live chat and phone support will also help in supporting customer services. Another functional requirement for e-commerce is fulfillment activities such as picking and packing orders and warehouse management (Traxler, 2012). Accounting and finance processes should be integrated into e-commerce functions. The account and finance services provided by e-commerce include vendor payments, payroll management, sales, purchases, budgeting, expenses, and basic accounting activities. The e-commerce will provide more accurate data entry and information, and also allow the company to focus on sales, customer services, and marketing to increase its revenue. The e-commerce will also conduct product management function, which entails activities such as managing vendor data, controlling inventory, and recording and keeping product details.
Three Options Integrating E-Commerce into International Plastics’ Business Strategy
The first option that would be used for integrating e-commerce into International Plastic’s business strategy is through the Web site. The web site of the company would be deployed through multiple e-commerce platforms such as computers, tablets, and smartphones. The company web site will be designed to support international e-commerce operations (Hyatt, 2018). The design will include regional specifications, including specific payment options and their provision based on the local practices and preferences of the location. The web site will also have the ability to manage different languages, supporting a single product catalog capable of providing service in any country, and the region-specific search engine ability.
The other option of integrating e-commerce into International Plastics’ business strategy is by the use of Cloud and Subscription Software Models. The cloud and subscription-based systems offer the company the ability to change depending on shifts in the market without investing in o-premise software (Barry, 2019). The cloud-based systems have the capability to increase the company flexibility and enhance the production ability, tracking inventory, managing labor more effectively, and reducing costs associated with IT personnel. Cloud-based SaaS model holds benefits such as allowing the company to track customers across all channels, using the order history of customers to provide relevant offers, and also supports centralized inventory management.
The third option of integrating e-commerce into International Plastics’ business strategy is through combining the ERP into a comprehensive B2B ordering platform. The B2B platform offers complex pricing, which allows the company to provide customer-specific pricing such as multiple price lists and volume discounts allowing customers to place orders online in their preference (MY WEBSPACE, 2020). The B2B ordering platform contains a customer dashboard that indicates their balance for a better shopping plan. The company avoids errors in orders as online customer placed orders are directly raised against a customer’s account in the company ERP system.
Recommendation of Functional Requirements
The proposal of the functional requirements of e-commerce includes designing a faster web site to increase customer satisfaction. A fast web site will also increase functions such as marketing and product management to be more effective as they require constant monitoring. It is recommended that e-commerce be personalized when it comes to conducting customer services, fulfillment, and marketing functionalities. The three functional requirements are directly linked to the customer, therefore, designing the e-commerce that is dynamic, personalized, and user-friendly. Personalization strategy will connect the customers to more specific products based on their preferences, which will improve the ability of the company to increase revenue (Greene, 2018). Before integrating fulfillment functions, it is recommended to understand the costs associated and other availed options to ensure the safety of inventory processes.
References
Barry, C. (2019). Trends That Are Shaping the Operations in Multichannel Companies. Multi Channel Merchant. Retrieved from https://multichannelmerchant.com/blog/7-operational-strategies-remain-competitive-efficient/
Greene, V. (2018, April 5). The Top 5 Functional Requirements for eCommerce Websites. Acro Media Inc. Retrieved from https://blog.acromedia.com/the-top-5-functional-requirements-for-ecommerce-websites
Hyatt, P. (2018, September 7). Use an Integrated E-Commerce Model to Set Your Business Up For Online Success. Trade Ready. Retrieved from http://www.tradeready.ca/2018/topics/marketingsales/use-an-integrated-e-commerce-model-to-set-your-business-up-for-online-success/
MY WEBSPACE. (2020). FLEXIBLE ERP | ACCOUNTING INTEGRATED E-COMMERCE & B2B. Retrieved from https://mywebspace.co.za/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAkePyBRCEARIsAMy5Scvc-AXG17DaKFbWfYiqcmbF_BKa2SV8Q49IuCyYk_I4FVfJYG7qTUcaAq_KEALw_wcB
Traxler, D. (2012, May 8). 7 Key Ecommerce Infrastructure Decisions. Practical Ecommerce. Retrieved from https://www.practicalecommerce.com/7-Key-Ecommerce-Infrastructure-Decisions
Wallace, T. (2020). The 6 Must-Have Operational Strategies to Dominate Omnichannel Ecommerce. BigCommerce Pty. Ltd. Retrieved from https://www.bigcommerce.com/blog/operational-strategies-to-dominate-omnichannel-ecommerce/#undefined

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