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Commerce Activities
The table below shows an overview of the most common activities in a commercial transaction. It shows the interactions between a client or customer, who buys products and services, and a provider, who provides these products and services.
The modes of communication between seller and buyer are also shown. The possible electronic modes of communication are listed in red bold text. They include e-mail, websites, electronic money transfer, telephone conversations, facsimile transmissions and other electronic means. Telegraph and telex would also belong here, but they have become essentially obsolete.
The symbols < and > indicate the direction of communication.
|
OVERVIEW OF COMMERCE ACTIVITIES |
|||
|
Item |
CLIENT/CUSTOMER |
MODE OF COMMUNICATION |
PROVIDER |
|
1. |
Evaluates offer |
< Printed media < Web < Telephone, fax |
Promotes product/service |
|
2. |
Requests more information |
> Mail > Web > Telephone, fax |
Searches for answers |
|
3. |
Re-evaluates offer |
< Mail < Telephone, fax |
Provides information |
|
4. |
Negotiates terms |
< > Mail < > Telephone, fax |
Negotiates terms |
|
5. |
Orders product/service |
> Mail > Web > Telephone, fax |
Accepts the order |
|
6. |
Receives bill |
< Mail < Web < Telephone, fax |
Requests payment |
|
7. |
Pays bill |
> Mail > Through bank > With credit card > Electronic transfer |
Receives payment |
|
8. |
Receives product/service |
< By mail < By surface/air < By electronic means |
Delivers product/service |
|
9. |
Receives after-sales service |
< In person < By telephone < By other means |
After-sales service |
Early in June, 2000, the United States Congress reached bipartisan agreement on the "Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act." which will make electronic contracts legally binding. Thus goods and services can be ordered and payments arranged electronically. This will increase the use of e-commerce. President Clinton signed the bill into law on June 30, 2000, and will take effect on October 1, 2000. .
Not all goods and services are suitable for delivery by electronic means. Today, text material, music, images, video programs and computer programs are delivered electronically. Many services, such as money transfers, some consulting services, legal advice, etc. can be delivered electronically. Other kinds of goods and services will be transmitted electronically in the future.
In one case an architect in Nebraska sold drawings of a log cabin to a person in Russia and then found a person in Estonia just across the border, who could build it. All by e-mail. Beat that as an example of global e-commerce!
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Last revised July 16, 2003.
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