Thursday, June 19, 2008

E-Commerce : Reduce cycle time, Improve employees’ empowerment and Facilitate customer support.

Reduce Cycle Time

Cycle Time is the amount of time between a customer placing and order and receiving the goods. Reducing cycle times can increase competitive advantage, decrease carrying costs , decrease shrinkage costs and improve cash flow. The need for Government organisations to transmit business information quickly is imperative in today's business environment. With business information exchange between Government organisations, electronic data can be sent and received 24 hours a day. Because electronic data exchange allows business to continue outside the normal business day, the turnaround time for a business transaction can be reduced from days to hours and, in some instances, to minutes.

One of the main advantages of integrating the Internet within the supply chain is the reduced product development cycletime. This means that customers receive their products in a more timely fashion, due to quicker order response. This in turn leads to maintainence of customer service levels and assists in solidifying the relationship with the customer.

Improve employees' empowerment

With e-commerce, now employees have the power to make decision concerning aspects in e-business. Most company have already come out with their own intranets that give employees chances to access to the internal corporate or government network. Besides, they are always updated with the details of its company existing and new products as well as company's activities. They can directly keep in touch with the customer responding to their requests and complaints. By letting them to have power in making decisions, they will be happy and indirectly make them feel contented and competent and even being loyal to their corporation. This will enhance the quality of their working life.

Today, people can easily order materials andreview the status of their orders over the Internet. In addition, the company eliminated redundant data entry, freeing two employees to focus on other tasks.

Facilitate customer support

Building and maintaining customer relationships is the key to success in e-commerce and, unless service is maintained, customer loss may result, more than offsetting any cost efficiencies due to introducing e-commerce technology. Since the core of e-commerce is information and communications, support for managing customer relationships is available to those who know how to use it.

By allowing customers to track delivery of parcels in real time, the Federal Express website keepscustomers in touch with the location of their goods and when they will arrive. Provision of this sortof information creates greater customer satisfaction and sense of control.


Automatic TellerMachines (ATM’s) are now well used by most bank customers, who, although some still expressfeelings about the lack of personal interaction with bank staff, generally would not want to return tothe old system of standing in a queue for personal service. They feel more in control of thetransaction process and can access their information any time.



Publishing Frequently AskedQuestions (FAQ’s) on a website saves customers time and money waiting on the phone for aresponse. They also allow the business to concentrate on generating more business rather thandealing with often simple issues.

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