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US06CCSC06 – E-Commerce Unit-1 Internet:
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US06CCSC06 – E-Commerce Unit-1 Internet: The Internet is the worldwide, publicly accessible network of interconnected computer networks that transmit data by packet switching using the standard Internet Protocol (IP). It is a "network of networks" that consists of millions of smaller domestic, academic, business, and government networks, which together carry various information and services, such as electronic mail, online chat, file transfer, and the interlinked Web pages and other documents of the World Wide Web.
Architecture of Internet :-- The Internet's architecture is described in its name, a short from of the compound word "inter-networking". This architecture is based in the very specification of the standard TCP/IP protocol, designed to connect any two networks which may be very different in internal hardware, software, and technical design. Once two networks are interconnected, communication with TCP/IP is enabled end-to-end, so that any node on the Internet has the near magical ability to communicate with any other no matter where they are. This openness of design has enabled the Internet architecture to grow to a global scale.
Architecture of Internet Cont… • The Internet system consists of a number of interconnected packet networks supporting communication among host computers using the Internet protocols. All Internet protocols use IP as the basic data transport mechanism. IP is a datagram, or connectionless, internet work service and includes provision for addressing, type-of-service specification, fragmentation and reassembly, and security.
Intranet: • A network based on TCP/IP protocols (an internet) belonging to an organization, usually a corporation, accessible only by the organization's members, employees, or others with authorization. An intranet's Web sites look and act just like any other Web sites, but the firewall surrounding an intranet fends off unauthorized access. • Like the Internet itself, intranets are used to share information. Secure intranets are now the fastest-growing segment of the Internet because they are much less expensive to build and manage than private networks based on proprietary protocols.
Architecture of Intranet :-- Intranet System Architecture : • Firewalls – hardware devices with special software that prevent unauthorized access • An intranet server is placed behind the firewall • Packets are never routed outside the firewall, but remain within the organizations network
Characteristics of Intranet :-- -- Below seven characteristics fundamental to a successful Intranet. • Communication– The intranet must support various communication channels, such as information from the management team concerning strategic aspects of their organisation or collaboration amongst project teams and departments. These formal and informal methods of communication are equally important. Therefore essential to have an in-depth look at the communication tools on offer. • Maintenance and Updating – It is inevitable that your intranet will require frequent updating and maintenance to ensure that the information provided is both relevant and accurate. Adding an image or changing content should not be a difficult process, nor should it be time-consuming. Surprisingly, many intranet systems require the help of technically skilled people to perform these tasks.
Analyzing your Intranet – You may not have time to monitor the entire intranet, and this may not be something that as a company you would be interested in. However knowing which documents are popular and what users are searching for provides you with an insightful window into future improvements. • Search – An effective search function is important in building and maintaining trust with the corporate intranet. Hopeless search queries which do not render anything helpful can be both frustrating and inefficient. 5. Business Processes- For some organizations the need for electronic forms and workflows on the intranet may not be immediately obvious. It is only when a breakdown in the ability to effectively and efficiently perform processes that an alternative is sought.
6. Access flexibility – Accessibility by either a laptop or desktop is no longer acceptable, as not all employees perform tasks and activities at their desks. Certain job roles require employees to visit clients, and regular off-site meetings are becoming more common. Therefore flexibility in accessing their intranet on mobile devices and tablets should facilitate and not compromise their ability to perform tasks on their intranet. 7. Online Workspace – It is important to think about the functions and daily tasks carried out by each department within your organization, as each department varies considerably in terms of what they need to successfully do their job.
Application of Intranet :-- • Document publication applications :-The first application that always comes to mind for intranets in and of themselves is the publication and distribution of documents. This application allows for paperless publication of any business information that is needed for internal employees or external customers or suppliers. Any type of document may be published on an intranet: policy and procedure manuals, employee benefits, software user guides, online help, training manuals, vacancy announcements--the list goes on to include any company documentation.
2. Electronic resources applications :--In the past it has not been easy to share electronic resources across network nodes. Employees have had problems sharing information for various reasons including software version inaccuracies and incompatibilities. Intranets provide the means to catalog resources online for easy deployment across the network to any authorized user with the click of a mouse. Software applications, templates, and tools are easily downloaded to any machine on the network.
3. Interactive communication applications :--Two-way communications and collaboration on projects, papers, and topics of interest become easy across the intranet. Types of communications that are enhanced and facilitated include e-mail, group document review, and use of groupware for developing new products. 4. Support for Internet applications :--Even though organizational full-service intranets are the next step in enterprise-wide computing and have enough value to make them desirable simply for the organizational benefits they bring, they are also necessary for supporting any Internet applications that are built.
Extranet: • An extranet is a private network that uses Internet technology and the public telecommunication system to securely share part of a business's information or operations with suppliers, vendors, partners, customers, or other businesses. An extranet can be viewed as part of a company's intranet that is extended to users outside the company. It has also been described as a "state of mind" in which the Internet is perceived as a way to do business with other companies as well as to sell products to customers.
An extranet requires security and privacy. These can include firewall server management, the issuance and use of digital certificates or similar means of user authentication, encryption of messages, and the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) that tunnel through the public network. Companies can use an extranet to: • Exchange large volumes of data using Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) • Share product catalogs exclusively with wholesalers or those "in the trade" • Collaborate with other companies on joint development efforts • Jointly develop and use training programs with other companies • Provide or access services provided by one company to a group of other companies, such as an online banking application managed by one company on behalf of affiliated banks
Architectures of Extranet :-- • Extranet System Architecture • Extranet • Connects two or more business partners • Like an intranet • Same software, hardware, and networking • Additional component: • Virtual Private Network (VPN) • Secure transmission of proprietary info
Application of Extranet :-- • An extranet application is a software data application that provides limited access to your company's internal data by outside users such as customers and suppliers. The limited access typically includes the ability to order products and services, check order status, request customer service and much more. • A properly developed extranet application provides the supply chain connection needed with customers and suppliers to dramatically lessen routine and time consuming communications. Doing so frees up resources to concentrate on customer service and expansion as opposed to administrative office tasks such as data entry.
Just as intranets provide increased internal collaboration, extranets provide increased efficiencies between your company and its customers and/or suppliers. Developing and implementing an extranet application can provide you the competitive edge to stay ahead of the competition in the eyes of your customers and a better ability to negotiate prices with your suppliers. • Extranet Applications :-- - Supply-chain management - Customer communications - Distributor promotions - Online continuing education/training - Customer service - Order status inquiry - Inventory inquiry - Account status inquiry - Warranty registration - Claims - Online discussion forums
EXTRANET CHARACTERISTICS :-- 1. Information Sharing :-- Sharing information is an important feature of an extranet. Different types of industries find that this streamlines work and increases productivity. For example, a large building project usually involves several companies. The project management company can put all the relevant project documents on its extranet so that the other partners can access them. This ensures that each business has equal access to information -- and cuts down on printing and circulating documents to all the parties. Manufacturing businesses are another example. They can put technical specifications for parts suppliers on an extranet, which a supplier can easily and quickly check.
2. Access to Information :-- However, an extranet doesn't just allow a company's business partners access to its data, it provides a system for its employees to access the intranet when they are out of the office, or in satellite offices in other parts of the world. The extranet also allows employees within the company access to the Internet when at work. The business usually has firewalls and other security measures installed; this prevents extranet use by employees and business partners breaching sensitive information on its intranet. 3. Consumer Applications :- Extranets provide retailers with an opportunity to enhance the customer experience through online customer-service tools. Online customers can log in to an account on a website and track their order, as well as find product recommendations tailored to the customer's previous purchases. An extranet also provides a communication point for the customer to make inquiries, or a complaint. Public organizations, such as the Internal Revenue Service, use an extranet to allow the submission of tax forms over the Internet.
Benefits of the intranet (extra):-- (cont.) • Existence of virtual organization • Completes the transaction process • Paperless environment
