Electronic Commerce

eCommerce Software

MIS 6453 -- Spring 2006

Instructor: John Seydel, Ph.D.

Student ObjectivesList functions needed for all ecommerce websitesSummarize advanced features desired for ecommerce applicationsDiscuss the typical web server configurationsExplain the concept of enterprise integration and how it’s enabled through ecommerce softwareSummarize CRM and it’s importance to modern organizationsDiscuss how XML enables service-oriented architecturesUnderstand the basic ideas behind CMS and KMSDistinguish between static web pages and dynamic pagesDistinguish between server-side and client-side functionalityUse HTML to create bullet lists and simple forms on web pages

AgendaDiscussions of web server concepts and ecommerce software

Martin & Nguyen team (web servers, continued) Batten & Harper team (ecommerce software)

Additional comments Web server & related concepts eCommerce software

Some review questionsWeb page coding demonstrations and exercise

Simple forms exercise Dynamic pages

Server-side scripting Client-side scripting

As time permits: Review guidelines for HTML source code Bulleted lists in HTML

eCommerce Websites: What’s Needed

ServerSoftware

Basic Required for nearly all sites (see CyberWorld) Dynamic catalog / shopping cart Development/maintenance interface Database Payment processing

Advanced features: Enable integration at various levels Require middleware XML web services are the trend (more later)

These are available through Hosting by CSPs (package deals) Self-hosting

Pay more / get more

Recall The Typical Web Server Platforms

Scripting HTTP OS CPU

Microsoft

ASP IIS Windows Intel

LAMP PHP Apache Linux Intel

Sun JSP SunONE Solaris SPARC

First tier of multi-tier architecture: client browsersSecond tier: web servers

Third tier: DBMS; variety available

Database Management Systems

DBMS: software that permits the centralization, management, and access of organizational data

Data definition language Data manipulation language (SQL) Data dictionary

Provide the 3rd tier in a three tier systemThe major DBMS

Proprietary Microsoft: Access, SQL Server IBM: DB2 Oracle

Open source: MySQL, PostgreSQL

Most support a variety of 2nd tier platforms

CRMGoal: use customer info to sell more (or more profitable) goods/services; identify, acquire, and retain customersTracking

Which pages/files How much time per page Sequencing

Analytical activities Gathering business intelligence Planning marketing strategies Customer behavior modeling Customizing products/services

Major players: Siebel, MySAP, Oracle (eBusiness Suite)Example: SalesForce.com

Sales Force Automation (SFA) Customer Service & Support Marketing Automation Customer Analytics Document Management Custom Applications

A big issue: tradeoff between security and convenience

XML Web ServicesA couple of definitions:

Extend the idea of application server systems so that these programs can communicate across organizational boundaries

A combination of software tools that let application software in one organization communicate with other applications over a network

Benefits Improved customer service Reduce the cost of application integration

Requires: XML data feeds (Rolling Stone example) Standards: SOAP, UDDI, WSDL

Result: service-oriented architecturesMore at a later date . . .

Content & Knowledge Management

CMS Enable fresh content without continual direct updating

of web pages Allow content developers to upload material as it’s

available Represent the future or web development

Knowledge management: Store and make accessible all aspects of

organizational knowledge Memos Policies Reports Schedules Other . . .

Can work in conjunction with CMSMore on these also at a later date . . .

A Look at Dynamic versus Static Pages

Start the following Internet Explorer (open your SuSE1 site) SmartFTP NotePad

A static page:www.suse1.astate.edu/~flory/page2_proc.html

A dynamic version:www.suse1.astate.edu/~flory/page2.htmlwww.suse1.astate.edu/~flory/page2_proc.html

Exercises & demonstrations Forms exercise / server-side scripting demo Forms exercise / client-side scripting exercise & demo

Summary of ObjectivesList functions needed for all ecommerce websitesSummarize advanced features desired for ecommerce applicationsDiscuss the typical web server configurationsExplain the concept of enterprise integration and how it’s enabled through ecommerce softwareSummarize CRM and it’s importance to modern organizationsDiscuss how XML enables service-oriented architecturesUnderstand the basic ideas behind CMS and KMSDistinguish between static web pages and dynamic pagesDistinguish between server-side and client-side functionalityUse HTML to create bullet lists and simple forms on web pages

Appendix

eCommerce Software Features

Prerequisites: Database connectivity Dynamic pages/content Secure sockets

Basic features that can be incorporated: Shopping carts Credit card processing eMail notifications Order tracking Inventory management Statistical reporting

Advanced features: integration with other systems ERP SCM CRM (more later) CMS KMS

A Performance Comparison of Web Servers

Enterprise-Class eCommerce Architectures