eBusiness Models Essay example -- Business and Management Studies

eBusiness Models The modern business world has evolved from the traditional brick and mortar to require companies to develop some form of eBusiness strategy into their business models. Ebusiness can be simply defined as the use of the internet to connect with customers, partners, and suppliers.(Darwinmag, 1) The advent of eBusiness has not only grown tradition businesses but has also paved the way a whole group of internet based companies that find the online environment as the primary market. There are various eBusiness models but this paper will focus on Business-2-Consumer, Consumer-2-Consumer, and eGovernment. These various models offer both businesses and consumers opportunities to interact that may not have existed before the internet. B2C – BMWUSA BMW is a well known luxury automobile manufacturer that prides itself on building â€Å"The Ultimate Driving Machine.† BMWUSA.com is the internet website that offers consumers a place to view current models, build and price vehicles, locate dealers, compare models to competitors, and other features that give the customer information about company and its products. The site is primarily used as an information tool for consumers to view the company’s model lineup and gather information on events such as car shows and charity events. The site does offer real-time inventory tracking for its Certified Pre-Owned vehicles but not for new model inventory. The potential buyer is able to view the current model lineup and go to build their specific vehicle. Once the specific vehicle is priced, the customer is offered the option to compare their vehicle to other BMWs or competitor vehicles. The customer is then directed to calculate financing options. The final step is sending the customer inquiry to local dealership via e-mail. There are several weaknesses with the current format as the prices calculated on the website are only MSRP and does not reflect actual dealer negotiated prices. Another drawback is that the customer web experience does not complete the buying process as the customer is required to go to the dealership to make the actual purchase. Customers are able to make orders via e-mail contact but actual pricing information is rarely given via this median. Once the consumer has actually ordered a vehicle from a dealership, they are then offered access to the â€Å"eli... ...ite benefit by retrieving accurate government information and documents in a single resource. The IRS benefits by reducing the volume of inquiries to the actual offices about the documents and other information that is available on the site. Summary All of these eBusiness models serve to inform and engage the target audience and provide an added level of efficiency to the business, seller, or agency. The provider of the internet site has a particular agenda whether to promote or inform and these site provide around the clock access to this information. The sites offer information on product offerings but also corporate or agency information like employment opportunities. In each case, the site serves to improve efficiencies within the firm to market their particular offerings. References: BMW Homepage, http://www.bmwusa.com , Retrieved November 15, 2004. Darwin Executive Guides, http://guide.darwinmag.com/technology/ebusiness/b2c/ , Retrieved November 15, 2004. Ebay, http://www.ebay.com . Retrieved November 16, 2004 IRS Homepage, http://www.irs.gov. Retrieved November 16, 2004. Rayport-Jawprski. (2003). Introduction to e-Commerce. McGraw-Hill..