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Electronic
commerce offers many benefits and may very well hold the
key to future success in an increasingly global
marketplace; however, it is not without formidable
obstacles that must be overcome before it gains
wide-spread acceptance. Nevertheless, a number of
innovative organizations have found ways to engage in
electronic commerce – apart from the Internet -- by
putting information technology to work today in
purchasing.
Ashrafcom plans by
developing its e-cash system to avail this opportunity for
companies operating in Sudan or targeting Sudanese
markets.
Electronic Commerce
Defined n
With all of
the media coverage that it is receiving, when most people
speak of electronic commerce, they are referring to the
use of the Internet. Additionally, they naturally tend to
focus on the transactional aspect of commerce: the actual
consumer and business-to-business buying and selling.
Although there are notable exceptions, buying and selling
on the Internet is still predominantly a consumer
activity. There are, however, other elements to electronic
commerce -- many of which are "alive and well" both on the
Internet and on privately established networks:
Ashrafcom plans by
developing its e-cash system to avail this opportunity for
companies operating in Sudan or targeting Sudanese
markets.
Electronic
commerce holds many benefits for buyers and sellers alike:
Increased
Competition
Decreased
Administrative Burden
Lower
Operating Costs
Online Bidding
Opportunities
Bid Submission
Award Review
New Markets
Geography Less
of a Factor
Greater
Variety Through Expanded Markets
Faster Times
To Market
Reduced
Inventories Through Electronic Buyer/Seller Links
These benefits may
well be enjoyed by Sudanese ventures well before the end
of the year 2002.
Electronic Commerce
Obstacles
The baseline
survey resulting from study on the topic of Internet-based
electronic commerce identified the following as the most
significant obstacles:
-
Suppliers Not Online
-
Security
-
Lack of Payment Services
-
Lack of Purchasing Tools
-
Lack of Trained Purchasers
The good
news is that all are surmountable by using our system and
facilities. Security concerns will be addressed by the use
of purchasing cards with no risk whatever. |
