Major Electronic Commerce(EC) Mechanisms

The major mechanisms for buying and selling on the Internet are electronic catalogs,
electronic auctions, and online bartering.

Electronic Catalogs

Catalogs have been printed on paper for generations. Recently, electronic catalogs
on CD-ROM and the Internet have gained popularity. Electronic catalogs
consist of a product database, directory and search capabilities, and a presentation function. They are the backbone of most e-commerce sites. For merchants, the
objective of electronic catalogs is to advertise and promote products and services.
For the customer, the purpose of such catalogs is to provide a source of
information on products and services.
Electronic catalogs can be classified according to three dimensions:
1. The dynamics of the information presentation. Catalogs can be static or dynamic.
Static catalogs present information in text and static pictures. Dynamic
catalogs present information in motion pictures or animation, possibly with
supplemental sound.
2. The degree of customization. Catalogs can be standard or customized. In
standard catalogs, merchants offer the same catalog to any customer. Customized
catalogs tailor content, pricing, and displays to the characteristics of specific
customers.
3. The degree of integration with other business processes or features. Catalogs
can be classified according to the degree of integration with the following
business processes or features: order taking and fulfillment; electronic payment
systems; intranet workflow software and systems; inventory and accounting
systems; and suppliers’ or customers’ extranet. For example, when
you place an order with Amazon.com, your order will be automatically
transferred to a computerized inventory check.