N-GEN Communications Web-based Seminars ©NGCS

Seminar - An Overview of Communications Technologies

Module 6 - Internet, Intranet, Extranet, e-Commerce and Web Services                                      Slide 40 of 70 _________________                                                                                  __________

                                              What is an e-Catalog?

                                    Means for Corporations to Provide Information

                                    Products and Services Information

                                    Major e-Catalog Features

                                    e-Catalog Functionalities

_________________                                                                                  __________

An e-Catalog is a critical component of e-Commerce. Electronic Catalogs are virtual equivalents to traditional catalogs from Sears and other retail companies. Electronic catalogs contain written descriptions and photos of products along with information about various promotions, discounts, payment methods and methods of delivery. Many vendors provide tools to set-up e-catalogs. The best known products are Commerce Suite from iCat Corporation and Commerce Server from Microsoft.

e-Catalog Features - Commonly included features are:
    1.    Templates and wizards for creating a storefront and catalog pages with pictures, graphics
           and text describing items for sale
    2.    Electronic Shopping carts to gather items of interest until consumer is ready to check out.
    3.    Web-based order forms for secure purchasing ( using SSL or SET protocols)
    4.    A database including product descriptions, pricing, and customer orders
    5.    Third party software for calculating taxes and shipping costs and for handling distribution
           fulfillment
The e-Catalogs provide capability to dynamically update prices, packaging and channeling of the products. It is a two-way communication channel between consumers and businesses in real-time.

Electronic catalog and Merchant Server software include features that make it simple and inexpensive to set up a catalog operation where pricing and product configurations are not too complex.

e-Catalog Functionalities - include:
    - Contents refer to the extent of information regarding products, pricing, detailed descriptions and connecting
      to other resources (hyper-text documents) included in the catalog
    - Presentation entails layout and use of communicating media such as text, audio, video and animation
    - Back-end Processing entails level of integration of company's databases and financial systems with the
      catalog
    - Front-End User Services include intelligent search, on-line ordering, on-line payment, on-line testing of
      products and on-line customer service capabilities.
    - User Behavior Tracking includes items viewed, products purchased, customer demographics for customer
      care and provision of customized services ( like Amazon - welcoming customers by their name and making
      reference to their preferences and suggestions for them to purchase new products)