Question

Assume that you want to start an e-Commerce business and have decided to have your own e-Commerce infrastructure (not using commercial services). Explain in detail all the hardware, software, tools, skills, personnel, etc. that is required to have your own e-Commerce infrastructure

Answer 1

E-commerce has changed how people sell and purchase. It offers people to buy without visiting a real store. Having a good infrastructure helps the business to run efficiently. To have our own e-commerce infrastructure needed is:

• Web tools: Web tools range from HTML text editors, CMS( content management system) with in-built frameworks and debugging tools.HTML files are created by dream weaver along with Cascading style sheet.This helps to improve the site appearance. Visualstudio.net is also a web tool which helps to make integrated databases.
• Hardware: Hard ware required for starting an e-commerce business are external hard drive, network server solution, wireless router, desktop or laptop. A good laptop or multi-user work stations is required to start an e-commerce business.To stay organized a good quality external hard drive is required to store important information. External drive also protects valuable ad sensitive information from getting lost on happening of any uncertainty. A network server is also required to be set up depending on storage, security required or any backup. A high quality high speed wireless connection is required so as to link all the computers and mobile devices.
• Software: Software are the backbone of a e-commerce business. The software should be such that which has a centralized database, it should have seamless integration with other software ,should automatically analyze customers browsing pattern, should use the intelligence oi improve sales. The software should be analyze the patter of the buyers and provide a comprehensive report.
• Skills:In case the e-commerce business does not have proper skills it won't be able to survive. A good experience with social media, web development, etc can help to have a successful business. Basic skills required for this are

a)User experience design: A great and attractive website design is very important part of e-commerce business.

b) Website design: A good and attractive web design attract a lot of people. Web design should be such that which is easy to muse and understand by everyone so that the website can be used by more and more people.

c) Data analysis and Analytics: Data analysis proves to be very handy for e-commerce business. It helps to analyze data for decision making.

d) Data collection: This skill requires to fetch data from all the software package used by the business, for example email reports, sales data, order management.

• Inventory: a decent size inventory is required so as to meet the demand in less time.
• Barcodes: These days sellers to legally sell a product is required to have a barcode. A separate barcode is required for all the products for each combination of features of the product.
• Personnel: This also is very important requirement for e-commerce business.

1. Web developer: he should be able to customize the frontend and backend alterations in functionality.
2. Director of e-commerce: he is responsible for all the operations. He is responsible to see whether all the others are doing their jobs. He is in charge od buying, selling,contracts, strategic decision, generating P&L statement, etc.
3. IT Technician: He helps organization to use digital infrastructure.His work is to link information with inventory and logistic team. He is also responsible for data storage and security.
4. Inventory manager: The main responsibility allocated to him to keep a track on inventory and to make sure that information from the digital operations manager matches the physical product in storage.
5. Marketing manager:His main area of focus is content creation,SEO,SEM. A proper coordination is required between the marketing manager and web developer.
6. Finance and accounting:This is same as in other types of business platform. In e-commerce this is mostly outsourced to a third party. They help the management in budgeting,market speculation and P&L reporting.
7. Business analyst: They help business to take decision on growing business,etc.