Focus on Specific Business Processes

The revenue model grouping of business processes, companies think of the
rest of their operations as specific business processes. Those processes include purchasing
raw materials or goods for resale, converting materials and labor into finished goods,
managing transportation and logistics, hiring and training employees, managing the
finances of the business, and many other activities.
An important function of this book is to help you learn how to identify those business
processes that firms can accomplish more effectively by using electronic commerce
technologies. In some cases, business processes use traditional commerce activities very
effectively, and technology cannot improve them. Products that buyers prefer to touch,
smell, or examine closely can be difficult to sell using electronic commerce. For example,
customers might be reluctant to buy items such as high-fashion clothing or antique jewelry
if they cannot closely examine the products before agreeing to
purchase them.
You learn how to use Internet technologies to improve existing business
processes and identify new business opportunities. An important aspect of electronic
commerce is that firms can use it to help them adapt to change. The business world
is changing more rapidly than ever before. Although much of this book is devoted to
explaining technologies/.