E-Mail marketing is promoting your business by sending overt E-Mails and newsletters.

It
uses promotional letter clubbed with product and service details to deliver the business
message to audience. It is cost effective method to convey your message to highly targeted
visitors. Results of E-Mail marketing are quantifiable and measurable.
Types Of E-Mails
Transaction E-Mails
You get these mails after you are done with any transaction such as buying a product. They
confirm the business transaction with information such as cost per unit, number of units
bought, total cost, mode of payment, shipping details, delivery time, etc.
Newsletters
They include information to keep customers involved. They foster relationship with
customer.
Promotion E-Mails
They carry details of any promotional activity such as sale, new offers, etc.
E-Mail marketing being cost-efficient and measurable, needs strategic planning and creative
execution of campaign. You need to personalize message, deploy it, and analyze the results.

Types of Email Campaigns

There are a variety of email campaigns that can be used to interact with your target
audience. And here’s how you can optimize each type of email campaign:
Welcome emails
Newsletter
Promotional emails
Abandonment cart emails
Re-engagement campaign
Sponsorship Emails
Welcome Emails
According to Campaign Monitor, a lot of recent studies have shown that welcome emails
have an average read rate of 34%
Welcome mails encourage new subscribers to engage with your products and services
How to Optimize?
Send your welcome email immediately after the sign-up process of the user
It should be informative, clear and actionable
Optimize subject lines and email content
Keep messages short and clear
Use relevant CTA
An example of an optimized welcome email is shown below:

Newsletters
With email newsletters, the audience are connected and informed about the product
updates
This is a very significant way of educating your audience and prospects about your business
OPTAMIZE
Try to reduce text and provide visually interesting campaigns
Stack your email content and optimize CTA
Create an interesting header
Share a variety of content (like videos, articles, eBooks, podcasts, webinars) with your
readers
Follow a consistent schedule for sending emails
Below is an example of a newsletter:
Promotional Emails
According to convince and convert, 68% of Millennials have confirmed that Promotional
Emails have influenced their purchase decisions.
These emails drive revenue by sending special offers
Its objective is to make a conversion
Optimization
Ensure to personalize your campaigns
Engage your customers by including limited time offers
Send offer emails on holidays for high engagement rate
Below is an example of a promotional email:
Abandonment Cart Emails
Abandonment emails are shared with clients who have kept products on their cart but did
not complete the checkout process
It is an effective way to improve sales
How to Optimize?
Use a simple abandoned cart email template
Personalize your abandoned-cart recovery emails
Adding a product image in your email remainder can result in high click-through rate
Send a series of email reminders to your clients.
Below is an example of abandonment cart email:

Re-Engagement Campaign
It is a practice of sending series of emails to inactive email subscribers
It leads to high user engagement rate and maintains a high IPR (Inbox Placement Ratio)
OPTAMIZATION
Opt for gamification to win back inactive subscribers
Prefer subject lines like "We have been waiting for your response" or "We have got a special
offer for you."
Conduct a poll or quiz to re-engage with your subscribers
Below is an example of a re-engagement campaign:

Sponsorship Emails
These emails let you advertise your copy in another vendor's newsletter
In simple terms, it is a way to reach a different audience and gain new leads through display
ads via emails
OPTAMIZATION
Choose the right promotional partner
Use only one primary CTA whereas offering multiple deals to the audience can be confusing
Always clearly define your objectives
Leverage social media platforms in order to maximize the reach of your campaign
Setting Up an E-Mail Marketing Campaign
These are the general steps taken to set up an E-Mail marketing campaign.

 Create a database of customers. You can buy it or can generate from your website
backend. Embed the customer details such as contact information, client status, lead
source, etc.
 Create a newsletter. Put in the relevant information they may need. Set the subject
line timings and frequency. Add discounts and bonus you offer.
 Make it look eye-catchy, informational, and useful.
 Mention deal expiry date and time.
 Drop a link in email if necessary.
 Buy servers capable enough to bear the load.
 Test you email before you send it. Check all details, images, and links.
 Deploy your newsletter.
 Analyze the performance of E-mail advertise. For example, E-mail delivery rate, email
opening rate, conversions etc.
 Tracking an E-Mail Marketing Campaign

The essential metrics you should be tracking for E-Mail campaign are −
Click Through Rate
It gives you clear view of how many people engage with your mail and are interested in what
you offer.
Conversion Rate
It helps you know, to what extent you are able to achieve your goals.
Bounce Rate
It lets you know how many consider you as a spammer of worth time wasting.
Subscribers’ Growth Rate
It lets you decide how much you are able to extend your reach.
Email Forwarding Rate
The more is the rate the more interested are your customers.
Overall ROI
The gist of tracking is how many leads you are able to generate through your campaigns.

AFFILIATE PROGRAMS(affiliate marketing)

Affiliate marketing is an advertising model in which a company pays a small commission to
any individual for advertising their product and service to generate sales.
These individuals are usually termed as “Affiliates.” The affiliates place ads/ refer/ market the
products and services on their website, app, or blog to generate sales.
Affiliate marketing is the method of earning a commission by advertising another
person’s/company product. It is kind of similar to a salesperson who earns incentives for
each sale. The only difference would be that you don’t work for the company.

Affiliate Marketing – MODUS OPERANDI

Participants in Affiliate Marketing
Merchant – The seller, retailer, brand, or vendor who creates the actual product. These
merchants can be from solo entrepreneurs to any start-up to any Fortune 500 company. The
merchants sometimes are not actively involved in the affiliate marketing program.
The Affiliate Marketers – Affiliates or publishers may range from single individuals to entire
companies. An affiliate basically advertises products and services to attract potential
customers to purchase the product/service.
The Consumer – As we know, “Consumer is the King.” It holds true in the Affiliate marketing
setup as well. Ultimately it is the purchase by the consumer that runs the entire affiliate
marketing program. The affiliates try to place the products in the right set of target
consumers so that they may end up buying. Sales would only lead to commissions.
Affiliate Networks – These affiliate networks are typically the website and platforms that
bridge the gap between the merchant and affiliates. The merchants can list their products
and services in these networks, and affiliates may choose any product or service that they
are interested in promoting. The affiliate network possesses the catalog or database of
numerous products. This database makes it easier for the affiliates to choose the right
product they want to promote.
Reasons to spend on Affiliate Marketing:
1. Access to Broader Market
2. Low-cost advertising
3. Less Risk –Less ongoing cost
4. Right choice of Traffic
5. Flexibility
6. High Return on Investment
Types of Affiliate Marketing
According to Statistica, “84% of Publishers and 81% of Advertisers in the United States have
turned to Affiliate marketing”. Affiliate Marketing Campaigns have grown massively as a low-
cost form of digital marketing in the past few years. The associated companies do not create
any marketing campaign house. Rather, the company’s products are advertised by successful
affiliates through various marketing mediums like blogs, video content, podcast, etc. There
are three main types of Affiliate Marketing Model.
Advertising models
Related Affiliate Marketing – This advertising model involves the promotion of a product or
service that lies in the niche of the affiliate. The affiliate possesses enough expertise and
influence to generate traffic. The level of authority that the affiliate possesses is treated as a
trusted and reliable source. The affiliate, however, doesn’t claim the use of the
product/service. For instance, in a blog that talks about “How to pay IT returns online,” you
may observe advertisements from various financial institutions that offer investments to
reduce the Income Tax under various sections.
Involved Affiliate Marketing – In this advertising model, there is a genuine and deep
connection between the affiliate and the product/service they are promoting. Here, the
affiliate showcase confidence and the positive experience after using the product/service.
Their experiences serve as a reliable source of information. For instance, a solo traveler
influencer who is very active on Instagram posts about her recent visit to Kashmir along with
updates and reels. She also keeps posts about the places where she stayed acts as a reliable
piece for information for other such solo travelers. She acted as an affiliate for her audience
as well as the hotels/hostels where she stayed during her visit.
Unattached Affiliate Marketing – In this advertising model, the affiliate has no connection
with the product or service they are promoting. The affiliates sometimes have less or no
related skills or expertise in the genre of the product. Here, the affiliate publishes the ads
that promote the seller’s product. For instance, if you visit any portal that offers you to buy
cosmetics online and you observe an ad from an EdTech company along with a Real Estate
buyer. In this case, the cosmetic portal acts as an affiliate for both the EdTech company as
well as for the real estate company since they are using the cosmetic portal to promote their
businesses.
Best Affiliate Marketing Programs
In this segment, the best Affiliate Program that one can sign up and earn a steady income:
Amazon Affiliate Marketing – Amazon is one of the world’s major affiliate marketing
programs. The content creators, publishers, bloggers sign up for this program to have the
Amazon product/ services shared on their websites. They act as an affiliate and promote the
Amazon goods to their followers to receive compensation for the sales that are generated
from their sites. Amazon has strict rules for the type of sites that host promotions for them.
Amazon does not allow sites that contain replicated content, obscene or offensive content,
promote illegal acts of violence or any other content that is harmful to the public. Amazon
prefers websites that are active and have fresh content according to Amazon’s standards.
eBay Affiliate Marketing – eBay Partner Network is basically eBay’s affiliate marketing
program. The affiliate on eBay can earn a commission when a buyer bids on/purchase any
product within 24 hours of clicking the eBay purchase links on the affiliate’s site. If the buyer
wins the auction for any submitted bids within 10 days of the bid, the commission is paid to
the affiliate. Commission rates range from 1% – to 4%, depending on the category of items
sold.
Etsy Affiliate Marketing – Etsy is a global marketplace for vintage goods and unique items.
Etsy promotes its items through various marketing channels, including affiliate marketing
partners. Affiliates should submit an online application in Etsy’s affiliate program portal to
apply. Affiliates should meet the criteria as specified by Etsy to become eligible marketing
partners – the age at least 18, possesses an active, unique website, and have a brand
identity. Once affiliates are approved, Etsy pays an amount as commission for the sales they
procure. The rates for commission may vary and are paid based on the order price. Etsy
possesses the right to terminate any agreement at any time for any reason. Etsy also holds
the right to withhold compensation amounts for any genuine reason.

E-CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT(e-CRM)

Definition
eCRM can be defined as activities to manage customer relationships by using the Internet,
web browsers or other electronic touch points.

 The eCRM or electronic customer relationship management coined by Oscar Gomes

encompasses all standard CRM functions with the use of the net environment i.e.,
intranet, extranet and internet.
 Electronic CRM concerns all forms of managing relationships with customers through
the use of information technology (IT).
 eCRM processes include data collection, data aggregation, and customer interaction.
Compared to traditional CRM, the integrated information for eCRM
intraorganizational collaboration can be more
ESSENCE OF CRM
Loyal customers can not only give operational companies sustained revenue but also
advertise for new marketers. To reinforce the reliance of customers and create additional
customer sources, firms utilize CRM to maintain the relationship as the general two
categories B2B (business-to-business) and B2C (business-to-customer or business-to-
consumer)
Differences between CRM and eCRM:
Customer contacts
CRM – Contact with customer made through the retail store, phone, and fax.
eCRM – All of the traditional methods are used in addition to Internet, email, wireless, and
PDA technologies.
System interface
CRM – Implements the use of ERP systems, emphasis is on the back-end.
eCRM – Geared more toward front end, which interacts with the back-end through use of
ERP systems, data warehouses, and data marts.
System overhead (client computers)
CRM – The client must download various applications to view the web-enabled applications.
They would have to be rewritten for different platform.
eCRM – Does not have these requirements because the client uses the browse
Customization and personalization of information
CRM – Views differ based on the audience, and personalized views are not available.
Individual personalization requires program changes.
eCRM – Personalized individual views based on purchase history and preferences. Individual
has ability to customize view.
System focus
CRM – System (created for internal use) designed based on job function and products. Web
applications designed for a single department or business unit.
eCRM – System (created for external use) designed based on customer needs. Web
application designed for enterprise-wide use
System maintenance and modification
CRM – More time involved in implementation and maintenance is more expensive because
the system exists at different locations and on various servers.
eCRM – Reduction in time and cost. Implementation and maintenance can take place at of
location and on one server

Objectives of E-CRM
 As the Internet is becoming more and more important in business life, many
companies consider it as an opportunity to reduce customer-service costs, tighten
customer relationships
 E- CRM personalize marketing messages and enable mass customization.
 ECRM is being adopted by companies because it increases customer loyalty and
customer retention by improving customer satisfaction
 E-loyalty results in long-term profits for online retailers because they incur less costs
of recruiting new customers, plus they have an increase in customer retention.
 Together with the creation of sales force automation (SFA), where electronic
methods were used to gather data and analyze customer information, the trend of
the upcoming Internet can be seen as the foundation of eCRM . (Nenad Jukic et al.,
200)
As we implement eCRM process, there are three steps life cycle:
1. Data collection: About customers preference information for actively (answer
knowledge) andpassively (surfing record) ways via website, email, questionnaire
2. Data aggregation: Filter and analysis for firm's specific needs to fulfill their
customers.
3. Customer interaction: According to customer's need, company provide the proper
feedback to them
 Strategy components[When enterprises integrate their customer information, there are
three eCRM strategy components:
1. Operational: Because of sharing information, the processes in business should
make customer's need as first and seamlessly implement. This avoids multiple
times to bother customers and redundant process
2. Analytical: Analysis helps company maintain a long-term relationship with
customers.
3. Collaborative: Due to improved communication technology, different
departments in company implement (intraorganizational) or work with business
partners (interorganizational) more efficiently by sharing information. (Nenad
Jukic et al., 2003

Electronic Data Interchange

EDI DEFINITION
EDI, which stands for Electronic Data Interchange, can be defined as the exchange of
information between computers in a standardized format either within an organization or
between two business partners.
 EDI is a standardized method for transferring data between different computer systems or
computer networks. It is commonly used for e-commerce purposes, such as sending orders
to warehouses, tracking shipments, and creating invoices.
 EDI makes it easy way for online retailors to transfer order information to
the locations where the goods are stored as they do not physically stock
 Some common EDI formats include X12 (U.S.), TRADACOMS (U.K.), and
EDIFACT (International).
 EDI is a fast, reliable, and accurate system for exchanging business
documents with external entities that do business together.
EDI Benefits
EDI implementation has many advantages, many of which may seem obvious.
Cost :Electronic exchange of information is much cheaper than traditional paper documents.
In fact, one study has shown that a purchase order using paper can cost $70 or more to
process. The same order costs less than a $1 to process using EDI.
Reliability :
Electronic processing also reduces human errors, which can extend the time of processing
an order and cost you money.
Speed :
Digital documents can also be processed much faster. For instance, paper orders can take up
to 10 days from start to finish, while EDI can take as little as one day.
Automation :
By automating the ordering process, EDI can greatly minimize the manual human power
required, saving a business time and money.
Lower operating costs :
EDI lowers your operating expenditure by at least 35% by eliminating the costs of paper,
printing, reproduction, storage, filing, postage, and document retrieval. It drastically reduces
administrative, resource and maintenance costs.
Improve business cycle speeds
Time is of the essence when it comes to order processing. EDI speeds up business cycles by
61% because it allows for process automation that significantly reduce, if not eliminate, time
delays associated with manual processing that requires you to enter, file, and compare data.
Inventories management is streamlined and made more efficient with real-time data
updates.
Reduce human error and improve record accuracy
Aside from their inefficiency, manual processes are also highly prone to error, often resulting
from illegible handwriting, keying and re-keying errors, and incorrect document handling.
EDI drastically improves an organization’s data quality and eliminates the need to re-work
orders by delivering at least a 30% to 40% reduction in transactions with errors. Increase
business efficiency
Because human error is minimized, organizations can benefit from increased levels of
efficiency. Rather than focusing on menial and tedious activities, employees can devote their
attention to more important value-adding tasks.
Enhance transaction security
EDI enhances the security of transactions by securely sharing data across a wide
variety of communications protocols and security standards.
Paperless and environmentally friendly
The migration from paper-based to electronic transactions reduces CO2 emissions,
promoting corporate social responsibility.

Limitations of EDI
Perceived high upfront costs
It is true that EDI used to require substantial upfront investment has been a barrier in the
past, especially for smaller businesses. However, like most technologies, EDI has become less
expensive over time.
Initial setup is time consuming
 Not only has EDI become less expensive, it has also become faster to deploy and integrate
into existing applications and easier to use with WebEDI options that even non-technical
users can operate.
Too many standards
Many organizations also consider EDI to have too many standards and versions. This could
limit smaller businesses in trading with larger organizations that use an updated version of a
document standard.
Investing in system protection
EDI may also require a heavy investment in computer networks. It will need protection from
viruses, hacking, malware and other cyber security threats if an on-premises system is
chosen. However, many providers offer a cloud solution which includes system protection.
Cost of Implementation.
is true that EDI provides massive cost savings benefits but for small businesses re- designing
and implementing software applications to fit in EDI into current applications can be quite
costly. Such limitations of EDI must be considered if you plan on implementing such system.
Electronic System Safety
EDI also necessitates substantial investment in computer networks and security systems for
maximum security. Any EDI system installed would require protection from hacking,
malware, viruses, and other cybersecurity threats.

E -GOVERNANCE

 Electronic Governance or E-Governance is the application of Information and

Communication Technology (ICT) for providing government services, interchange of
statistics, communication proceedings, and integration of various independent systems and
services.
 Through the means of e-governance, government services are made available to citizens in a
suitable, systematic, and transparent mode. The three main selected groups that can be
discriminated against in governance concepts are government, common people, and
business groups.
 E-governance is the best utilization of information and communication technologies to
mutate and upgrade the coherence, productivity, efficacy, transparency, and liability of
informational and transnational interchanges within government, between government
agencies at different levels, citizens & businesses.
 E-Governance gives authorization to citizens through access and use of information.
Generally, E-governance uses information and communication technologies at various levels
of the government and the public sector to enhance governance.

Elements of E-Governance:
 Basic elements of e-governance are:
 Government
 Citizens
 Investors/Businesses

Types of E-Governance:

E-governance is of 4 types:
Government-to-Citizen (G2C): The Government-to-citizen mentions the government
services that are acquired by the familiar people. Most of the government services come
under G2C. Similarly, the primary aim of Government-to-citizen is to supply facilities to the
citizens. It also helps ordinary people to minimize the time and cost to carry out a
transaction. A citizen can retrieve the facilities anytime from anywhere. Similarly, spending
the administrative fee online is also possible due to G2C. The facility of Government-to-
Citizen allows the ordinary citizen to outclass time limitations. It also focuses on geographic
land barriers.
Government-to-business (G2B): Government-to-business is the interchange of services
between Government and Business firms. It is productive for both government and business
firms. G2B provides access to pertinent forms needed to observe. It also contains many
services interchanged between business sectors and government. Similarly, Government-to-
business provides timely business information. A business organization can have easy and
easy online access to government agencies. G2B plays an important role in business
development. It upgrades the efficiency and quality of communication and transparency of
government projects.
Government-to-Government (G2G): The Government-to-Government mentions the
interaction between different government departments, firms, and agencies. This increases
the efficiency of government processes. In G2G, government agencies can share the same
database using online communication. The government departments can work together.
This service can increase international discretion and relations. G2G services can be at the
local level or at the international level. It can convey to both global government and local
government. It also provides a safe and secure inter-relationship between domestic and
foreign governments. G2G builds a universal database for all members to upgrade service.
Government-to-Employee (G2E): The Government-to-Employee is the internal part of G2G
section. It aims to bring employees together and improvise knowledge sharing. It provides
online facilities to the employees. Similarly, applying for leave, reviewing salary payment
record and checking the balance of holiday. The G2E sector yields human resource training
and development. So, G2E is also the correlation between employees and government
institutions.
Advantages of E-Governance:
 The supreme goal of e-governance is to be able to provide an increased portfolio of public
services to citizens in a systematic and cost effective way. It allows for government
 transparency because it allows the public to be informed about what the government is
working on as well as the policies they are trying to implement.
 The main advantage while executing electronic government will be to enhance the efficiency
of the current system.
 Another advantage is that it increases transparency in the administration, reduces costs,
increases revenue growth, and also improves relationships between the public and the civic
authorities.

Disadvantages of E-Governance:
The main disadvantage regarding e-governance is the absence of fairness in public access to
the internet, of trustworthy information on the web, and disguised agendas of government
groups that could have an impact and could bias public opinions.
DELIVERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Delivery management is the action of deploying efficient logistics processes, powered by
digital tools, to ensure that goods are effectively and efficiently moved from one place to
another until it reaches the end-customer.

 Efficient delivery management involves the automation of tasks, reduction in human errors,
improvement in customer service and streamlining of warehouse and delivery operations.
Automation of the chain of delivery processes through software can improve order
fulfillment efficiency, ensuring customer satisfaction and increased productivity.
 e-Business and Disruptive technologies have drastically changed the way customers behave
and this directly impacts demand patterns, consumer expectations, delivery turnaround-
time and the way brands execute order fulfillment. Automated core delivery processes are
the key to improving customer retention and boosting profitability.

 By implementing software-as-a-service (SaaS), software delivery model companies can

automate tasks that are manual and repetitive, thus saving time and cost. This software can
help companies achieve paperless delivery transactions and help reduce their carbon
footprint.

 Determining the shortest yet safest route for delivery, ensuring real-time visibility of fleet
movement and enhancing customer communication with timely updates delivery progress
can make the delivery process highly effective.

 By integrating new technologies with existing logistics architecture, companies can mitigate
risks, create more effective operations and manage costs.

Key Delivery Management KPIs

Key performance indicators (KPIs) help assess the quality of delivery services. KPIs are
essential for any business improvement strategy.
KPIs define the metrics to monitor various operational aspects of a delivery chain and enable
companies to implement changes resulting in better overall results.

Here are some important KPIs:

1. Route efficiency
Route efficiency is the process of determining the most cost-efficient and productive route.
It is not as simple as just finding the shortest path between two points. It needs to include all
relevant factors like the number of stops possible in the delivery route, delivery windows,
vehicle capacity, driver schedules and even traffic patterns to suggest the optimal route for
delivery. Route efficiency helps in timely deliveries and improves revenue generation.

2. Fleet productivity
Fleet productivity is used to measure the performance of the fleet. It involves metrics like
driver behavior, vehicle maintenance, compliance, fuel usage, measure service hours, total
usage and idle hours of fleets. It helps to improve the efficiency of the fleet, maintenance,
and control costs.

3. SLA and on-time in-full adherence

A service-level agreement (SLA) is a contract between a delivery service provider and a
customer that specifies, in measurable terms, the objective and KPI a delivery service
provider will achieve. Digital delivery administration tools ensure SLAs are efficiently
followed and alerts are triggered in case of any unprecedented inefficiencies. On time-in-full
(OTIF) adherence is a critical aspect of SLAs that businesses need to keep an eye on as it
directly impacts customer survival quality.

4. Identifying delayed deliveries

Accurately identifying delivery delays help delivery stakeholders to evaluate the reasons and
narrow-down on areas that are extending delivery timelines. It offers insights into the
effectiveness and efficiency of the planned delivery routes. Mechanical or hardware faults
and errors during inventory pickup and packing are some of the most common reasons why
on-time deliveries falter. This metric may be expanded to indicate the percentage of what
types of items were delayed, the value and how late the delivery was.

5. 3PL performance
When companies outsource delivery service to third-party logistics providers (3PLs), the
efficiency gains come with a loss of direct involvement. Monitoring the performance of
chosen 3PL based on metrics like on-time shipping percentage, shipping accuracy, order
accuracy, order time-to-fill and cost per unit shipped can help to check their efficiency.
6. Estimated Time of Arrivals (ETAs)
Route optimization tools can accurately generate estimated arrival times (ETAs) that can be
used for internal and customer communication purposes. Dependable ETA takes multiple
parameters into account to predict arrival time. ETA is calculated based on data histories,
which are far more detailed in terms of vehicle characteristics, road network variables, traffic
conditions, accidents, and unforeseen events.

Advantages of Efficient Delivery Management

The rise of an on-demand economy is constantly reshaping the way deliveries are being
made. Effective and reliable delivery software can help to redesign operations and eliminate
redundant processes. Last-mile delivery success is the hardest part of any business. Last-mile
delivery software facilitates enhanced operational management, faster delivery, more
efficient routes and increased customer satisfaction. Last-mile delivery software improves
last-mile execution.

Using delivery technology to ensure effective delivery management includes these

advantages:

1. Delivery profitability
Delivery management software optimizes existing business models by using route
optimization systems, fleet management, implementing the latest technological innovations
and increasing fleet capacity utilization rates. Good delivery service is not just timely
delivery, but also about ensuring that goods are not damaged during delivery. Delivery
profitability can be achieved by auto-scheduling and automating repetitive tasks.

2. Better customer service

Delivery software makes it possible to keep customers constantly in the loop by sending
notifications throughout the process of delivery. Customers are also able to live-track their
orders and stay updated with delivery progress and delays.

3. Delivery productivity
Delivery service needs to be prompt to avoid unnecessary delays. Auto-scheduling. multi-
drop delivery route planning, intelligent order batching and real-time route optimization can
help eliminate manual dependencies and thereby achieve greater delivery productivity.

4. Faster delivery turnaround time

Software used for managing deliveries can analyze order history to study key elements like
order profiles, pick zones efficiency and the way products travel around the warehouse.
Software can also identify areas of inefficiency and look for opportunities to shorten delivery
turnaround time with more efficient processes.

5. Fuel efficiency
 Optimized route planning creates fuel efficiency. Delivery management can map out efficient
routes based on delivery urgency, customer proximity, driver availability, weather and traffic
conditions. Intelligent route planning can also reduce empty miles, thus saving on fuel
consumption.

6. Reduced CO2 footprint

Intelligent delivery management powered by digital logistics tools reduces fuel consumption
by eliminating route diversions and vehicle idling. It also reduces miles travelled per delivery
and reduces dependencies on paperwork by ensuring electronic documentation. All these
factors help businesses to generate a smaller carbon footprint.

7. Better compliance
Delivery software ensures that the due diligence and compliance required to deliver goods
are up to date and readily available. Effective management of global trade compliance is
critical in a global supply chain to accelerate the custom clearance and regulatory
compliance to destined countries. By leveraging information technology for improved
visibility and real-time information, better compliance can be attained at local-levels too.

 Advanced delivery management solutions and strategies empower brands to boost delivery
profitability, enhance customer experience, streamline logistics operations, optimize
transportations costs and drive competitive advantage.

 Delivery management helps in making on-time deliveries. It facilitates efficient route

planning and fleet management. It allows enterprises end-to-end visibility and better
management of orders along with the ability to automate repetitive processes. Delivery
management helps in streamlining supply chain operations

WEB AUCTIONS (Online Auctions)

A web auction/ online auction is an auction which is held over the internet. Online auctions
remove the physical limitations of traditional auctions such as geography, presence, time,
space and target much wider audience. Some of the major online auction sites on the
Internet are ebay, ubid,craigslist.
Advantages of Online auctions:
1. No fixed time constraint
2. Flexible time limits
3. No geographical limitations
4. Offers highly intensive social interactions
5. Includes a large numbers of sellers and bidders, which encourages a high-volume
online business
Disadvantages of Online auctions are:
1. Unlawful actions are also carried on in internet.
2. Sometimes there is delay in delivery of goods.
Types of online auctions:
1) English auctions: English auctions are where bids are announced by either an
auctioneer or by the bidders and winners pay what they bid to receive the object. The
common operational method of the format is that it is an ascending bid auction in which
bids are open for all to see.
2) Dutch auctions: Dutch auctions are the reverse of English auctions whereby the price
begins high and is methodically lowered until a buyer accepts the price.
3) First-price sealed-bid: First-price sealed-bid auctions are when a single bid is made
by all bidding parties and the single highest bidder wins, and pays what they bid. The main
difference between this and English auctions is that bids are not openly viewable or
announced as against to the competitive nature which is created by public bids.
4) Vickrey auction: A Vickrey auction, sometimes known as a second-price sealed-bid
auction, uses much the same principle as a first-price sealed bid The highest bidder and
winner will only pay what the second highest bidder had bid.
5) Reverse auction: Reverse auctions are where the roles of buyer and seller are
reversed Multiple sellers compete to obtain the buyer's business and prices typically
decrease over time as new offers are made.
6) Shill bidding: Placing fake bids that benefits the seller of the item is known as shill
bidding, This is a method often used in Online auctions. This is seen as an unlawful act as it
unethically raises the final price of the auction, so that the winning bidder pays more than
they should have.

VIRTUAL COMMUNITIES
A virtual community is a community of people sharing common interests, ideas, and feelings
over the internet or other collaborative networks. In a virtual community group of
individuals interact through specific social media, potentially crossing geographical and
political boundaries in order to pursue mutual interests or goals.
Types of virtual communities:
1) Internet message boards - An online message board is a forum where people can
discuss thoughts or ideas on various topics. Online message centres allow users to choose
which thread, or board of discussion, users would like to read or contribute to. A user will
start a discussion by making a post on a thread other users who choose to respond can
follow the discussion by adding their own post to that thread.
2) Online chat rooms - Just after the rise of interest in message boards and forums,
people started to want a way of communicating with their "communities" in real time. The
disadvantage to message boards was that people would have to wait until another user
replied to their posting. The development of online chat rooms allowed people to talk to
whoever was online at the same time they were. This way, messages were sent and online
users could immediately respond back.
3) Virtual worlds - Virtual worlds are the most interactive of all virtual community
forms. In this group of members form a online team and play games against other online
teams in certain games . Characters within the world can talk to one another and have
almost the same interactions people would have in reality. GameTZ.com is an online game,
music, movie, and book trading community.
4) Social network services - Social networking services are the most prominent type of
virtual community. They are either a website or software platform that focuses on creating
and maintaining relationships. Face book, Twitter, and Myspace are all virtual communities.
With these sites, one often creates a profile or account, and adds friends or follows friends.
Benefits of virtual community
1) More flexible or accessible 24 hours and 7 days any place anywhere as long as
internet connection.
2) Easy relevance: It gives a place to exchange a real life examples and experience.
3) Community building: Over time can develop into a supportive, stimulating
community which participants come to regard as the high point of their course.
4) Limitless: It can never predict where the discussion will go. The unexpected often
results in increased incidental learning.
5) Choice: A quick question or comment or a long reflective account is equally possible.
Limitation of virtual community:
1. Overloading information: A large volume of information and messages can be
overload and hard to follow, even stress-inducing.
2. No physical documents: Any physical documents to any conversation, without facial
expressions and gestures or the ability to retract immediately there's a big risk of
misunderstanding.
3. Directionless: Participants used to having a teacher or instructor telling them what to
do can find it a leaderless environment.
4. Inefficient: It takes longer than verbal conversation and so it's hard to reply to all the
points in a message, easily leaving questions unanswered.
5. Threads: Logical sequence of discussion is often broken by users not sticking to the
topic.

WEB PORTAL
A web portal is specially-designed Web page at a website which brings information together
from diverse sources in a uniform way. A Web portal refers to a Web site or service that
offers a broad array of resources and services, such as e-mail, forums, search engines, links
to other sites, and online shopping malls.
The first Web portals were online services, such as AOL, that provided access to the Web,
but by now most of the traditional search engines have transformed themselves into Web
portals to attract and keep a larger audience. Examples: AOL, Excite, Netvibes, iGoogle, MSN,
Naver, India times, Rediff, Sify and Yahoo!.
Types of Web Portals:
1) Vertical Portals
These are web portals which focus only on one specific industry, domain or vertical Vertical
portals provide tools, information, articles, research and statistics on the specific industry or
vertical. As the web has become a standard tool for business.
2) Horizontal Portals
These are web portals which focus on a wide array of interests and topics. They focus on
general audience and try to present something for everybody. Horizontal portals try act as
an entry point of a web surfer into the internet, providing content on the topic of interest
and guiding towards the right direction to fetch more related resources and information.

3) Enterprise Portals
These are portals developed and maintained for use by members of the intranet or the
enterprise network. The most common implementation of enterprise portals focus on
providing employees with this information on a regularly updated manner along with
document management system, availability of applications on demand, online training
courses and web casts etc along with communication in the form of emails, messaging, web
meetings etc.
4) Knowledge Portals
Knowledge portals increase the effectiveness of knowledge workers by providing easy access
to information that is necessary or helpful to them in one or more specific roles. Knowledge
portals are not mere intranet portals since the former are supposed to provide extra
functionality such as collaboration services, sophisticated information discovery services and
a knowledge map.
5) Corporate Portals
A corporate portal provides personalized access to an appropriate range of information
about a particular company. As opposed to public web portals, corporate portals aim at
providing a virtual workplace for each individual using them - executives, employees,
suppliers, customers, third-party service providers.
6) Market space portals
Market space portals exist to support the business-to-business and business-to-customer
ecommerce, software support for e-commerce transactions and ability to find and access
rich on information about the products on sale also, ability to participate in discussion
groups with other vendors and/or buyers
7) Search portals
Search portals aggregate results from several search engines into one page.