What's in store for online shopping

Article Abstract:

Some retailers are starting to debate the future of electronic commerce despite the forecasts of its continued growth. Visa International recently forecast that global electronic commerce, including business-to-business transactions, would grow to more than $1 trillion annually by 2003. At the enormous Mall of America near Minneapolis, a number of retailers are establishing Web sites with the belief that online commerce is the future of retailing, while others are just upgrading the technology that already exists in their operations. The growing reports of customer dissatisfaction with online shopping include complaints that customers can not find the product they want, their credit cards are rejected, the shipping costs are way too high and their merchandise sometimes arrives late. Analysts believe that while the Internet has, and will continue to, change the way products are sold, certain types of business will continue to do best through the traditional distribution channels for the foreseeable future.

United States, Telegraph & other communications, Retail Trade, Video Retailing Service, All Other Information Services, Analysis, Usage, Evaluation, Retail industry, Marketing, Web sites (World Wide Web), Market trend/market analysis, Web sites, Electronic commerce, E-commerce, Online shopping, Home shopping, Consumer behavior, World Wide Web, Shopping centers

---

Some firms, let down by costly computers, opt to 'de-engineer'; with its software clashing, Chrysler chucks NeXT and rediscovers phones: memories of the robot craze

Article Abstract:

An increasing number of US corporations are abandoning cutting-edge computer systems that fall short of expectations or fail to perform. Standish Group International's 1996 survey reported that 42% of 360 companies halted their corporate-technology projects before completion, and that such technology costs US companies around $250 billion per year. Many of the problems stem from a quickly-shifting business landscape, a growing number of complex software offerings and technology boosters who promise unrealistic results. Larger and more expensive technology projects tend to fail more frequently, as evidenced by Pacific Gas & Electric's commissioning of IBM to develop a system that would handle tasks such as customer billing. PG&E will maintain its 1970s-era keyboard strokes and menus rather than point-and-click features. Companies are searching for the most efficient amount of technology for completing the job, avoiding unnecessary features that make unstable systems more complex.

Electronic computers, Electronic Computer Manufacturing, Small Business Computer Systems, Planning, Computer industry, Product information, Industry trend, Telecommunications systems, Corporations, MIS, Management information systems, Return on investment, User need, End users

---

Overseas calling: American firms send office work abroad to use cheaper labor; Ireland and other nations use phones, computer links; U.S. labor leaders worry; another blow for M.B.A.s

Article Abstract:

There is considerable movement of data processing and other office jobs from the United States to countries where wages are low, the people speak English and there are up-to-date telecommunications facilities. Ireland is an example: Cigna Corp has hired 120 Irish workers to process medical claims, for which the workers will get about $11,000 a year; and McGraw-Hill Data Services-Ireland has a staff of 40 women, together with about a dozen part-time workers, who maintain circulation files for 16 McGraw-Hill Inc magazines. Barbados, Jamaica, the Philippines and Singapore are other popular locations for 'outsourcing.' This trend - moving US jobs overseas - is only starting now, but analysts say the US is likely to lose many white-collar jobs in the future.

Economic aspects, Ireland, International aspects, Telecommunications, Automation, Social conditions, Outsourcing, Telecommunication, Electronic data processing, Data collection, Technological unemployment, Technology-Induced Unemployment, Economics of Computing, Social Issue

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Strategies for survival in fast-changing industries. Metrics for managing research and development in the context of the product family
• Abstracts: Virtual reality' isn't a fantasy for surgeons. Tired of vacuuming or doing dishes? Industry studies how robots can help
• Abstracts: Electronic bulletin boards help businesses post success; small firms link up via computer and swap tips across the nation

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.