e-Government
PUAD
626: Information Resources Management
MANAGER’S e-COMMERCE “WHAT, ME WORRY?” QUIK TUTORIAL |
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Think About Information Flow And Business Processes NOT Technology |
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"Electronic Commerce is any “..."
Electronic Commerce is any “interaction” between an enterprise and a customer or business partner, that is processed or facilitated electronically, regardless if it is by voice, interactive voice, fax, or online. |
Why do companies do e-commerce? | ||
To reach a broader market. | ||
To reduce operating costs. | ||
To reduce capital costs (fewer branches). | ||
To speed up the process. | ||
To reduce errors. | ||
To please the customer. | ||
Why do customers do e-commerce? | ||
Convenience, convenience, convenience. | ||
To reduce costs. | ||
To speed up the process. | ||
To reduce errors. | ||
Examples | ||
B2B: Wal-Mart (B2B); B2C: On-line Banking, Amazon | ||
G2G: NVRA, Special Needs Kids; G2C?: DLLR |
“Snail” mail is information technology! | ||
Moving(?) information across a network. | ||
One way, not two way! Not an exchange. | ||
Usually one-to-one, but not always (mass mailings). | ||
Accepting orders by mail: known customers. | ||
Accepting orders by mail: unknown customers. | ||
+: A “serial” process. | ||
+: Creates a record. | ||
--: Delayed information processing (slow). | ||
--: Information is hard-copy, not
electronic (data requires re-entry). |
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+: Can move goods as well as information. | ||
The fax is information technology. | ||
+: Speed. | ||
+: Record (but not a legal signature in some states). | ||
--: Cost. |
"The telephone is information technology"
The telephone is information technology. | ||
Information (voice) across a network. | ||
Usually one-to-one, but not always. | ||
Accepting orders by phone: known customers. | ||
Accepting orders by phone: unknown customers. | ||
+: Allows immediate information
exchange/processing (answers/clarification of questions). |
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--: A “parallel” process (telephone tag). | ||
--: No record. | ||
Interactive voice/auto-fax back is information technology. | ||
Moving information across a network. | ||
One way or 2 way? Specific request, but information “push.” | ||
+: A “serial” process; works 24 / 7. |
Confidentiality | ||
Can the information be seen by the “wrong” someone. | ||
Integrity | ||
How do I know the information was not accidentally or maliciously altered or destroyed. | ||
Authentication | ||
How do I know it was the “real” Ray Skinner? | ||
Non-Repudiation of Origin (NRO) | ||
If the transaction has integrity and
authentication, the sender can not deny sending it or the content. |
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Non-Repudiation of Receipt | ||
The recipient can not later deny having received it. | ||
Return receipt requested. | ||
"Confidentiality = Encryption"
Confidentiality = Encryption | ||
Encryption key (public/private) | ||
Integrity + Authentication: Electronic Signature | ||
N.B. – Thus we have non-repudiation of origin. | ||
Non-Repudiation of Receipt: Electronic Replies | ||
Can include the “check sum.” | ||
Arrived at mailbox or was read? | ||
Proof of date/time is still a little tricky | ||
There are ways to get around this using reliable third parties. |
Phase I: Pushing Information | ||
It’s the web site (fax-back, but better). | ||
Finding information. | ||
Downloading forms. | ||
Example: IRS. | ||
+: there for customer 24 / 7 | ||
–: folks get annoyed when it goes “down” | ||
+: may reduce telephone calls | ||
–: but if people find out about you
through web search it might increase them |
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+: usually reduces copying &
postage costs if folks can find what they want |
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Implementation: FY 2001 | ||
Web-site policy, format, etc. – steering committee | ||
Web-site maintenance – IT Division. | ||
Web-site content – Applicable DHCD Division. | ||
Web-site forms – Applicable DHCD
Division (special file types with help from IT Division). |
Phase I – e-mail attachments | ||
The user creates a document (word processor, spreadsheet, etc.) on their computer and sends it to you attached to an e-mail | ||
+: as fast as fax; no waiting for busy signal | ||
+: prints prettier than fax | ||
+/–: you have an electronic version of
the document and can edit it |
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–: no signature | ||
Implementation: Available now. | ||
Hint: this is part of telecommuting, or even in office workflow. |
Phase IIa: Form to e-Mail (They Push) | ||
The user fills out the form on the web, and the web server sends you (and, perhaps, them) an e-mail with the data fields. | ||
+: fast | ||
+: you appear web savvy | ||
–: you now have info on them, raises confidentiality issues | ||
–: no “reliability,” what if there was a typo | ||
–: no authentication, don’t know who sent it | ||
Uses: request mail info, register for
seminar, survey (but not up to electronic payments… yet) |
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Implementation: RSN (“real soon now”) | ||
Phase IIb: Load a Database (They Push) | ||
The web server loads the data fields into a database. | ||
+/–: same as above | ||
+: saves data entry | ||
–: the application should check the data for obvious data entry errors (all required fields completed, zip code is all numbers, etc.), and ask the customer to correct the errors. |
Phase II + : Hybrid | ||
The user fills out the form on the
web, and the web server loads it into a temporary (holding) database file. |
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Then the web server sends a “printable” web page back to the “customer”, with a unique numeric code (or bar code) on it. | ||
The customer signs the form and mails it. | ||
When received, a data-entry person brings up the data file (using the unique numeric code), enters any changes, and submits it to the “production system.” | ||
+: data entry done for you | ||
+: legible information | ||
+: as legal as any signed document | ||
Implementation: late FY2001, FY2002 | ||
Example: The NVRA Saga |
Phase IIIa: Taylored responses (Not Secure) | ||
Create web-pages “on the fly” | ||
Database queries, but requires database. | ||
GIS maps. | ||
Phase IIIb: Secure Credit Card Ordering | ||
Probably outsourced or state provided function. | ||
Database queries. | ||
Phase IVa: electronic data interchange (Secure!) | ||
100% automated application-to-application exchange of business information with known partners | ||
Phase IVb: Taylored responses (Secure!) | ||
Known business partners | ||
Phase V: Taylored responses (Secure!) | ||
Unknown business partners & citizens |
Direct Return-on-Investment | ||
It pays for itself by savings. | ||
“3-Year revolving loan fund.” | ||
In public organizations, “business-to-business” (B2B) applications are more likely to generate this kind of return than “business-to-customer” (B2C) | ||
However, “marginal benefits” – after
primary/required database is in place often can yield positive return. |
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Improve Speed/Accuracy of Service | ||
This is a good thing, but if no actual
savings, is it worth the investment? (But this should create savings.) |
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New Services? | ||
Do they add value? To government? To customers? |
Reach More Customers | ||
But government must serve all; digital divide. | ||
Unclear on savings. | ||
Meet citizen expectations. | ||
Citizen Convenience | ||
What is the value of night-time road repairs? It costs more. |