Get Started in e-Business

Aim This presentation is prepared to support and give a general overview of the ‘How to Get Started in e-Business’ Guide and should be read in conjunction with the publication.Introduction Use of the Guide This guide looks at the background to e-business by: Giving practical guidance on how to develop an e- business strategy and How to begin using e-business Three sections provide more specific details: Project Information Exchange e-Trading e-Tendering

Introduction What is e-Business? The use of electronic means for the conduct of business, not only buying and selling but also servicing customers and collaborating with business partners Why e-Business? Construction companies can make efficiency gains through e-commerce: Reduce costs Speed up your business processes Improve your customer/client relationships

What do You Need? Technology Infrastructure: Internet access, electronic network provider, etc. Getting Started Organisational commitment Implementation strategy derived from overall business plan and IT strategy

Developing an e-Business Strategy Determine What E- Business is Investigate what e-business applications already exist Investigate what e-business applications already exist Look at how other companies are using e-business Look at how other companies are using e-business Decide to which of your business functions this may apply Decide to which of your business functions this may apply

Developing an e-Business Strategy Determine What This Means for Your Business Investigate how e-business is changing the dynamics of the industry Investigate how e-business is changing the dynamics of the industry Decide which applications of e-business are most promising Decide which applications of e-business are most promising Determine what competitive threats e-business poses Determine what competitive threats e-business poses

Developing an e-Business Strategy Set Your E- Business Priorities Analyse the costs and benefits Decide which applications are critical Develop management consensus

Developing an e-Business Strategy Implement Your Strategy Decide which e-business technologies and supporting software to invest in Decide which e-business technologies and supporting software to invest in Ensure that you have adequate resources Organise for continued success

How to Begin e-Business How to Begin E-Business 1. Start small 2. Identify a suitable project 3. Gain the commitment of project partners 4. Agree which formats to use 5. Agree communication channels 6. Agree storage requirements 7. Run a trial 8. Implement, review and revise

Project Information Exchange If organisations intend to use electronic project information exchange: Determine which documents are to be exchanged How and in what format they will be exchanged How and where project information is to be stored Other contractual issues to be addressed

Project Information Exchange Internet Based Project Information Exchange Reduced manual distribution costs Integration of project information Simple management of access rights Document storage and archiving Continuous access to project information Minimal software required

E-Trading E-Trading consists of: The buying and selling of construction related products The administration of the supply chain, procurement and financial operations Internet-based trading Internet provides suppliers with a means of increasing reach and building better customer relations Buyers may search up-to-date accurate product information

E-Trading Receiving goods on Site By automating this process companies can potentially: Clear material invoices Streamline document matching Reduce disputes Improve information exchange between sites Introduce “self billing” with greater confidence

E-Trading Payment It is likely that a company could adopt from one of the following options: BACS Electronic Banking Purchase Cards Electronic Remittance Advice and Payment

E-Trading Legal Issues It is essential to set out clearly the terms on which the parties will do business With e-trading it is suggested that your terms and conditions should cover some of the following: Risks Authority Payment Dispute resolutions etc.

E-Tendering Tendering by electronic means potentially offers a considerable cost saving together with a better controlled process Exchanging Electronic Tenders A standard electronic exchange format allows all parties to link their systems together It reduces the high cost and time delays associated with the traditional way manual information handling

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