1. Chapter 9 – future of electronic business
Prof. Sheetal Chhabra

2. Virtual Factory
Virtual Factory is defined as an integrated simulation model of major subsystems in factory that considers the factory as a whole and provides an advanced decision support capability.
Virtual factory contains:
Technology Information.
Process Simulation.
Database.

3. Virtual Factory Software
VR-Fact: It is an interactive virtual factory development software to explore the applications of virtual environments. It creates real factory shop floor to study plant layout. Mathematical algorithms are used for generating independent manufacturing cells.

4. Different levels of Virtual Factory
TOP LEVEL
MACHINES
TRANSPORTATION
CONTROL AND SCHEDULING MODELS.
INTERMIDIATE
ACTUAL FUNCTIONING
CONTROL KNOBS
MICRO
PROCESS SIMULATION
DESIGN EVOLUTION

5. Advantages of Virtual Factory
Improved decision making.
Improve Equipment Layout, Material Requirements, Production Scheduling and Strategic Planning.
Improved Operation efficiency.
Streamline lead times.
Decrease capital investment, inventories and risk.
To face the future with confidence.

6. Strategies in e-business
Differentiation
Cost – Leadership
Scope Strategy.

7. Differentiation Strategy
Differentiation refers to make products unique and different to distinguish from competitors.
Cost – Leadership means firm has some unique set of business processes or resources that other firms cannot obtain in the market.
Scope Strategy is used to compete in all markets around the globe, rather than merely in local or national market.

8. Portals & Vortals
Web portals are sometimes classified as horizontal or vertical. A horizontal portal Is used as a platform to several companies in the same economic sector or to the same type of manufacturers or distributors. A vertical portal (also known as a "vortal") is a specialized entry point to a specific market or industry niche, subject area, or interest. Some vertical portals are known as "vertical information portals" (VIPs). VIPs provide news, editorial content, digital publications, and e- commerce capabilities. In contrast to traditional vertical portals, VIPs also provide dynamic multimedia applications including social networking, video posting, and blogging.

9. Types of Portals Personal portals News portals Government web portals.
Cultural Portals
Corporate web portals
Stock portals
Search portals