The arrival of the third millennium is characterized by a technological revolution once unimaginable. This set of computer and electronic changes can be felt on the economy. Indeed, electronic commerce, companies can greatly increase their sales ... or perish! Therefore, SADC Asbestos is advising companies about the possibilities of electronic commerce.
Answers to your questions: What is electronic commerce? Why do electronic commerce? What are the different types of sites? Trading on the Internet, is it safe? What is the affordable solution for online sales? Are there any grants for the creation of a site?
Reduced to its simplest form, electronic commerce is an exchange of information leading to an exchange of money, goods or services through electronic channels. When we say the words "electronic commerce", the idea of Internet sales immediately comes to mind of people. It is true that electronic commerce includes such transactions, but the possibilities are much greater. In reality, e-commerce business to consumer is much less important than that between companies. What are the possibilities of electronic commerce?
Provide information to consumers and / or suppliers
Communicate (email, newsgroups)
Online sales (catalogs electronic submissions) Internet offers tremendous potential for electronic commerce, but unfortunately causes some concern. Through this site, we hope to better inform you about the possibilities of the Internet in your business.
The main reason for interest in electronic commerce: it opens the doors tens of millions of potential customers for a very modest sum. In addition, it has a multitude of advantages: The speed Increasingly, time is compressed between the time when the need arises and when the good or service is delivered. To remain competitive, companies need to assimilate this new reality. With Internet, information travels faster. For example, unlike mail, email is instantaneous. The savings in operating costs (marketing, production and inventory), distribution and delivery can be significantly reduced with the use of electronic commerce. For example, a comparison with the cost of a bank transaction: In
branch: U.S. $ 1.07
By phone: U.S. $ 0.52
At the ATM: $ 0.27 U.S.
With a personal computer: $ 0,015 U.S.
With Internet
$ 0.01 U.S. This is possible thanks to the reduction of clerical work associated with paper handling, use of telephone and fax numbers, etc.. Also, it decreases the possibility of errors due to data entry. New market for SMEs, electronic commerce opens doors to the international market, a market virtually equivalent to that of large enterprises.
Reduced supply chain businesses that produce goods are motivated to sell directly to end customer instead of through intermediaries. Internet provides the flexibility your customers a quick and easy access to your products and what, 7 days 7, 24 hours 24!
Various forms of commercial Web sites exist. They differ in their usefulness as well as to their complexity. Note that an increase is usually observed. Informational site
Used to get on the Web and become familiar with the Internet. It generally consists of a picture of the company and may serve to attract potential customers. For example, see the website of the bed and breakfast Clos des Pins in the Asbestos region.
eCommerce website (interactive) In addition to possessing the properties of an informational site, this type of site provides an opportunity for customers to get a quote and / or command. The most popular for Internet shopping is the creation of a virtual shopping cart. When an object of interest to the consumer, it simply clicks on its image so that it joins a invoice. At the end of the shopping, the customer can pay using a telephone number without charge or directly via the Internet. For example, the site of the house music Archambault has greatly increased their turnover.
SIte integrated Although the most complex, the simplicity of an integrated site remains identical to the transactional website in terms of the customer. The difference: the transactions of this type of site are sent directly to your other applications, such as your accounting software or your inventory. Although expensive, this type of site greatly reduces the number of errors in data manipulation and therefore reduces the magnitude of losses.
transactions will not be safe ... they already are! The security of an electronic transaction based on four factors: its confidentiality, integrity (it happens all), his credentials (the merchant and the customer is who they claim to be) and its non-repudiation (you can say "I have not done"). Today all major browsers (Netscape and Explorer) meet these requirements. The problem is no longer technology, it is human. Consumers still lack confidence in electronic commerce, but it is safer now to buy a product over the Internet than to leave her credit card on the counter of a restaurant or to dictate its code on the phone!
* * Patrick Doyon, director of electronic commerce UForce , author of a study on security transactions for the Treasury Board. Journal of Commerce in December 1999, p.56
Are you interested in e-commerce and you're ready for the market?
Join portals can be a wise choice. A portal is a collection of transactional sites. Customers can, from a portal, choose a property they wish to purchase and the portal will generate a list of virtual stores, yours may be interested in selling this product.
Several companies offer this solution. In less than 30 minutes you can build your online store step by step. Your site will have a business address and will be published in all search engines. In addition, you can use a secure online (connected directly to a bank, without intermediaries) to make transactions via the Internet.
portals offer vort build online store for free, but they keep a score for cons on your sales.
Why hesitate? Even if you are unsure of the power of e-commerce, you have no initial expense to do. Only thirty minutes of your time ... And if your product was all the rage?
Plus for SME access to e-commerce
To enable 10 000 Québec SMEs to reap the potential benefits of electronic commerce, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Economy and Finance Mr. Bernard Landry announced in his Budget Speech 2000-2001, the establishment of a refundable tax credit equal to 40% of expenses incurred for the development of a site transactional web. The tax assistance granted may reach $ 40 000 per company. Getting
gardeCette section aims to answer a simple way to general questions most likely to be asked. In order to simplify the information, the answers are couched in general terms. Finally, to obtain more detailed information, readers should consult the Section 2.3 (Section 1) of Additional Information on the Budgetary Measures. Q.
What are the eligible e-commerce solutions? R. It may be a transactional Web site that uses the public network (Internet) a public network secure and confidential with limited access (extranet) or a transaction between companies within a private network. All these solutions must include a transaction mode by secure computerized channel. Q.
Which companies are eligible for the program? R. In general, any company that operates an established business in Québec whose assets are less than $ 12 million or, alternatively, whose gross income is less than $ 25 million. For purposes of calculation, data from the previous tax year will be used. Q.
At From when a company can she receive the refundable tax credit? R. As of March 15, a company may claim this credit for eligible expenses incurred after March 14, 2000 and before 1 April 2002. Transitional rules exist in respect of expenditure incurred between 31 March 2002 and October 1, 2002. Q.
What conditions must be met to qualify for the tax credit? R. The company must submit the completed form prescribed by the Department of Revenue's tax return. It then quickly receive the tax credit request since it will be applied against installments relating to tax on income and capital tax. Q.
A company that already has a website that does not meet the requirements to qualify as eligible commerce solution, can she receive the refundable tax credit to make it consistent? R. Yes. Expenses incurred must allow the website to qualify as eligible e-commerce solution. Q.
What expenses are eligible? R. This summary of the expenditures attributable wages and cost of acquisition of application software to be integrated into the eligible e-commerce solution as part of the implementation thereof. Certain types of expenses are excluded. Q.
The company that contracts out work to another player can she receive the tax credit refundable? R. Yes. If the mandate is given to a third party, the company that wishes to develop an e-commerce solution may claim the refundable tax credit in respect of part of the fee allowed for carrying out the mandate. Rules allow determine the party claiming the tax credit. Q.
Expenses can they be spread over more than one tax year? R. Yes. However, the refundable tax credit is limited to a cumulative maximum of $ 40 000. Q.
What is the cost of the program? R. A $ 126 million is planned for the next three years.
This section is taken from a text of the website of the Ministry of Finance of Quebec. To see its origin, click on the image.
In 2003: Sales
electronically will reach $ 12.8 billion sales in Canada
electronically represent 4.6% of all sales.
One in four Canadians have become accustomed to making purchases online.
E-commerce between companies will increase from 81 billion (in 1998) to 3200 billion, or 35 times to $ 50M more élevé.Temps Users:
Radio: 38 years
Television: Cable
13 years: 10 years
Internet
5 years
Use of a Web site in the enterprise:
70% use it to connect to corporate information
56% use it to enhance customer service
23% are a marketing tool
only 9% have an Internet site transactionConnexion:
90% of companies with fewer than 10 employees are computerized
34% of businesses are connected to the Internet
17% have a Web site
40% of Canadians have Internet
50% of Quebecers connected via the Internet to buy U.S.
Some argue that the Internet will become the backbone of the economy of the 21st century.
The number of Internet sales have tripled for the holiday season compared to last year.
E-commerce between companies is and will remain more important e-commerce business to consumer.
