A review on a local e-commerce site

This review is about a local e-commerce website that has been garnering substantial popularity for the past few years for its simplicity and effectiveness. The e-commerce website that I’m going to review here is none other than http://www.airasia.com/. It is a known fact that Air Asia has emerged as one of the best low cost airline in the region being true to their tagline, “now everyone can fly”. As a matter of fact, the website of Air Asia is comprehensive and user friendly that even a rookie internet user can browse through without much hassle and there is even a guide on how to book flight ticket online at the bottom of Air Asia’s website.

For a start, visitors to the website could choose between three of the languages being offered which are English, Malay, and Chinese. Among the services offered by the website are bookings, flight info, product & shopping, travel services as well as corporate services. Flight info is frequently updated for the convenience of potential customers. Visitors to the website can also opt to apply for self check-in. Air Asia website also offers an array of promotions for their customers such as free e-vouchers. As if that is not good enough, those registered with the website will receive e-mails regarding latest happenings and good deals that Air Asia has to offer.

E-Government in Malaysia: Its implementation so far and citizen's adoption stractegies

E-Government is the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to improve the activities of public sector organisations. In orther words, E-Government is a generic term for Web-based services from agencies of local, state and federal governments. Such Web sites provide a wide variety of services to the public and have been extremely helpful in reducing internal paperwork

During the tax season, it's that time of year that causes so much stress, such like piling deadlines on people who already have too many deadlines, and ending with the writing of a check to the government. It's not the greatest way to kick off springtime.

However, Electronic tax filing is the perfect example of a service that is best served through an e-government initiative that can combine the capabilities not only of a software developer, but also channel companies that understand what it means to serve both the government agency and its constituents.

Once implemented, citizens would file their taxes on the Web site. Any charges applied to the service would be used to offset the cost of the procurement.

In addition, E-Perolehan is an online procurement system that allows local entrepreneurs to register as suppliers for government offices. It also allows the government offices and agencies to procure products and services through a fast, web-based and electronic application.

E-Perolehan was established in 1999 as part of the MSC initiatives, and developed by Commerce Dot Com, a company partly owned by the government. E-Perolehan is the earliest major project undertaken by them.

The company admits to facing a lot of conflicts and challenges in the earlier days of project implementation, coupled with weak management and disintegrated coordination. At the same time, marketing a completely new and robust system which is not familiar to many presented a daunting challenge.

However, the inception of ePerolehan was timely as to follow the trend of increasingly popular and robust online or web-based procurement system that is being implemented by other corporations in the private sector. Also, it marks as another commitment by the government to have ‘all things electronic’ in the government daily operation. The system continues to undergo upgrades and design improvements as well as enhancement in the infrastructure.

Related Links:
1.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-Government
2.http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/TOPICS/EXTINFORMATIONANDCOMMUNICATIONANDTECHNOLOGIES/EXTEGOVERNMENT/0,,menuPK:702592~pagePK:149018~piPK:149093~theSitePK:702586,00.html
3.http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/egov/

The application of pre-paid cash card for consumers

Prepaid Cash Cards are often confused with credit cards and debit cards. However, they are some very key differences between the two primary types of financial transaction card. In general, credit card is that consumers borrow money and then pay it back later. If the balance of the credit card is not paid back in full by the next statement, the remaining balance is charged interest. In contrast, debit cards and prepaid cash cards are similar because they both use your existing money, rather than borrowing.

The advantages of using prepaid cash cards are that consumers like a portable access point to their checking account. Automated teller machines (ATM) are everywhere now, and consumers can use prepaid cash cards at ATM to withdrawal funds from their account in cash, deposit funds, and even make an account balance inquiry. Consumers don't have to go to the bank anymore to get money out of their checking account, and they don't need to have a personal computer handy to check their balance. Beside that, when consumers are at the shopping mall making payment in a cashier, they can use their prepaid cash cards to see how much money have left in the account. This helps keep them from overspending the account.

The types of pre-paid cash cardn is Touch ‘n Go card. It is an electronic purse that can be used at all highways in Malaysia, major public transports in Klang Valley, selected parking sites and theme park.

Touch ‘n Go uses contactless smartcard technology. The card looks similar to a credit card. User can continue using the card as long as it is pre-loaded with electronic cash. User can reload the card at toll plazas, train stations, Automated Teller Machines, Cash Deposit Machines, Petrol kiosks and at authorised third party outlets. Reload denomination is ranging from RM20 to RM500.

Touch ‘n Go enhances the speed of paying for low value but high frequency transactions. Apart from the speed, it is also very convenient because user no longer need to prepare for small change or wait in queue at the cash lane to complete the transaction. Touch 'n Go Sdn Bhd, the operator of this Electronic Payment System, has several range of Touch ‘n Go cards to suit different market needs.

Beside that, nowadays almost everyone is using mobile phone over the world. Another types of pre-paid cash card is sim card. Consumers would reload or deposit the money into their sim card. A sim card is a portable memory chip used in some models of cellular telephones. The sim card makes it easy to switch to a new phone by simply sliding the sim out of the old phone and into the new one. The sim holds personal identity information, cell phone number, phone book, text messages and other data. In addition, a sim card can come in very handy.

Related links:
1.http://www.touchngo.com.my/
2.http://siva-my.jobstreet.com/_profile/previewProfile.asp?advertiser_id=3942

Things to take note to prevent e-auction fraud when a consumer participating in an e-auction

E-auctions are becoming important selling and buying channels for many companies and individuals. E-auctions enable consumers to access goods and services anywhere auctions are conducted. Moreover, almost perfect market information is available about prices, products, current supply and demand, and so on. These characteristics provide benefits to all; however, there have several limitations too. The most significant limitations are minimal security, the possibility of fraud, and so on.

The first is minimal security. Some of the C2C auctions conducted on the Internet are not secure because they are done in an unencrypted environment and credit card numbers could be stolen during the payment process.

Secondly is the possibility of fraud may be occurred. Fraud can be committed either by consumers or buyers. It’s because the buyer can’t see the items, the consumer may get defective products. Also, consumer can commit fraud by receiving goods or services without paying for them. Thus, the fraud rate on e-auctions is very high.

Things to take note to prevent e-auction fraud when a consumer participating in an e-auction. Consumer should aware that seller may provide fake photos or misleading descriptions. Borrowed images, ambiguous descriptions and falsified facts are some of the tactics that sellers might employ to convey a false impression of the item. Furthermore, they may also fail to disclosure all relevant information about the item.

Next, seller may sell reproductions as originals. In other words, seller sells something that the seller claims is original, but it turns out to be reproduction.

In contrast, seller also should aware consumer who may failure to pay. Consumers do not pay after a deal is agreed upon. It’s suggested that seller should implement a policy against those who do not honor their winning bids. To help protect sellers, a first-time nonpayment results in a friendly warning. A sterner warning is issued for a second-time offense, a 30 days suspension for a third offense, and indefinite suspension for a fourth offense.

Additionally, consumers may claim that they did not receive an item or that they received it in damaged condition and then ask for a refund. They might be trying to get a freebie. The seller sometime can’t prove whether the item ever arrived or whether it was in perfect condition when shipped. It’s suggested seller can adopt item verification to identify and evaluate the condition of an item. With verification, neutral third parties will evaluate and identify an item through a variety means.

There are also possible that consumer may use of false identities or provide false contract information. Sellers can use the services of Equifax to verify consumer identities for a $5 fee. It’s encourages consumers to supply with information for online verification, by offering their Social Security number, driver’s license number, and date of birth and so on.

Related Links:
1.http://www.eprocurementscotland.com/Home/ePS-Service/eAuction/eAuction
2.http://www.eauctionair.com/
3.http://www.mjunction.in/metaljunction/products_services/what_is_eauction/

A review on a post on Legal from My E-Commerce blog

Another SMS and New SMS Scams

Scam and spam has been feared by many due to untrustworthiness of those scandals. Many are victimized by the tricks of SMS scams claiming that they have won prizes which they didn't. Those scams are mainly to con into getting money without consent. Many of these are advertised via SMS or e-mail because those medias are frequently used by many people. Thus, it is easier to prey them by using this trick.

From the blog review, I think that due to the widespread of scam cases, most people with mobile phones should beware with them. Thus, I completely agree that government should help lower the case of scamming. In fact, there are many parties can help lower the SMS scam by alerts and mentioned in the blog; be aware when disclosing financial and personal Identity Number.

Next, scams happened almost everytime. This is why new scams always occur. Statement such as 'memenangi hadiah' is used to persuade mobile users to reveal their identity and account informations. Lately, many cases from Akademi Fantasia SMS scam are noticed by public. This is getting serious until ATM machines are forced to send out alerts.

Overall, the blog is a good and it alerted us to beware of upcoming increasing number of scam threats and new scams found especially from Indonesia and other neighboring countries. It is hoped that many readers will take precaution of the hoax.

Related link(s): http://ecommerze.blogspot.com/search/label/Legal