Acquiring software applications for starting an e-commerce business

Business

The first thing needed to be done in starting up an e-commerce business is to acquire its it applications. The first step in doing this is justifying and committing an investment towards it, and then they must decide how they want to go about this ("Acquiring Information Systems," n.d.). Typically, an e-commerce company would want to create a Web site for their customers, which enables them to make purchases online. There are several ways of acquiring it applications, this includes:

Buying the applications

Leasing the applications

Using open-source software, Using Software-as-a-service

Developing them in-house; or Outsourcing them ("Acquiring Information Systems," n.d.)

Being more of a business than a strive to improve technology, the suggested approach to be considered would be the "off-the-shelf approach." This would come in very easy for someone desiring to run a business because applications can be found in the type of commercial software packages. When an individual purchases an existing package, it may be considered as a good investment (depending on how well they utilize the product) and it can be a cost-effective as well as a time-saving strategy compared to developing an application in-house. Developing a project in-house is not recommended for someone who is focusing on the commerce side of the company.

However, this option should be taken carefully into consideration. This is because technology does not come cheap, and capital should be planned out in creating an e-commerce company ("Acquiring Information Systems," n.d.). One needs to be aware of the software's features, and also to match those features with the needs of the company. The current features which would be desirable in a software is one which will help them create a Web site which caters to customers and allows them access to making purchases online through their mobile devices because of today's trends -- this would cover much of their media exposure. Being a straight-forward type of need, the company owner can look to buying software which is more traditional and basic. This is because software has to satisfy an organization's needs. He or she will save much time by choosing this option, and they will be able to familiarize themselves with software of this nature ("Acquiring Information Systems," n.d.).

Because the internet is such a public place, policies would differ depending on where the e-commerce company would like to offer its business. The decision making in this area should be based on the state in which the company is headquartered at, if there would be a physical location for the company.