Review on a post on e-tailling from My E-Commerce blog- Amazon launches SMS shopping

After reviewed a post that related to e-tailing from My E-Commerce blog (http://ecommerze.blogspot.com/search/label/e-Tailing), I would like to share some personal opinion. The post i reviewed is about Amazon.com, an e-commerce giant, launches their new business practices- SMS shopping on 1^st April 2008.

For this SMS shopping, I am very interesting in this practice. This is the first time I heard about SMS shopping. In Malaysia, I never heard SMS shopping from my family members, friends and anyone around me, maybe one of the reasons is Malaysian basically do not have those habit perform their business transactions not so directly and thus do not have interest to know such practices.

E-tailing, also well known as online retailing become more and more popular because there are less costly and have a bigger market. However, the more popular the online retailing represents the more competitive in such market. Online retailer need to launches more special idea and those practices to differentiate them self with others that can bring convenience to the customers just like the SMS shopping above mentioned.

As a new generation, I would still like to try this “SMS shopping” although I also lack of confidence to perform such business transaction just like most of the Malaysian. The reason is, why not we try? Maybe we will love it after we try………….

If you need further information, please visit: Amazon.com website.

The application of pre-paid cash card for consumers

Pre-paid cash card is one of the payment services that allow us to transform cash into card and enjoy the convenience that no need to bring along a lot of cash and lesser the troublesome of exact fares.

One of the well-known pre-paid cash card in Malaysia is Touch-n-Go which either can be a card or built in the Identity Card with 64k chip. Touch-n-Go mostly uses in the Malaysia transportation such as public bus, trains, Highways’ Tolls and car park with its linked network. Recently, this card’s functions were expanded more widely in making payment transactions with A&W, Burger King, Dunkin’ Donut, 7-Eleven, Carrefour hypermarkets, Caltex convenience stores and Cineleisure.

Compared the Octopus application in Hong Kong with Touch-n-Go, Octopus is more advance and innovative. Even the vending machines also can be paid though this payment service. The most interesting is the Octopus may either in the card form or accessories for example the key chains, plush toys and jewelry.

In Taipei, well-known pre-paid cash card is EasyCard, which completes the payment transactions with the wireless signals through Identity Card memory chips and induction circuits implanted in the card. This card mostly be used in the transportation services.

In Singapore, EZ-Link Card also same functions as the card mentioned above, it can be used in various services and industries such as restaurant, convenience store, government services, shopping mall, academic and transportation.

The following website hope may help you for further information~~

Touch-n-Go:
http://www.moha.gov.my/eng/system/print_details.asp?tt=content&contentid=445

http://ecommerze.blogspot.com/2008/04/using-touch-n-go-card-to-buy-fast-food.html

http://www.touchngo.com.my/WhatTNG.html

http://www.touchngo.com.my/WhatTNG_card_TNG_4.html

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/12/nation/20902911&sec=nation

Octopus:
http://www.asiarooms.com/travel-guide/hong-kong/getting-there/hong-kong-transportation/octopus-card.html

http://www.thingsasian.com/stories-photos/2582

http://www.contactlessnews.com/library/2008/05/12/octopus-extending-tentacles-outside-of-hong-kong/

EasyCard:
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2008/06/13/2003414650

http://www.trtc.com.tw/e/service.asp?catid=%E4%B9%98%E8%BB%8A%E6%8C%87%E5%8D%97&small=%E8%BB%8A%E7%A5%A8%E7%A8%AE%E9%A1%9E

EZ-Link Card:
http://sun.systemnews.com/articles/103/1/news/16948

Credit Card Debts: Causes and Prevention

Credit card becomes more popular in these few years. Credit card is very convenient in trade but the credit cards also arose some problems since it’s under control such as credit card debts. In these few years, many people had declared bankrupt, the majority caused by credit card debts.

Causes of credit card debts:

1. Credit card users are poor in money management. Those users didn’t have proper plan about their existing income and expenses before make decision to spend the money.
2. Credit card users use debts to pay debts. The users used credit card to pay off their spent or expenses. This will have snowball effect.
3. Credit card is providing future money of Credit card users’ services; it is also borrowing money activities. The application of credit card is easier than previously.

Prevention of credit card debts:

1. Bank can increase the qualification of apply the credit card.
2. Credit card users need to improve their money management skills through attend some conference, read some related book and etc.
3. Credit card users can use cash to pay their spent if cash is available to the amount, reduce the usage of credit card.
4. Credit card users can regularly to pay their debts when the statement is received. This can reduce the interest charge of bank; either is in full or part of the amount.

credit card is a useful cards also can be a trouble cards, please think carefully before you use.
If you face credit card debts problem, you can link to this website.this maybe can help you.
http://mycreditcardsolution.com/malaysia-credit-card-debt-solution-website/

The treat of online security: How safe is our data?

As time goes by, more and more business conduct relies on the internet to operate and conduct business. However, in 2007, the Computer Security Institute (CSI) reported that the average annual loss reported by US companies is more than doubled, from $168,000 in the report in 2006 to $350,424 in the survey of 2007.

Treats & attacks
There are many threats to e-commerce that may come from sources within an organization or individual. The followings are some of the potential security threats that can be found:

1. Phishing - an attempt to obtain sensitive information (eg.usernames, passwords & credit card details), by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication.
2. Virus - a program or piece of code that is loaded onto your computer without your knowledge and runs against your wishes.
3. Trojan Horse - A destructive program that masquerades as a kind application. Unlike viruses, Trojan horses do not duplicate themselves
4. Worm - A program that duplicates itself over a computer network and usually performs malicious actions

Here’s some useful security tips to share^^

1. Turn on Windows' automatic-update function to get Microsoft's regular security patches.

2. Don't give away any personal information on social networking Web sites (eg. MySpace or Facebook profile).

3. Use one of the many antivirus, antispyware, and firewall programs on the market.

Reference:

http://www.technewsworld.com/story/31171.html

http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/nov2007/tc2007119_234494.htm?chan=technology_technology+index+page_top+stories

http://www.networkworld.com/news/2006/012006-fbi-security.html