Download Skylar Elliott-Honig Homework 4 Info Systems #1 pg 164 Benefits of

Skylar Elliott-Honig
Homework 4
Info Systems
#1 pg 164
Benefits of Extranets
An extranet can be defined as a “secure network that uses the internet and web technologies to
connect internets of business partners so that communication between organizations or between
consumers is possible.” Extranets also allow the same benefits like intranets, however than can include
consumer satisfaction, various forms of feedback, coordination, expedited communication, cost
reduction are just a list of a few advantages. First, let us take a look at Tobisha , they use an extranet
that helps them process orders in a timely fashion. By using this it is possible for many many dealers to
place part orders until five pm, that would help them achieve status of next day delivery. With
extranets, Tobisha can arrange pricing, check different accounts, and look at press releases. As another
example, I use online banking. The bank or credit union that I use is DuPont Community Credit Union. As
DuPont has online banking through the internet, they also have a mobile app that allows me to make
transfers to my credit card, savings account, or to a personal loan. Since the app is on my phone and I
have an iPhone, the app even allows an extra layer of security through the password and having to use
my digital fingerprint that I use to open my phone which allows for extra safety. Another cool thing
about my banking app, is that it allows for a picture to be taken of a check, and the check can be put
directly in my account without issues. By having this app, it can allow for the banks or credit union to
save money on human resources, by not putting them into the branches, and it can move them to
customer service in the case of any issues. My last example, is UPS (United Parcel Service) also uses the
extranet since they can collect information about a package to make it available to the customer. The
tracking system allows the customers to click on a tracking number through an email and take them to
the site or go immediately to the site and enter the number. Upon putting the number in, it will then
take it let you know where the package is via location or at its last check in point. In addition, they can
prepare shipping forms and labels for the pick up or delivery, as well as set a schedule for pick ups, and
lastly assign the tracking number. Companies have an advantage using extranets because it can be used
to increases sales, reduce risks, and increase profits. Reasons why it may be successful is that that they
have and need comprehensive security systems and proper management control in order to be at the
advantage and successful.
#4 pg 165
Social Networking in the Small Business Realm
For any business, whether it be for a large or small business, being able to expose themselves to
their customers or consumers is important. Small business’s typically have a harder time reaching their
customers. They need to be constantly working to be recognized by the general public. In order to
create a successful imagine, many small businesses turn towards many modes of social media. Being
available on social media also creates the awareness that they need. Social Networking is referred to as
an “broad class of web sites and services that allow users to connect with friends, family, and colleagues
online as well as meet people with similar interests and hobbies.” According to this definition is can be a
clear reason as to why businesses utilize the social media and network in ways to connect with their
customers and their consumers.
According to the text, it states that the average American will spend an average of sixteen
minutes per hour, on a social media sight or network. With that being said, over two billion people
utilize these networks and the numbers keep rising. With these high numbers, there is no reason for a
company to not utilize social media and social networking, since it seems that (almost) everyone is using
it. We could look at multiple search engines, and see that if we were to type in a site or a product, that
we would be able to find them without trouble. For an example, let’s look at Facebook. Facebook has
become a norm in a lot of people’s lives. With a lot of people using it, it only makes sense for a smaller
company to use it as well, by creating a page, and even displaying the product or service that Is being
marketed. Their customers or consumers can then like the page or follow it resulting in the company’s
activity (i.e. their posts and photos) popping up in their newsfeed which can result in them going to the
site or the company in person, and making a purchase. Pinterest is one of my favorite social
media/networking sites to use. This can be used to showcase a business, and what they produce or what
service they may provide. It also allows you to save a certain product to your board if you want to come
back to it later and find it. Pinterest is great for small companies that use ETSY, those who create a new
recipe, or even someone just showing their craft skills. Two other very useful sites for marketing and
advertising would be that of Twitter, and of Youtube. As someone who spends a lot of time on Twitter,
you can follow companies and it will connect you with them in “real time”. On Twitter they can also
provide a link to take you to their site, and it keeps you up to date. Finally, Youtube is not just a place to
market products, but if you do not know how to utilize a certain product, Youtube has a long list of
videos for “DIY” or just simply “how-to”. With people spending a large amount of time on the internet,
or these networking sites, it makes it easy to stumble upon a business that is using them for advertising
and marketing. If this is the case and the customer or the consumer is intrigued, it can lead them to the
actual site or company, so that they may have a connection with them.
As someone who uses Twitter and Pinterest very often, I actually find a lot of smaller companies
who I want to purchase from. The way that this happens is someone will retweet the product to their
page or will repin their small companies product. When this happens, it can catch the eye of a someone
who is following what you are pinning or tweeting and then they may become a consumer or customer
for that small business as well. It seems like it could run full circle and certainly promote the company.
Since many small businesses do not have a large amount of income as a company that is rather
large, free advertising is also known as the best advertising. Since most forms of social media are free,
this is the best way to get a small business free advertising. Since it is free, they can get their image or
product out to the world and it can be easily accessible to the general public. These smaller companies
can place their links into other websites and others can then share it to other forms of media or to other
members of the public. These different types of social media can also reach out to a larger market than
that of just passing the store.
With the growing popularity of social networking, it changes the way that businesses or
companies run, it also helps the consumers make decisions. Buyers and even sellers are able to do more
online than they used to be. From a business standpoint, it would be cheaper and money smart to
advertise and market using free forms of social media or networking, especially since it would reach a
broader area of customers or consumers, and it would also increase their online activities.