Tài liệu Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft bCentral ppt

Module 1: Introduction
to Microsoft bCentral
Contents
Overview

1

E-Commerce with Microsoft bCentral

2

Services in Microsoft bCentral

4

Components of E-Commerce Web Sites

6

Methods of Implementing Security on
bCentral Web Sites

9

Review

11


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Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft bCentral

iii

Instructor Notes
Presentation:
50 Minutes
Lab:
00 Minutes

This module introduces students to Microsoft® bCentral™ and the services in
the bCentral portal. The module also describes the features of a typical ecommerce Web site, and briefly discusses the various security aspects of an
ideal e-commerce Web site.
After completing this module, students will be able to:
!

Describe the benefits offered by Microsoft bCentral.

!

Identify the services in bCentral and their uses.

!

Describe the components of an e-commerce Web site.

!

Explain the methods of implementing security on e-commerce Web sites.

Materials and Preparation
This section provides the materials and preparation tasks that you need to teach
this module.

Required Materials
To teach this module, you need the following materials:
!

Microsoft PowerPoint® file 1933A_01.ppt

!

Module 1, “Introduction to Microsoft bCentral”

Preparation Tasks
To prepare for this module, you should read all of the materials for this module.


iv

Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft bCentral

Module Strategy

Use the following strategies to present this module:
!

E-Commerce with Microsoft bCentral
First, discuss the general concept of e-commerce. Then, explain the need for
e-commerce in today’s marketplace and describe how bCentral helps
companies to establish their online businesses.

!

Services in Microsoft bCentral
Explain the concept of a Web service, and how the various services offered
by Microsoft bCentral help businesses to design, create, promote, and
manage their e-commerce Web sites.

!

Components of E-Commerce Web Sites
Visit the site specified in the topic, and use this site as an example when
explaining the various features of an e-commerce Web site that are
discussed in the topic.

!

Methods of Implementing Security on bCentral Web Sites
Explain the need for security on an e-commerce Web site. Then, explain the
protocols that are required to maintain security during business transactions.
Finally, explain the various methods of implementing security on an ecommerce Web site.

Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft bCentral

1

# Overview
Topic Objective

To provide an overview of
the module topics and
objectives.

Lead-in

In this module, you will learn
about the general concept of
e-commerce and the various
features of a typical ecommerce Web site.

!

E-Commerce with Microsoft bCentral

!

Services in Microsoft bCentral

!

Components of E-Commerce Web Sites

!

Methods of Implementing Security on bCentral Web
Sites

In an era of rapidly evolving information technology, even the most complex
and time-consuming tasks can now be done within a fraction of a second. The
latest trend in the field of information technology is the concept of e-commerce,
where the speed and convenience of information technology are applied in the
business marketplace.
In recent years there has been a phenomenal increase in the number of online
businesses operating over the World Wide Web. As electronic markets
gradually replace traditional markets, e-commerce has made it possible for even
the smallest enterprises to do business over the Web and reach out to customers
worldwide.
Various Web-based services are available over the Internet that enable new
online businesses to design, create, customize, host, promote, and manage
e-commerce Web sites suited to their business requirements.
After completing this module, you will be able to:
!

Describe the benefits offered by Microsoft® bCentral™.

!

Identify the services in bCentral and their uses.

!

Describe the components of an e-commerce Web site.

!

Explain the methods of implementing security in e-commerce sites.


2

Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft bCentral

E-Commerce with Microsoft bCentral
Topic Objective

To define e-commerce.

Lead-in

E-commerce is a business
solution that allows you to
perform transactions online
and expand your business
worldwide.

!

E-commerce is the electronic exchange of products,
services, and information over the Internet

!

The Microsoft bCentral portal enables merchants to set
up e-commerce Web sites

!

The bCentral portal enables online businesses to
$

Exchange products and services

$

Eliminate paperwork

$

Advertise products and services

The success of a business depends on how effectively its products and services
are advertised and marketed to customers. Many businesses wish to establish a
global presence in order to reach the greatest number of potential customers
worldwide. In today’s business scenario, e-commerce is one solution that can
help a business to achieve this aim.
A typical e-commerce Web site should have a user-friendly design and should
deliver the ordered product, service, or information to the consumer with
minimal wait time. The site should also be secure from unwanted intruders—all
information regarding the company, its customers, and business transactions
should be kept confidential and shared only with the authorized e-partners.
Microsoft offers a portal called bCentral that helps owners of small and
medium-size businesses to create, promote, and manage business-to business or

business-to-consumer Web sites. The bCentral Web service enables online
businesses to reflect the real-world shopping experience in the form of
electronic malls and virtual storefronts. Site visitors can choose from a variety
of products and services listed in a Web catalog, and purchase them online by
using credit cards.
Microsoft bCentral ensures security during online transactions. Payment details
such as credit card or check numbers, and personal details such as addresses
and telephone numbers, are kept confidential. This helps a business to maintain
a relationship of trust with its customers.


Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft bCentral

By using bCentral, online businesses can:
!

Exchange products, services, and information instantaneously with
customers or other companies, significantly reducing communication time.

!

Eliminate paperwork, because business procedures are now implemented
online.

!

Advertise products and services to a global market.

3

4

Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft bCentral

Services in Microsoft bCentral
Topic Objective

To identify the various
services offered by
Microsoft bCentral for
creating, promoting, and
maintaining e-commerce
Web sites.

Lead-in

Microsoft bCentral is a
collection of Web services
that help businesses to
create, promote, and
manage Web sites with
great ease and
convenience.

!

Allow users to create, build, promote, and manage Web
sites easily

!

Include the following:
$

Site Manager - Web site creation and customization

$

SubmitIt! - Submission of Web sites to search engines

$

$
$

Banner Network - Submission of advertisement banners
to chosen sites
ListBot - Collection of e-mail addresses of site visitors
PositionAgent - Generation of reports on the ranking of a
site on search engines

Microsoft bCentral is a collection of services that enable businesses to create a
professional-looking Web site, host the site on the Internet, promote the site to a
target audience, and maintain the site efficiently.
The following benefits are offered by bCentral:
!

Create a Web site
Microsoft bCentral services help you to create and build a Web site to

establish your online business. You can also use bCentral services to
customize your Web site according to your specific business requirements.

!

Promote a Web site
Microsoft bCentral services enable you to increase the presence of your
business on the Internet. You can register your Web site with a range of
search engines and directories, advertise your business worldwide, and send
announcements and offers to customers through e-mail.

!

Manage an online business efficiently
Microsoft bCentral services allow you to access information that will help
you to manage your business more effectively. Microsoft bCentral provides
many additional services through its affiliates. For example, bCentral links
you to MSN® Hotmail® for free Web-based e-mail.


Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft bCentral

Delivery Tip

Access the
www.bCentral.com site and
inform the students that this
is the home page of the
Microsoft bCentral portal.
Take the students on a

quick tour of the site. At this
stage, do not sign up for any
service. Point out the three
links: Start, Market, and
Manage. Click the Start
link. Emphasize that the Site
Manager service mentioned
on the Start Online page
helps users to create a site.
Go back to the home page,
and then click the Market
link. Point out that the
services in the bCentral
Traffic Builder mentioned on
the Marketing Your
Business page include
SubmitIt! and Banner
Network, which help in site
promotion. Go back to the
home page, and then click
the Manage link. Draw
attention to some of the
services listed on the
Manage More Efficiently
page. You can also show
the students some of the
links and services
mentioned on the home
page itself.

5

The major services offered by Microsoft bCentral are described in the following
table.
BCentral service

Use

Site Manager

Creates a Web site and customizes it to suit your
business-specific requirements.

SubmitIt! (affiliate service)

Submits your Web site to more than 400 search
engines and directories of your choice.

Banner Network

Submits advertising banners that you created to the
sites of your choice.

ListBot

Collects the e-mail addresses of your site visitors,
sends messages to list members, manages mailing
lists, and provides demographic data on your
visitors.

PositionAgent

Generates reports on the ranking of your site on
various search engines.


6

Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft bCentral

Components of E-Commerce Web Sites
Topic Objective

To identify various
components of a typical ecommerce Web site.

Lead-in

A typical e-commerce Web
site consists of a few basic
components, each of which
is discussed in this topic.

!

Electronic catalog - list of products and services

!

Shopping cart - collection of items chosen for purchase

!

Registering shoppers - shopper profiles

!

Flexible payment mode - online (credit card) and offline
(check or cash)

!

Security - authentication of customers

An ideal e-commerce Web site should follow certain basic design
considerations when it is created. Adherence to design standards ensures that
the Web site is:
!

Easy to read and understand.

!

Visually appealing.

!

Simple to navigate.

!

Fast-loading.

!

Error-free (no broken links, misspellings, or inaccuracy in data).

!

Complete with all relevant information.

Web sites built by using bCentral services conform to the above design
standards, thus helping to draw more visitors.
The basic components of a typical e-commerce Web site are discussed in the
following sections.

Electronic catalog
Just as in brick-and-mortar business, online businesses also need to implement
product and service catalogs on their sites. The only difference is that the
catalog of an online business will be in an electronic form.
The electronic catalog enables site visitors to either browse through the
available items, or instantaneously check the availability of a particular item in
the catalog. A feature like this ensures a higher level of customer satisfaction as
compared to normal brick-and-mortar business.


Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft bCentral

Electronic catalogs should have certain added built-in features, such as
advanced search capabilities that help site visitors to quickly search the catalog

for desired items. The catalogs should display the products and services offered
by the companies in a clear and easy-to-search format. An online catalog can
also be used to promote special sales and product offers.

Shopping cart
In a typical brick-and-mortar store, such as a supermarket, customers place the
items they wish to purchase in a shopping cart. In an online virtual storefront,
site visitors can similarly place all of the items they wish to purchase in an
electronic shopping cart.
An e-commerce Web site that offers products and services needs to provide an
electronic shopping cart where shoppers can place the items that they have
selected to purchase. The electronic shopping cart should allow shoppers to
both add and remove items. The shopping cart feature should also indicate the
quantity of items being purchased and the per-unit cost of the items placed in
the cart.

Registering shoppers
Another feature of typical brick-and-mortar stores that has been extended to
online businesses is recognition of regular customers. Just as a neighborhood
grocer recognizes regular customers and gives them special prices, online
businesses also maintain a record of site visitors and their purchase details, and
reward loyal customers with special offers and discounts. Maintaining a “user
profile” of site visitors facilitates communication between a company and its
customers. User profiles also enable a company to monitor customer traffic
patterns and site usage.
E-commerce Web sites created by using bCentral register site visitors when
they make a purchase at the site. All of the information provided by visitors—
such as name, address, e-mail address, payment details, and areas of interest—
are stored in a database. Therefore, the company can modify its Web site to suit
customer preferences.

Note A customer’s e-mail address can be used to implement personal
notification services.
The company can keep a record of the various items bought by a particular
customer on previous occasions. This makes it possible for the company to
make personalized recommendations to customers based on their prior
purchases.
Finally, registering site visitors enables the company to provide shoppers with
receipts, resolve customer queries, provide information on the latest products
and services, and announce changes to the Web site.

Flexible payment mode
E-commerce businesses need to be flexible in terms of customer payment
options. E-commerce sites created by using bCentral support both online
payment through credit cards and offline payment by check or cash.

7


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Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft bCentral

Security
Web sites created by using bCentral implement security features to prevent
intrusion by unauthorized visitors. These security features allow only
authorized consumers, business trading partners, and operators to access the
site.
Microsoft bCentral enables online businesses to implement an efficient login
process for site visitors, who must supply a login name and password to access
the shopping facilities provided by the business.

E-commerce Web sites created by using bCentral ensure confidentiality and
security of critical consumer information, such as password and credit card
numbers, which is transmitted over the Internet during transactions. This
ensures a relationship of trust with the consumers.


Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft bCentral

9

Methods of Implementing Security on bCentral Web Sites
Topic Objective

To identify the various
methods of implementing
security on e-commerce
Web sites.

Lead-in

E-commerce Web sites use
various methods of ensuring
the security of critical
information during online
business transactions.
These security measures
are explained in this topic.

!

Customer authentication - login ID and password

!

Customer registration - shopper profile

!

Data encryption - confidentiality of customer
information

Security is the most critical aspect of an e-commerce Web site. Customers of an
online business do not like their credit card numbers, check numbers, or
personal details to be accessible to third parties who might misuse the
information. Online businesses should ensure confidentiality regarding
information about themselves, their customers, and transaction details. Web
sites created by using bCentral implement security features that allow only
authorized customers and trading partners to access such critical information.
In an e-commerce scenario, information is exchanged between a company and
its e-partners across the Internet. When passing sensitive data across a network,
it is critical to authenticate both the sender and recipient to ensure the security,
confidentiality, and integrity of the transferred data.
Web sites created by using bCentral implement the following security measures
during an online business transaction:
!

Customer authentication

!

Shopper registration

!

Data encryption

Customer authentication
One of the most vital methods of ensuring security on bCentral Web sites is
customer authentication. Authentication prevents unauthorized access to
restricted information on an e-commerce Web site.
Customer authentication on bCentral Web sites is implemented through
customer use of a login ID and password. Microsoft bCentral Web sites provide
the option of creating user accounts for site visitors based on login name,
password, and other personal details.


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Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft bCentral

Once site visitors are registered, they can access all of the products and services
offered by the site by supplying their login ID and password. The server verifies
the login ID and password of the site visitor against the user account. The
merchant’s private Web site can be accessed only if the login information
supplied by the customer is valid.

Customer registration
Web sites created by using bCentral register site visitors when they make a
purchase. Personal details, payment details, and areas of interest provided by
site visitors at the time of purchase are saved in a database.

Data encryption
Microsoft bCentral also implements data encryption, a security feature that
ensures that data passed over the network is read and altered only by authorized
users.
For example, you can freely browse through a catalog on an e-commerce Web
site, but when you are ready to make a purchase, you enter a secure section of
the site that is closed to unauthorized visitors.
Confidential information supplied by customers at the time of purchase, such as
credit card details, is encrypted before being sent to the merchant’s server. This
ensures that a third party does not intercept the confidential information.


Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft bCentral

11

Review
Topic Objective

To reinforce module
objectives by reviewing key
points.

Lead-in

The review questions cover
some of the key concepts
taught in the module.

!

Describe the benefits offered by Microsoft bCentral

!

Identify the services in bCentral and their uses

!

Describe the components of an e-commerce Web site

!

Explain the methods of implementing security in ecommerce sites

1. How does e-commerce reflect the real-life shopping experience online?
E-commerce reflects the real-life shopping experience through features
such as electronic markets, virtual storefronts, electronic catalogs and
shopping carts, online payment, and online delivery of the desired item
to the customer.

2. You have created a site by using Site Manager. You need to register your
site with the Infoseek and Yahoo! search engines and specify keywords for
searching. You then need to see how your site is ranked on these search
engines after a few days. Identify the bCentral services that will help you
accomplish these tasks.
The bCentral services are:
• SubmitIt! registers your site with search engines and enables you to
specify keywords for searching.

• PositionAgent generates reports on the ranking of your site on
various search engines on the Web.

3. Emily wishes to set up an online business. She needs to create a Web site,
customize it according to her business needs, and promote the site across the
Web. Which bCentral service will help her to start her online business?
Microsoft bCentral Site Manager.


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Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft bCentral

4. Identify a method that enables a company to distribute its data and software
online to the customers?
Electronic markets.

5. List two features of an electronic shopping cart.
• Items can be added or removed.
• Quantity and per-unit price of selected items is indicated.

6. What method enables an online business to communicate with its customers,
monitor customer traffic patterns, and analyze site usage?
Registration of customers and trading partners and maintenance of
their user profiles.

7. Identify the method used to authenticate customers of an e-commerce
business.
Verification of the customer’s login ID and password by the Web
server.

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