ICT and e-Business Impact in the Retail Industry - empirica

e-Business in the Retail Sectoraddition it is also archived in another database on another Mercator’s server“Rip_backup” as a backup copy. Later on, the document is sent overATbizNET/Panteon.net to the supplier's mailbox located on a server inATbizNET/Panteon.net (if the supplier too uses “FULL EDI” solution). The same is truefor any order confirmation sent by the supplier to Mercator in response to its order.e-Service solutionThis solution has been developed by Panteon Group on Mercator’s initiative for smallsuppliers, which do not want (or cannot afford) to invest in expensive software forconversions like TIE EP, but want to have a solution that is integrated with their ERPsystem. The e-Service solution is not suited for suppliers without ERP system.WEB-EDI solutionThe WEB-EDI solution was developed on Mercator’s initiative for suppliers that do notwant or cannot afford to invest in any software or hardware required to conduct e-commerce. WEB-EDI is also ideally suited for suppliers without ERP system.Every document sent from Mercator to the supplier, that uses the WEB-EDI solution, issent to a web portal named “Enterprise portal” hosted on a server linked toATbizNET/Panteon.net. Whenever the portal receives a new document, it creates an e-mail that is sent to the supplier’s contact person. Alternatively it can also create a textmessage (SMS) that alerts the supplier over mobile phone. The supplier can log on to theportal to view the document and can even send order confirmations to Mercator from theportal.ATbizNET/Panteon.netATbizNET/Panteon.net is a value-added network (VAN) provided by ATNET AdvancedTechnologies and Panteon Group. It is a communications network physically separatedfrom the internet that provides communication channels and other services, such asautomatic error detection and correction, protocol conversions, and store-and-forwardmessage services. The network can be accessed over:Modem access via dial-up lineModem access via leased lineModem access via ISDN lineInternet VPN (Extranet) accessInternet VPN Secure Client accessCost for the systemCost for building the e-commerce system at Mercator exceeded 35.000€ 66 . Mercator alsohas a services contract with ATNET Advanced Technologies: it pays a certain fee 67 toATNET Advanced Technologies for every document sent over ATbizNET/Panteon.net.This is a special arrangement reserved for companies that exchange a lot of businessdocuments with their partners.6667The total cost of developing the system has not been disclosed by the company. This is anestimate of total cost that has been made at the beginning of the project however this figure hasbeen exceeded in the course of the project.The fee has not been disclosed by Mercator.125