A manufacturing enterprise integrates a digital portal that allows its raw material suppliers to monitor factory stock in real time, generate automated reorders, and receive electronic payments from the firm. Concurrently, the company operates a web store enabling individual retail buyers to order finished goods for personal home delivery. Which of the following accurately categorizes the supplier portal and the retail web store?
- The supplier portal is an e-business system operating under a Business-to-Business (B2B) model, whereas the retail web store is an e-commerce system operating under a Business-to-Consumer (B2C) model.Answer
- BThe supplier portal is a Business-to-Consumer (B2C) e-commerce model, whereas the retail web store is an internal e-business process.
- CBoth platforms are classified strictly as Consumer-to-Business (C2B) e-commerce models because automated digital payment systems are used.
- DBoth platforms represent internal e-business operations with no e-commerce classification because inventory databases are automated.
Answer
The supplier portal is an e-business system operating under a Business-to-Business (B2B) model, whereas the retail web store is an e-commerce system operating under a Business-to-Consumer (B2C) model.
E-business is a broad concept covering internal and external business processes, supply chain management, and automated procurement between commercial firms (Business-to-Business, or B2B). E-commerce is a subset of e-business specifically referring to online buying and selling transactions, such as a company selling products directly to individual retail end users (Business-to-Consumer, or B2C).
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Distinction between E-Business and E-Commerce, and classification of B2B vs B2C business models.