ISORG Mini-Research Project
The requirement of this project is to conduct a research study of an e-commerce transaction broker e-business model. To research the purposes of its existence, features of the company, the designs, strengths, weaknesses, security, privacy as well as any pitfalls or problems that the company is facing.
What is an e-commerce transaction model?
Electronic commerce, commonly known as (electronic marketing) e-commerce or eCommerce, consists of the buying and selling of products or services over electronic systems such as the Internet and other computer networks.
The use of commerce is conducted in this way, spurring and drawing on innovations in electronic funds transfer, supply chain management, Internet marketing, online transaction processing, electronic data interchange (EDI), inventory management systems, and automated data collection systems.
Modern electronic commerce typically uses the World Wide Web at least at some point in the transaction's lifecycle, although it can encompass a wider range of technologies such as e-mail as well.
Electronic commerce that is conducted between businesses is referred to as business-to-business or B2B. B2B can be open to all interested parties (e.g. commodity exchange) or limited to specific, pre-qualified participants (private electronic market). Electronic commerce that is conducted between businesses and consumers, on the other hand, is referred to as business-to-consumer or B2C. This is the type of business conducted by
Zuji,
Amazon,
Asiarooms
ISORG
Posted on: Thursday, October 15, 2009
Posted at: 4:44 AM
Zuji.com
ZUJI is an online travel agent dedicated to bringing great value travel choices to travellers in Asia Pacific offering great deals rates online. With a choice of more than 400 airlines, 60,000 hotels, and thousands of car hire, activities, attractions as well as travel insurance to travellers.
ZUJI teams are located throughout Asia Pacific, and it has a network of online travel sites in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Korea, India and Singapore.
The word 'ZUJI' is an English derivation of the Chinese/pinyin word for 'footprint'. Using the footprint image and icon regularly on its sites, in marketing and newsletters. It denotes both the start of a journey, and the green footprint icons throughout the site highlight eco-friendlier travel choices.
PurposeHelp customers save time with one click access to facilitate search for their travel needs without the need to go through different websites or travel agents.
Features
Zuji acts as an agent between the customer and the airlines, hotels etc.Design
Interactive and easy to use website. The website is clear and concise for people who needs information at hand fast. It is a simple layout using mostly a mixture of white and blue, giving it a clean look. The navigations are strategically placed at the top, bottom and left side.
Users are also able to choose from the different tabs available at the top of the website. For users who cannot find what they are looking for, they can use the sitemap to locate what they want.
Strength
The website provides relevant updated information. It has its own ratings as well as ratings from travelers. It features travel destination of the month and top 10 holiday destination as well as travel secrets, shopping tips and exciting travel activities.
It enables users to compare prices between air carriers, hotels and tour packages. Spanning from low cost to luxury lodging. Pictures of the travel destination are shown on the website as well as the direction and map. It assists travelers in making an informed decision.
Customers also can create their own “My Zuji information” so the website can keep track of their details. This saves the hassle of having to remember the places that the travelers have been to. 
Since most of the transactions are done online, they will encounter fewer problems upon arrival at their travel destination.
The website allows users to use the currency converter to help for easy conversion of the different currencies. Zuji provides ongoing promotions to attract new customers as well as their members.
Zuji is one of the strongest transaction brokers in the Asia-Pacific Region and is still expanding
globally. (Travelocity is a joint investor)
An added advantage for the environmentally conscience traveler is that there are green travel tips and options available.
An eco-friendly hotel
Weakness
Many people still prefer to go through travel agents or directly to the airline itself since they feel there is more security. Some of their potential customers may not be willing to pay brokerage fees.
Zuji would lose out on those customers who are not online savvy or illiterate especially older generations. They will also tend to lose out on customers without credit cards or online banking.
Some consumers may not understand the processes and how to go about it. They may find it complicated and leave out blanks in providing important details. There is too much information on the website. Customer may get lost trying to source for information.
It is inconvenient to make last minute bookings as well as to cancel flights. Furthermore not all airlines are available on the website.
Security and Privacy
Have accredited safety in place like the SSL encryption. There is a security and privacy policy available on the website for the customer to read. The secure server software encrypts all personal information, including credit card information.
ZUJI also takes the responsibility of protecting customers' credit card information very seriously. In addition to implementing highly secure online protection methods, ZUJI also has a dedicated risk-management team who regularly and randomly counter-check credit card purchases made on ZUJI to ensure their authenticity, and verify that credit cards have not been used for making unauthorised purchases.
http://www.zuji.com.sg/site/help/corporate/privacy_policy.html?skin=ensg.zuji.com.sg
http://www.zuji.com.sg/site/help/corporate/security_policy.html?skin=ensg.zuji.com.sg
Problems and Pitfalls
There is always the problem of information overload and the site must always be updated conscientiously in line with the related parties such as the airlines and hotels. There must be 24 hours hotline to assist the consumer who faces problem or difficulties.
Sources:
Refer to Links
Noor Sa'aidah Bte Ithnin (Leader) S/N:050240331
noor_saaidah@yahoo.com.sg
Shahirah Bte Ab. Aziz (Assistant Leader) S/N:050229196
ocelotgal@hotmail.com
Abdul Khaliq Bin Mohamed Muneer (Secretary) S/N:070222618
donniestargazer@hotmail.com
FTCC (Tues PM)
