On Jin Cui’s Blog, She discusses about the e-business. She believes e-tailing is getting increasingly popular nowadays, and that is a great opportunity to develop e-tailing to reduce costs and increase sales. I totally agree with her, and I want to add some comments about the e-business and explore it in depth.

E-tailing refers to the practice of selling goods and services over an electronic medium, such as Internet. Amazon.com, one of the well-known e-tailers, relies solely on the Web to conduct business. While books, CDs, and computer software and hardware are the most common goods sold by e-tailers, clothes, cosmetics, perfume, plants, toys, and other types of merchandise also made their way to the Web in the late 1990s (wiki)

There are many advantages regarding E-business. One of the biggest benefits is worldwide presence. Companies use the term e-business to refer to servicing customers and cooperating with business partners from all over the world.

Furthermore, Opening online store to sell products is cost-effective, compared to bricks and mortar stores. There is no need to purchase a building or rent office space. There are minimal start-up costs to create and run a website. All you need is only domain name and a computer. Compared with TV ads, online advertisement is more affordable, and it allows business owners to get feedback immediately and easily. For example, using social media, such as blog or Facebook, advertises the products to attract new customers.

In conclusion, with the rapid development of the Internet, developing e-business is getting increasingly essential for a company to ensure survival and success.

Reference: http://searchcio.techtarget.com/definition/e-business

“Microsoft Surface is an upcoming series of tablets designed and marketed by Microsoft. It was announced by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer at a Los Angeles event on June 18, 2012, at Milk Studios. The Surface will be available in two versions, one with Windows RT and another with Windows 8 Pro. The Windows RT model will use an ARM CPU, while the Windows 8 model will use an Intel CPU. Both models will be able to install new applications via the Windows Store, however only the Windows 8 model allows the installation of traditional desktop programs (Wiki)“

Strengths

Advanced cover: compared to the IPAD smart cover, there are a keyboard and a touchpad on it. As we know, typing on a physical keyboard is the more efficient than typing on screen. the consumers who dislike the on-screen keyboard will be attracted. While it’s true that there are plenty of options for adding a keyboard to an iPad, not everyone will want to carry around these pricey add-ons.

Software: With Windows 8 Pro version, Surface will able to run the same applications as PC, especially productivity application, such as Microsoft Office Suit.

Weaknesses

Compare to New iPad, Surface provides lower pixel densitiy screen screen, 180ppi while New iPad provides over 250ppi (PhoneArena). That won’t compete with the iPad’s Retina display or even some Android tablets.

Opportunities

Pad owners have limited ability to use Office and other Microsoft applications, and Microsoft office owns 94% of the market(DailyTech). this advantage makes the Surface more competitive in the business market.

Threats

Current years, Apple has dominated the tablet market. It has occupied the most market shares, 69.6% while Android takes the rest(BGR). Besides, the iPad Mini with low price may attract more new customers and raises its market shares. It will be a big challenge for Microsoft to attract the loyal customers from Apple.

Reference:

• http://www.phonearena.com/phones/Microsoft-Surface-RT_id7181/rivals
• http://www.microsoft.com/Surface/en-CA
• http://ipad.about.com/od/Tablet_Computers_eReaders/a/Microsoft-Surface-Tablet-Vs-The-Ipad.htm
• http://jumpwiremedia.com/2012/06/will-microsoft-beat-apple-with-its-new-surface-tablet/
• http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-33642_7-57539392-292/microsoft-surface-vs-apple-ipad-4th-gen-vs-asus-transformer-infinity/

 

The worldwide mobile phone market declined 1.9% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2012 while Samsung (PINK:SSNLF) maintained its lead over Nokia (NYSE:NOK) and Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) as the world’s top mobile phone vendor. According to IDC’s European Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, vendors shipped 42.1 million units during the quarter, a drop of 1.9% year-on-year.

The feature phone segment continued to decline, with shipments down 30% to 14.7 million units. The segment continues to be supported by the lowest price levels: 58% of the total feature phone shipments were under the $75 price point and the fastest growing segment is for phones at half that price.

Smartphone shipments increased 26.6% year-on-year to 27.4 million units during the quarter.

（http://www.minyanville.com/sectors/technology/articles/samsung-nokia-apple-phone-smartphone-feature/9/25/2012/id/44277）

Due to the global financial crisis, the global economy is  faltering. Most nations’ economy is still not recovering. People have no strong desire for purchasing new phones. Also, they do not have the enough budget. I think the mobile phone producers may change their strategies to aim at low-end market to win more potential customers . Apple is going to produce ipad Mini, a smaller tablet computer with the lower price. I believe that this strategy will help Apple to gain more market share.