Operation Management

Introduction 

The business that I choose to be my project assignment is bundle business. Bundle business is the combination of several products or services into a single package. The bundle is sold to wholesale and suppliers. Some of the bundle is used clothing and some of it a new clothes that are reject clothing and old stock from any shop. There is much kind of bundles out there, local and also international. There’s clothing which consists of t-shirts and blouse, jeans, stuffed toys, shoes and even bed sheets and curtains, it still in great shape and full of stains. 

In this assignment, we have chosen one of the examples of bundle business. We chose Bolhassan Trading Company as topic example for our assignment. We explain the company overview with include when, how, where there be establish. Moreover, we also discuss on what the product there selling, where there get supplier for that product, how the production of the company after establishes until today, and who their customer. 

Furthermore, we discuss the SWOT analysis of that company that include strength, weakness, opportunity and threat of that company. We also explain what the good are or service design, capacity planning and control, and inventory control of that company. With the help of the interviewing the manager and the supervisor of that company, we gain some of the information to complete our assignment. However, during interviewing we face some difficulties where some the questions that we ask, their refuse to answer to protect their privacy. 

Company overview 

Bolhassan Trading is a family business company that established in 1977 with three branches. They are located at No. 19, Jalan Matang, Batu 2 and No. 14, Ground Floor, Jalan Khoo Hun Yang, 93000 Kuching, Sarawak. That area was the oldest Kuching City Centre, nearby to Open Air and Electra House. In 2011, they open another branch on 2011 in No. 358, 1st Floor, Jalan Satok, 93400 Kuching, Sarawak. Bolhassan is an importer and wholesaler of high quality second-hand goods from Korea, Japan, and Singapore. This company was the earliest business that introducing bundle business in Kuching. 

For the target market, Bolhassan Trading has divided the market into distinct groups of customers with different demands, and behaviour who require separate products. There cater any age people like children, adolescents, and elderly but most often their customer elderly people especially men. The location of the business is assuming an actual location. 

The Target audiences of the business are:

They have made segments of the market on the following bases on demo-graphical  and behavior  In demographics their first segment is consisted of the income factor depend on customer income. Mostly, their customers are average and low income customer. In behavioral aspect they segmented the market on the basis of quality, taste and price. The different possible segments depend on the quality conscious and combination of price and quality. 

The product their selling are bundle clothing like jeans, T-shirt, formal wear, coat, pajamas  shoes, handbag, hat, short pants, blouses, sweater, and underwear.

The worker’s Salary for 2011

SWOT Analysis 

Strength 

Good Location area 

Location planning is one of the important operations that every organisation carries. Success or failure of any organisation may well depend on the location where it is located. Therefore, Bolhassan Trading also have to plan their location in such a way so that maximum customers visit their shop. Moreover, that area are crowded place where all the Kuching people usually go there to by their things especially holidays and celebration days like Hari raya, Chinese new year and Christmas. This company also focus on the basis of several factors such as proximity to the source of raw material, cost-effectiveness, proximity to customers or suppliers, competition in the area, transportation availability and cost, availability of resources, and availability of right labor  Therefore, that company prefer locations such that it can have large customer base, transport access and availability of parking space. 

Well-known and good reputation 

The company certainly has earned a good name and reputation by its previous products and services in the market. Within 35 years there operated their business, it even more recognized by all customers in Kuching. When mention about second hand shop, there will go to Bolhassan Trading Company. 

Weakness 

No Loyalty employee 

No loyalty employee is one of the major weaknesses of Bolhassan Trading where every year there needs to look for new worker because most of their previous worker cannot stand and uncomfortable working in that company because of the work environment. From my interviewing with their previous worker, that say there cannot stand dust from clothes especially when their open a new stock. 

Not all the clothes receipt in good condition 

Sometime, some of the clothes that there receive from supplier are not in good condition. There need a longer time to differentiated the condition of the clothes. Mostly, when their get one package of bundle, only half of the product have good condition that mean it waste money. 

Opportunities 

In term of reward, it is necessary to give to employees if they have achieved better performances. Salaries will increase in help year if they are good at performances while working. During fasting season, especially for Muslim’s worker, the manager will give lunch money to the employee as a replacement of lunch pay, where in normal day, the company provide breakfast and lunch for the worker. The worker also gets commission in every celebration day. 

Threat 

In term of Competitor, there are many second hand shop in Kuching area where there sell the same types of product with cheaper price. Bolhassan have to compete with their competitor by decrease their price but they need to consider how much the price they have to put without losing profit. 

Good/ service design, capacity planning and control, and inventory control 

Good and service design 

In Bolhassan Trading, there are not producing good and service design. Usually bundle product that receipt being arrange first with different stage of quality for the arrangement of price. The quality product like T-shirt, shoes, casual wear and bag normally being wash, dry and after that the product especially T-shirt and casual wear will be iron until it look like new before it can be sell. For not quality product will be reject and sometime being selling in cheaper price. 

Job Design 

Job design consists of formal specifications and informal expectations of an employee’s work related activities. The job design should try to meet the needs of both the job holder and the organisation. Therefore each job must be practical cooperation of technical, economic, and behavioral feasibility. Santosh Jain, 2010) 

Job designing is also an important operation in Bolhassan trading. Each employee is designed a particular set of jobs. For example, some worker work in the back for opening stock, some worker assign to wash and dry the items before can be selling, some crew member work on the counter, while others look after the customers in the in front. Also there are employees who manage the entire crew worker and look after overall wellbeing of the shop. While designing these jobs the technical, economical and behavioural feasibility is taken into consideration. 

Capacity Planning 

Capacity planning is the task of setting the effective capacity of the operation so that it can respond to the demands placed upon it. Capacity planning is an important part of strategy because it establishes the overall level of productive resources. It also affects lead time, responsiveness, cost, and competitiveness; and determines when and how much to increase capacity. This normally means determining how the operation should respond to fluctuations in demand. (http://www.mas.dti.gov.uk/ Capacity planning) 

In Bolhassan Trading company, the manager have to set its capacity items in such a way that it respond quickly to the demand of those items in a day. The customer of that company mostly adults and old men, their demand on more T-shirt, Jeans and casual clothes. So the company has to make sure that items has enough stock which is very important because that if happen have a shortage of stock, then the process of demand of that items will decrease what their expected to achieve in a day.

Inventory control

The functions of inventory are to provide a stock of goods to meet anticipated customer demand and provide a “selection” of goods. It also to take advantages of quantity discounts, because purchases in larger quantities may reduce the cost of goods and delivery. The most important it helps to protect against delivery variation due to weather, supplier shortages, quality problems, or improper deliveries. (Santosh Jain, 2010) 

In Bolhassan Trading, the inventory is managed on the basis of First-In-First-Out basis. This is because most of the inventory consists of quality and not quality clothing. Therefore delivery of inventory happens two or three times a week depending on the business of the shop. Moreover inventory is stored in stock area where the worker can do the choosing of the clothing. All this activities comes under inventory management of the organisation. This because with inventory, there believe it will able to improve their customer services and reduce certain costs such as ordering cost, stock out cost, acquisition cost, and start-up quality costs. This company usually order one package bundle of each material or depends which stock is finish fast, when orders are placed outside supplier and productions departments within organization. These orders normally do it once a month or sometime two month after to order for stock. 

Layout Design 

The objective of layout strategy is to develop a cost-effective layout that will meet a firm’s competitive needs. Layout design consideration of higher utilization of space, equipment, and people; improved flow of information, materials, or people; improved employee morale and safer working conditions; improved customer/client interaction; and flexibility. Layout is the arrangement of facility to provide working, service and reception, storage and administrative areas. The layout is designed by traditional techniques using templates, scale plans, string diagrams, and travel charting as they have been proved as low-cost methods of achieving either optimal or near optimal layout plans. Poor layouts can greatly reduce the overall capacity and overall productivity. Therefore care must be taken by organisation when designing layout. (Santosh Jain, 2010) 

In Bolhassan Trading also layout designing is a very important operation. A proper layout of the area for open a new stock receives, and wash and dry place is very essential to ensure opening stock can be done in comfortable space.it also design its layout keep in mind the safety issues of their workers. It also designs layout in such a way that needs of supervision is minimised. Another factor that is considered is the cost of production which also depends on the layout. There also differentiate the women, men, and children area of clothing so that customer easy to find what there want.

First Floor

Problem or difficulties 

During interviewing, we have to face several difficulties to gain information. Firstly, we are to shy, nervous and feel awkward during interview. This is because, that was for first time ever we do interview people. We have struggled and lost out some important information because of our shyness and nervous went asking the question. Our interviews eventually get awkward at some point, even though we generally try to act casual. 

Secondly, we have difficulties to have time together doing assignment. Some our member are so busy with other assignment and class, they have all day class in days. These cause us difficulties to share information and work together. When the time we doing assignment, suddenly, some of member have to leave because has emergency problem in home. We need to considerate and tolerant about it. 

Lastly, the manager of the company refuses to answer some of our question to protect their privacy by knowing by other. We have to respect it if not their want be interviewing by us even though that question are important for our assignment. Sometimes, there not serious in answering our question, during interviewing he suddenly laughing at us and not answer the question properly, that cause us in anger but we know we has to have a patient and tolerant during interviewing. We realize this is their technique to not how we behave and handle situation like this. 

Recommendation 

Firstly, I will like to recommend to Bolhassan trading to set the standard salary level so that their can decrease the turnover in the company. The shop should consider the benefit for their employee to achieve good reputation and good performance of the workers. 

Secondly, there should expand their shop which bigger space for the comfortable of the customers and the workers. Currently, they shop to crowd with the stock of product. This is because the stores are too small it make hard for the worker to organize and do their job. Moreover, the layouts of the stores also need to change. The layout of the stores stills the same since they start up the business more 35 years ago. The layout no improvement at all, it cause the customer feels bored and they make losing current customers. 

Lastly, there should decrease the price to compete with their competitor, most of the customer prefer to go another second hand shop that offer cheaper price. It is not fair for the customer who buys second hand clothes in high price. Moreover, the price not much differentiated with the price of original product. 

Conclusion 

In conclusion, we know that to start a business, we need to considerate a lot of possibilities and need to take risk of any consequences either in financial and product quality. From researched we made about Bolhassan Trading, there are more focus on inventory control where it helps them to protect against delivery variation due to weather, supplier shortages, quality problems, or improper deliveries. 

Moreover, we conclude that operations management is very important for any organisations as they have a relationship with the overall strategy of the organisation. Operations management contributes to the strategy and therefore helps the organisation to gain competitive advantage. For instance, process planning can help the organisation reduce cost and gain cost advantages and therefore gain competitive advantage. Therefore the organisations must effectively manage the operations of the business as it has a massive effect on the strategy of the organisation. 

References 

Jay heizer & Barry Render, operation management, 5th edition, Prentice Hall 

View on 3 February 2012 

Santosh jain, 2010, Operations Management (McDonalds Case Study) 

View on 3 February 2012 

http://www.santoshjain.com/2010/11/operations-management-mcdonalds-case.html

Capacity planning and aggregate production planning 

View on 3 February 2012 

http://www.cbpa.ewu.edu/~pnemetzmills/OMch9/OMFAC.html

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, 2010, your dictionary 

View on 9 February 2012 

http://business.yourdictionary.com/bundling

John Loucks, 2002, operation management 

View on 9 February 2012 

http://www.scribd.com/doc/18005451/Slides-Prepared-by-John-Loucks

Dr John Sullivan, 2012, the Most Common Interview Problems 

View on 12 February 2012 

http://www.tlnt.com/2012/02/09/20-more-of-the-most-common-and-critical-interview-problems/

Wiscons job center, 2008, Keys to Successful Interviewing 

View on 12 February 2012

http://www.wisconsinjobcenter.org/publications/6951/6951.htm

Rohit Ahuja, 2010, Marketing Strategies of PVR Cinemas 

View on 13 February 2012 

http://www.scribd.com/doc/25477586/KFC-Research

CSC 289I: E - COMMERCE THEORY AND APPLICATIONS

DIPLOMA IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION 

CSC 289I: E - COMMERCE THEORY AND APPLICATIONS 

AUGUST2011 

ASSIGNMENT 1

INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT (10%)

Aims

In lectures, we have been exposed to various concepts of e-commerce. In this assignment you will, firstly, examine your own personal views and experience in regards to e-commerce.

Secondly, you will do a case study.

Instructions

1 Self reflection 

Have you ever participated in an online auction, purchased something online or any form of commerce related activities online? 

If YES 

• Describe any 1-2 online experiences in detail. Your description must include the website visited, the activities you performed there and the outcome. 
• The online activities you performed above, can you do them offline? Why do you choose to do the activities online in the first place? How frequent? 
• Do you have a pleasant experience? Any unpleasant experience? Benefits? Drawbacks? Problems? 
• Would you consider repeating the online experience above in near future? 

If NO 

• List all your online activities. The rate the top 3 activities. 
• The online activities you performed above, can you do them offline? Why do you choose to do the activities online in the first place? 
• Do you have a pleasant experience? Any unpleasant experience? Benefits? Drawbacks? Problems?
• Reflect: I do not engage in commerce related online because I prefer to do so in the real world and there is no need OR I have real concerns with such activities being done online. 
• Will you participate in e-commerce in future? Compile findings in report.

2 Case study on B2C e-commerce 

Visit an e-commerce website of your choice. Then critically evaluate the 

website based on the following criteria: 

Prepare questions to find information on the following areas: 

a) Business models, e-commerce type or e-marketplace 

b) Website design and experience. Use any theory you have learned. Discuss any weakness and strength. 

c) Payment method- what payment methods are used? Why? How does the online payment method work? 

d) Conclusion and recommendation – is this e-commerce website a successful one? Any suggestion for improvement? 

You are encouraged to compare your selected website with other e-commerce websites and use e-commerce theories in your discussion. 

Compile findings in report.

Introduction 

In this assignment I will, firstly, examine my own personal views and experience in regards to e-commerce and secondly I will do a case study related to e-commerce website according to what I ask to explain. I get all the information from internet and references book so that I can accomplish on time. 

In the first question, I discuss about either yes or no that have I ever participated in an online auction, purchased something online or any form of commerce related activities online. In my personal view, I never participated an online auction, purchased something online or any form of commerce related activities online. If I don’t participated with any online e-commerce, what is the top 3 online website activities that I use to go when online. In this, I explain either my online activities can do in offline or why I choose it in the first place. Lastly I am being asked to explain any benefit, drawbacks and problem on that website. 

In second question, I being ask to go choose any two e-commerce website that I think it good and will be trust by the customer and evaluate the criteria that have been made. I explain the business models, e-commerce type or e-marketplace. I also explain the website design and experience and use se any theory I have learned and discuss any weakness and strength of that website. The most important thing, what is payment method that there use, why and how does the online payment method work. In conclusion, I being ask to compare both of that website and make any suggestion for improvement.

Question 1: 

No, I never participated in an online auction, purchased something online or any form of commerce related activities online. There are 3 top online activities that I always go through went online such as Yahoo, Blogger, and Facebook. 

In Yahoo, I always open my yahoo Mail account to check and update any news or email from my friend or my lecture. Yahoo Updates keep my informed about whatever I choose to share. By requesting Updates from people or inviting them to connect, I automatically can get any Updates that they share publicly. My friends can also use Updates to keep me informed when they change their contact information, post new photos on Flickr, share reviews and videos. Moreover, I can do these activities offline if I don’t want to be disturbed by other who wants to chat with me because at that time I can focus on sending or read my email and playing games. Even though yahoo mail gives much benefit but I still concern on the security and privacy. We cannot control our privacy and security of our emails and profile data. Sometime I receive unwanted emails (spam) even I don't provide my email addresses to a third party but many free email services sell their email addresses to various marketing companies. Therefore we can't believe on the guarantees of these free emails service providers. 

In blogger, I hosting my own blog and give me a lot more freedom regarding the design with this I can share the information to everyone including my blogger friend. I do not to worry about the security effect, because when hosting my own blog on website, I can have more control over the security, and will be better able to protect my own blog rather relying on someone else to do it. Moreover, I can do these activities offline if I don’t want to be disturbed by other because at that time I can focus on create information to post in my blogger account to share with other. Even though blogger give me a freedom in share and design the pages, but it is not reliable, means that my data may be deleted at any time due to server problems and in security features and control are highly lacking. A webmaster desires has much control over the website as its possible, and free web hosting plans are badly prepared to provide. 

In Facebook, it lets me to connect with my family, friends and relatives. The popularity of the Facebook website let a lot of people registering and becoming users of the application. Because of this, the website has become a common ground for people which results to finding my old friends, relatives and family members. This makes it easier for me to interact with them, and coordinate with them. I can also post anything on my wall, this help me to tell my friends how I feel, and they are free to react with my wall post by commenting on it. It also not only can post written content, but I can also put some videos, pictures and music on my wall. At the same time, all changes in my profile will not only display on my wall but also on my friend wall as well. Moreover, I can do these activities offline if I don’t want to be disturbed by other who want to chat with me because at that time I can focus on sending or read my email, comment to my friend wall or post something in my wall playing games. Even though facebook give me a lot of benefit, but I still worry the threat of viruses that discover a storming through most of the page. There is no surprise to believe that Facebook involves several hackers who actually steal other peoples account and send viruses that will cost me a lot of money to repair my computer depending on how badly damaged it may be. 

I do not engage in commerce related online because I prefer to do so in the real world and there is no need or I have real concerns with such activities being done online. The reason why I prefer not to do online because sometime maybe went we order the item or product but went delivery get wrong product and we need returning back an incorrect item. 

Even when online shoppers do not make mistakes during the ordering process, it still possible for the consumer to receive the wrong product. This often occurs when the orders are filled by hand and a mistake is made in the online retailer's warehouse. A warehouse worker may ship the wrong item completely or may ship the correct item in the wrong size or color. Again the consumer will likely not know a mistake was made until the product arrives. Usually, the online retailer will likely take responsibility for returning the incorrect item and will ship the correct item as soon as possible. However, in some cases, this may not completely correct the problem. For example, a consumer who purchased an item for a specific event or as a gift may not receive the replacement item in time. 

In situations where the online shopper orders the wrong item as well as situations where the online retailer mistakenly ships the wrong item, there may still be a need to return something. Although this may not seem to be a big problem, it can be particularly irritating for some consumers. Online shoppers who choose to do their shopping online specifically because they work odd hours may have a great deal of difficulty returning products. The usual process of shipping the item back to the online retailer will generally involve taking the item to a post office. Depending on the hours you work, it may be difficult to get to a post office during regular business hours and may require taking time off from work to return the product to the retailer. 

Yes, maybe in future I will participate in e-commerce if the problem nowadays can be fixing, so in the future the same problem will not happen again.

Question 2: Case study on B2C e-commerce 

Beli4u online fashion boutique 

For e-commerce website I choose beli4u online fashion boutique. This is because this online shopping is the one of the most popular online fashion boutique in Malaysia. There offer a wide range of fashionable ladies wear like Korea, Japan and Taiwan fashion, sexy lingerie, shoe, bags and accessories. It also offer fashionable men wear like wallet and designer bag. At this website, we can also find some online coach bags and online shopping bags. The aim of this website is to become top of the online fashion shopping mall. Their company goal is to make you experience the best possible experience it can be. We strive to carry what products you want at the lowest prices you deserve. 

This online shopping called Business-to-Consumer (B2C). Business to consumer is electronic commerce from business to the consumer. This is commonly known as B2C throughout the internet. Ecommerce business models are the fundamental methods that show how an e-business makes money online. These are called all sorts of things by many different people on all kinds of web sites. In fact there is a lot of confusion around these online business models. 

The business model that this website using are: 

• Direct marketing is a channel-agnostic form of advertising that allows businesses and nonprofits to communicate straight to the customer, with advertising techniques such as mobile messaging, email, interactive consumer websites, online display ads, catalog distribution, promotional letters, and outdoor advertising.

• This is because they are an evolution of the more conventional brick and mortar business models.These companies are Electronic store that belong to electronic distributors that serves as middleman between the sellers and the buyers. Some specialized electronic distributors sell one or a few groups of product. 

• Full cyber marketing is companies that sell their product and services only through internet. The organization depends on a pure Internet consumer strategy for communicating with current and prospective customers to drive business results. Full cyber marketing companies are new one born in the e-business era. 

• Specialized e-mails focus only special types of items. These companies only focus on ladies wear like Korea, Japan and Taiwan fashion, sexy lingerie, shoe, and accessories. It also offer fashionable men wear like wallet and designer bag.

Mudah.my 

The second e-commerce website I choose are Mudah.my. Mudah.my is a Malaysia's Largest Marketplace. It is a simple idea where the customer can buy and sell everything and find cars, houses, mobile phones, computer, jobs, cloth and services in there region conveniently. Mostly the product that being sell to the customer are secondhand product that still can be use and sell it in low price. Mudah.my aims are to evolve as the platform of choice of users for local content in Malaysia. The service allows anyone to buy and sell in his or her region conveniently in a very simple manner. Mudah.my connects buyers and sellers in Malaysia and delivers remarkable user experience. This online shopping called Business-to-Consumer (B2C). Business to consumer is electronic commerce from business to the consumer. 

The business model that this website using are: 

• Electronic distributor belong to electronic distributors, it serves as the middleman between the sellers and the buyers. Some specialized electronic distributor sells one or a few groups of product. 

• Indirect Marketing is the distribution of a particular product through a channel that includes one or more re sellers  It not necessary to sell their own product only in the internet but also allows the customer to resell their product as long it still good and can be use. However, if the direct invisibility for the company, the product can be displayed as well-known 3rd party e-mails. Indirect Marketing includes the branding of a company, sustainability, long term orientation to customers and quick problem-solutions, chances, linked processes, a cherish association with the employees, valuable networks. 

• Full cyber-marketing is companies that sell their product and services only through internet. The organization depends on a pure Internet consumer strategy for communicating with current and prospective customers to drive business results. Full cyber-marketing companies are new one born in the e-business era. 

• Generalized e-mails deal with various categories of items and the supply item is very wide. These companies only sell secondhand product like cars, car accessories, house, land, clothing, apartment, motorcycle, mobile phone and gadgets, computer and laptop accessories.

Website design and experience. Use any theory you have learned. Discuss any weakness and strength.

Beli4u online fashion boutique

Strength

Convenience 

It enables customer to shop, do order or transactions anywhere. It allows consumer to shop at the convenience of their own home, and to save travelling stores and spend their time on other important tasks and hobbies.

Able to compare product price

With the online tools that enable product comparison, consumer can compare product prices and features to make a better decision with less effort so there can be sure what items there want to purchase and it the exact item you want.

No need for vendors and no pressure to buy

Online shopping benefits both the society as a whole and individuals. The society can save human resources when consumers help themselves by browsing freely online instead of asking for assistance from vendors. In addition, consumers are freed from the pressure to buy from the vendors and can spend more time to make wise purchase decision. 

Research capabilities 

Online merchants can publish much more information about their product on a website than they could affordably publish in a print catalog. And online stores give you the ability to share information and reviews with other shoppers who have firsthand experience with a product or retailer. As Internet connection speeds continue to increase for larger segments of the population, these types of interactive features will become even more important

Environmental Benefits 

The shopping online leads to reduced fuel consumption and air pollution, because so much of our car travel is dedicated to shopping. Plus, shopping online reduces the need for print catalogs and excess packaging. And downloadable items purchased online eliminate the need for any kind of material goods at all.

weakness

Limited time

The order and transaction will not be in 24 hour access. The customer needs to do their payment or transaction before 12am; the item will be delivering on the day itself. Otherwise it will be process on next working day.

Enjoyment of retail lost 

When the customer enjoys shopping in traditional store, they can go together with their family and friends. It is often a good way to make social connection. When shopping independently online, the enjoyment is lost.

Product category risk 

Product category risk is related to functional products such as appeal and electronics, which have function that cannot fully be experienced online. Apparels in particular had negative rating in online shopping because of it is difficult to feel and see the texture of color online that is incomparable to going to a retail store, even with magnifying tool online. Also, online shopper cannot try on clothing before buying it online, so it would be very inconvenient if the size did not fit the person and there had to return it back.

Ordering the Wrong Item 

When shopping in traditional brick and mortar stores, it is quite difficult to accidentally purchase the wrong item because the sales process typically involves you physically carrying the item up to the sales counter and paying for it. In online shopping, where the consumer never physically handles the item before the process is complete and the item delivered, it is certainly possible to purchase the wrong product. Most often this occurs when the customer uses the website to make the purchase and clicks on the wrong item or when the consumer contacts customer service to make the buy and provides a different product number or code than the one for the product they really want. Other times, the consumer clicks on the correct product and provides an accurate product number but he may still make a mistake if there are size options or different colors to choose from. This problem can be rather troubling because the consumer will be disappointed when the wrong product shows up.

The Wrong Product 

Was Delivered Even when online shoppers do not make mistakes during the ordering process; it is still possible for the consumer to receive the wrong product. This often occurs when the orders are filled by hand and a mistake is made in the online retailer's warehouse. A warehouse worker may ship the wrong item completely or may ship the correct item in the wrong size or color. Again the consumer will likely not know a mistake was made until the product arrives. Usually, the online retailer will likely take responsibility for returning the incorrect item and will ship the correct item as soon as possible. 

Mudah.my

Strength

No need for vendors and no pressure to buy 

Online shopping benefits both the society as a whole and individuals. The society can save human resources when consumers help themselves by browsing freely online instead of asking for assistance from vendors. In addition, consumers are freed from the pressure to buy from the vendors and can spend more time to make wise purchase decision. 

Infinite shelf space available 

Consumer desires a variety of product that will fully satisfy them. There is infinite variety of product available online because online shopping allows consumers to browse through product that are made in specific country without geographical boundaries

Ability to avoid the holiday rush 

The consumer has ability to avoid the holiday rush, the waiting in line, the weather elements, traffic, and having to carry all of the shopping bags around. It should, often times shopping within a mall or department store can become such a hassle that it is not as fun as it once was. Online shopping makes it fun again, depending on what you are looking for you have many options in your selection.

Variety 

The choices consumer can get for products are amazing. One can get several brands and products from different sellers at one place. There also can get in on the latest international trends without spending money on airfare. When shop online, the consumer can shop from retailers in other parts of the country without being limited by geographic area. These stores offer a far greater selection of colors and sizes than you will find locally

Buying Old or unused Stuff at low prices

Online Shops make it possible for the consumer to buy old or unused stuff at rock bottom prices. If the consumer wants to buy antiques there is no better options than online stores.

Environmental Benefits

The shopping online leads to reduced fuel consumption and air pollution, because so much of our car travel is dedicated to shopping. Plus, shopping online reduces the need for print catalogs and excess packaging. And downloadable items purchased online eliminate the need for any kind of material goods at all.

Weakness

Privacy and security issues

Privacy is the number one reason that non-online shopper do not shop online. The privacy is the top concern of customers while security ranked bottom. This proves that many customer do not trust the privacy of the internet and there concerned with their credit card funds, unwanted solicitation, and use of their information for other purposes.

Product category risk 

Product category risk is related to functional products such as appeal and electronics, which have function that cannot fully be experienced online. Especially the items is secondhand product, the seller can simply sell the product even though the product is not good and cannot be use any anymore. These types of seller will think on their own benefit without thinking other. Online shoppers are worried that the product will not be what they have expected by viewing online. Apparels in particular had negative rating in online shopping because of it is difficult to feel and see the texture of color online that is incomparable to going to a retail store, even with magnifying tool online. 

Insufficient information

The sellers provide the information about their product but it not details. Before sell the product online, they must provide the same quality and completeness of information so that the consumer will believe their product.

No human touch 

For conventional shopping, there are always sales assistants whom we can ask for advice or for help. But, for online store, customer will have to help themselves. When customer purchases something, there need some human touch and it is better to get it from the conventional stores. But if the customer confident which product their wish to buy, then should go for online shopping.

Long wait for delivery & lost items

Depending on customer location and the type of the delivery service you are paying, the waiting time can be quite frustrating. Some items can be lost as well.

No warranty

The company does not guarantee continuous, uninterrupted or secure access to the services, and operation of the site may be interfered with by numerous factors outside the company's control. The site and the services are provided "as is" and as and when available, without any warranty of any kind whether express or implied including but not limited to warranties of merchant-ability  fitness for purpose, title or non-infringement. To the extent permissible by law the company excludes all implied warranties, conditions or other terms, whether implied by statute or otherwise, including without limitation any terms as to skill and care or timeliness of performance.

Payment method- what payment methods are used? Why? How does the online payment method work? 

The payment method of Beli4u online fashion boutique is through major bank in Malaysia. Inter-bank funds transfer can be made via ATM machines or Internet Banking. Their accept payment from Maybank, CIMB Bank, Public Bank, Hong Leong bank and RHB bank. The delivery service only applies on Monday to Friday. The customer can make payment before 12am; item will be delivering on the day itself. Otherwise will be process on next working day. There will not provide delivery service on Saturday, Sunday and public holiday. Other method payment, the customer can pay via online though VISA, online payment Gateway, and MasterCard. The customer must inform them via MSN, email or SMS after the transaction. Otherwise, merchants will not be sending out on time. The customer must provide their name, address, contact number, date of payment and payment amount, which bank the customer use to pay, mode of Payment either via ATM, Online-Banking and Interbank Transfer, and order number. The online transfer method will only valid for 3 days that way the customer must inform to them immediately after transaction. This is because there want keep all of their purchasers informed in respect of the lapse of grace period. If not after order shall be automatically being cancelled in the event payments still remain unpaid. There also accept credit card payment via ipay88 for all orders. For Mobile88 payment there will be notified of the customer payment from ipay88 directly. The customer can find more information by visit their website “www.ipay88.com.” 

The payment method uses by Mudah.my are through credit card, online transaction and PayPal. Mudah.my is partner PayPal where is safe online payment. It one of Malaysia base online trading marketplace starts to use PayPal a most trusted payment method internationally for an option in online payment among consumers who used their platform to trade. These safe options could draw a lot of traffic to their website to advertise and shopping online. Selling and buying can now conduct transactions through PayPal which ensures rigorous safety screening and follow-up services are put in place. 

All payments for purchase of any Premium Service shall be made either by PayPal, Credit Card and Maybank2U Bank Transfer only. This Premium Service Option can be purchased during insertion of advertisement or at 'Manage Ad' option after the advertisement has been approved and published on the Website. Payments shall be made at the time of submission of the individual User's advertisement listing for review, together with the "Insert Ad" form. Users are fully liable of checking the lifespan of their advertisements in advance prior to purchasing premium services as the premium services lifespan does not increase the lifespan of the published advertisement. The Company bears no responsibility of compensation in event the lifespan of the advertisement is shorter than the premium service purchased. The Company reserves the right the revoke published advertisements including advertisements that have purchased premium services if deemed and proved to violate the Company's Rules for Advertising.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, we know that Beli4u online fashion boutique website is better than Mudah.my. This is because it very simple and easy to understand by the customer. It also has good quality of information about their product to advertise and promote to the customer. The navigation features is very user friendly, colorful, complete, very detail and convenience. It enables customer to shop, do order or transactions anywhere. It allows consumer to shop at the convenience of their own home, and to save travelling. The payment method also gives customer variety of choose which bank their want to use to pay the order transaction. This is because; the payment method is through major bank in Malaysia including Inter-bank funds transfer can be made via ATM machines or Internet Banking. Their accept payment from Maybank, CIMB Bank, Public Bank, Hong Leong bank and RHB bank. 

Even though, it enables customer to shop, do order or transactions anywhere but the design in mudah.my is very old, never improve. It will not attract new customer to purchases or buy product from this website. It also doesn’t have warranty of non-quality product, and the customer easy to be cheated. Especially the items is secondhand product, the seller can simply sell the product even though the product is not good and cannot be use any anymore. These types of seller will think on their own benefit without thinking other. The company does not guarantee continuous, uninterrupted or secure access to the services, and operation of the site may be interfered with by numerous factors outside the company's control. 

Recommendation 

In my suggestion, the apparel online shopping must be improved. Although it is not yet widely used, there should created are developing 3D technologies to use for online shopping. There can also developed customized fitting room for many types of clothing as possible, try on application that will allow their customer to apply multiple layers of clothes. Moreover, the most important issues on the privacy and security issues. Consumer who perceives fewer risks or concern toward online shopping are expected to make more online purchases than more risk-laden consumer (Miyazaki & Fernandez, 2001, p.31). Although it is possible to involve one privacy online, no significant amount of statistical result relating to the victim who has been invaded, has been found. Many are simply concerned and mistrust online stores. What online stores need is the mechanism that signals security of financial transactions on the web. One possible solution is to require website makers to provide a third party seal approval that signal privacy on their websites. Thus when consumer see the seal, they can trust the website and not worry about invasion of their privacy. Moreover, all companies will desire to keep frauds away in order to build company reputation and to survive in the competitive online market. Once they build consumer trust, online shoppers will not be discouraged to shop on their website. 

My advice to the Mudah.my website are they should provide clear and sufficient information so consumer can make an informed choice, take reasonable steps to ensure the consumer’s choice is informed and intentional to avoid mistakes and misunderstanding. The most important, they should publish privacy statement and protect personal information, and use secure e-commerce transaction system with fair, timely and affordable methods to resolve transaction problem. Moreover, they should offer third party references about safe use of e-commerce and exhibit terms and conditions (warranty, guarantee, currency used and quality) clearly. Meanwhile, The transaction such as delivery speed and providing tracking number can also significant condition that will be satisfy by the consumers (Limayem, Khalifa & Frini, 2000). This is because all the consumer expect to receive the product with high speed, and want to be able to track their purchased item to avoid any frauds while shipping. 

References 

10 benefit of hosting your own blog February 2, 2009 

View on 10 October 2011 

http://www.blogtrafficexchange.com/10-benefits-of-hosting-your-own-blog/

Diana, Benefit of facebook updated on September 5, 2011 

View on 10 October 2011 

http://benefitof.net/benefits-of-facebook/

4 Disadvantages of Using Facebook, Copyright © 2008 - 2011 Factoidz.com 

View on 10 October 2011 

http://factoidz.com/4-disadvantages-of-using-facebook/

Mudah.my Sdn Bhd 

View on 10 October 2011 

http://www.mudah.my

Beli4u online fashion boutique 

View on 11 October 2011 

http://www.beli4u.com/room/

WebDynamic, Business to Consumer (B2C) 

View on 11 October 2011 

http://www.webdynamic.com.au/internet-marketing/business-to-consumer-b2c.html

Direct marketing from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 

View on 12 October 2011

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct_marketing

Jin, 2005, Advantages/ disadvantages online shopping 

View on 13 October 2011

http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~jinnie/advantage.html

Bruce Tognazzini, 2004, AskTog, Top 10 Reasons to Not Shop On Line 

View on 14 October 2011

http://www.asktog.com/columns/062top10ReasonsToNotShop.html

Jamie Jefferson, 2004, benefit online shopping 

View on 15 October 2011 

http://ezinearticles.com/?Benefits-of-Online-Shopping&id=300201

Anamika S, 2008, top 10 benefit of shopping online 

View on 16 October 2011 

http://anamikas.hubpages.com/hub/Online-shopping-sites-benefits

Pierre Belanger, 2007, common problem when online shopping 

View on 16 October 2011 

http://ezinearticles.com/?Common-Problems-When-Online-Shopping&id=861979

Yan, 2010 Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Shopping

View on 17 October 2011

http://moneymagnet2.blogspot.com/2010/05/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-online.html

Jin, 2005, Online shopping solution 

View on 20 October 2011 

http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~jinnie/solutions.html

All About Air Asia related to E-commerce

Introduction

In my assignment, I use Air Asia as an example of an e-commerce company where it was voted as the most popular website for online shopping that makes it as the first airline company applying e-commerce in Malaysia

Air Asia Berhad is a Malaysian-based low-cost airline where it was the largest low-fare, no-frills airline and a pioneer of low-cost travel in Asia. Air Asia group operates scheduled domestic and international flights to over 400 destinations spanning 25 countries. Its main hub is the Low-Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). Air Asia is using e-commerce to promote and sales ticket through online. Passengers can make booking directly and buy tickets through online and just use a booking number to check in. The website also available in seven different languages, including four on its Malaysian site and registered members also receive promotions online though e-mails.

Background of Air Asia 

Air Asia was established in 1993, but began operations on 18 November 1996. It was originally founded by a government organization known as DRB-Hicom. On 2 December 2001 the heavily-indebted airline was bought by former Time Warner executive Tony Fernandez company Tune Air SDN BHD for the token sum of RM 1 with 40 million worth of debts. However, Fernandez turned the company around, producing a profit in 2002 and launching new routes from its hub in Kuala Lumpur, undercutting former monopoly operator Malaysia Airlines with promotional fares as low as RM 1.

In 2003, Air Asia opened another new hub at Senai International Airport in Johor Bahru and launched its first international flight to Bangkok, Thailand. After that, it also added Singapore itself to the destination list, and started flights to Indonesia. In addition, flights to Macau began in June 2004, and flights to Xiamen, China and the Manila, Philippines in April 2005. The flights to Vietnam and Cambodia followed later in 2005 and to Brunei and Myanmar on 2006.

Air Asia took over Malaysia Airline’s Rural Air Service routes in Sabah and Sarawak in August 2006, but it is operating under the Fly Asian Xpress brand. After a year, the routes were returned to MAS Wings because of commercial reasons. Tony Fernandez subsequently established a five year plan to further enhance its awareness in Asia countries. Under the plan, Air Asia wanted to strengthen and enhance its route network by connecting all the existing cities in the region and expanding further into Vietnam, Indonesia, Southern China and India. In addition, Air Asia will focus on developing its hubs in Bangkok and Jakarta through its sister companies, Thai Air Asia. With increase frequency and the addition of new routes, Air Asia expects passenger volume to reach 18 million by the end of 2007.

Functions of Air Asia 

Air Asia is the first airline which introduced online booking system in Malaysia. Online booking system refers to making online, real time, internet bookings for such things as flight, hotel rooms or even theater ticket. The number passenger of Air Asia has increased from 200,000 to 350,000 after Air Asia was introduced the online booking system to their clients. Furthermore, Air Asia also became the second largest airline in Asia to go completely ticket less after Sky mark Airline in Japan. 

One of the advantages of buying airline tickets online is the convenience of doing it inside your house without having to drive all the way to a travel agency office in the city. Within a few clicks, you are already taking out your credit card and preparing to confirm your booking. After few minutes, the ticket confirmation is already arrived in your mailbox. In addition, the airline websites have the facility to compare airline ticket prices across many different days. You just simply specify your date and time of travel and the search engine will do the rest. This saves your time of having to visit each and every date in order to get a best deal of flight ticket.

Air Asia also provides web check-in service to their customer. Web check-in is refers to the service that used internet to check-in and print the boarding pass through the website or download it to the mobile. Use the web check-in and save the time you would spend in queues at the airport because web check-in allows you to check in between 23 hours and 1 hour prior your departure. There is another benefit of web check-in which you can drop off your baggage quickly at the separate counter.

Process on how Air Asia do their online transactions online

If you have been thinking of where to go for your vacation in Malaysia, allow us to give you all the best suggestion for Online Ticket Booking according to research. That is the Air Asia Online Booking because Air Asia.com is the Malaysian world’s best Low-Cost Airline, which offers flight, planes, corporate information and Online Booking. Air Asia is a regional airline that is serving in Malaysia and south-east Asian destinations. At AirAsia.com, online booking process is easy & fast and within a 6 minute simple steps you can confirm your flight ticket

In the Asia, AirAsia is founded as low cost travelling. There is number of things to choose your travelling destination with AirAsia, including country, where you want to visit and language. AirAsia is the first airline in Malaysia which has implemented fully ticket less travel and unassigned seats.

How to do Air Asia Online Booking? 

Go to the AirAsia.com website where you will find 5 easy steps to learn how to book your flight(s) online. If you want to book the ticket at Air Asia, you can go online at the Air Asia website and require following a few easy steps to complete the ticket booking process. 

AirAsia Online Booking is done in five easy Steps as mentioned below. 

1. Search: Click on the “search” button to choose your trip type like Return Trip or One Way trip the corresponding text boxes.
2. Select: Your second step is you have to choose a Departing Flight Date or Return Date with the chosen fare & time.
3. Guest & Contact: Then click on this option to choose your Number of Guests or Infant in the matching text boxes. 
4. Payment: Now, you will come on the most important step number 4. With the Air Asia Go Insure Premium amount, the name of guest(s) will be displayed.
5. Itinerary: Your Flight Itinerary will be displayed on the screen and sent to your email after once the payment has been processed. 

Advantages and Disadvantages of e-commerce relate to Air Asia 

E-Commerce is the process of buying and selling supported by the electronic means, primarily the internet (Anonymous, 2005). In others word, e-commerce is the process of buying, selling and distributing over internet. E-Commerce also has advantages and disadvantages when using it. 

Advantages of e-commerce relate to Air Asia 

Convenient and save time 

Air Asia has provided an online service where it allows customer to book air ticket without needing the customer buy through the third-party or through agent anymore (Sxuan, 2012). Through this service Air Asia has provide their customer with an easy way to book air ticket through online and this has resulted in helping the customers to save more time because they does not need to travel to the airline counter, to queue and aisles for the parking space to buy ticket at the counter. It is very convenient for the customer from everywhere in Asian countries to book air ticket online whenever they wanted to access to the webpage. 

Other from that, Air Asia website also provide a search engine on their website for the customer who wanted to book their ticket online with the help of this search engine they only need to fill up their travel destination, numbers of people go to travel, either is one way trip or return and the result will come out with a click on “search” which this has bring a differentiation from others airline company (Sxuan, 2012). 

Save cost 

Air Asia is mainly concentrate on online bookings and ticketless travel which allows it to have a lower distribution cost (Wong, 2009). They try to maximize their profit and offer quality service at low prices. By operating a faster turnaround time to improve the utilization of aircraft and the crew efficiency, by providing “ no frills” service, by using only one type of aircraft to save the training costs, which it has help the airlines company to minimize their costs by benefit their customer with a lower fare when travel with them (Dusamo, 2003). 

From the seller point of view, it is more save cost for Air Asia to practice the direct sales model as compared to go through the travel agents or third-party. Because using e-ticket is cheaper than printed tickets and it helps the airlines to collect a higher sales percentage over the internet. In order, to operate a low-cost airline they have to avoid from travel agency commissions and ticket production costs (Dusamo, 2003). In addition, the airlines have to concentrate their product sales through internet their operation cost will be lower. As they no need to pay additional wages because most of the operation is done through online (WONG & Cary, 2009). The benefit that e-commerce bring to the airline is helps to lower down their airport fees, maintenance, cockpit training and standby crews due to homogeneous fleet. From the customer point of view, they no need to hassle and have long queue to collect their ticket at the counter anymore as they only need to access to the website to book their ticket by “clicking” on through the pages. This has resulted more save cost as compared with traditional way to travel using other alternatives such as by bus or ferry. This has offer the customer lower cost option rather than buying a printed ticket at the counter (Dusamo, 2003). 

Reach a wider customer base 

Air Asia has operating their business using online services which they allow their consumer to book their ticket over the internet without intermediaries or third –party such as travel agent to book ticket. As the airline operate under the online services they can reach a wider customer base at any countries only through internet where most of the consumers can book their ticket through online without through a third-party. 

As Air Asia is an online travel company that offer air tickets, holiday packages and hotel bookings in Asian countries (Lam, 2011). It provides flight, planes, corporate information and internet booking for both domestic (Malaysia) and international countries (Matt, 2010). It allows consumers to book their flights through their website (Airasia.com) (HubPages Inc., 2012). Although, their website only provides travel booking either a one way trip or return only. But, the customer who wish to travel to more than one place they also can make multiple separate bookings to reach the destination of their choice (www.lcct.com.my., 2012). 

Reduction of Marketing and Advertising Costs 

With the changes on the new digital technology in this world has helping the world moves from the traditional advertising and through technology it can help us to reduce our advertising cost. Which now Air Asia has opened up a unique and effective way to reach the wide range of customer bases called the Airspace advertising with this space they can post any offering or promotion on the pages also or any offering that they wanted to offer to the public without paying any advertisement cost on it. Air Asia can post any advertisement on their website homepage (Airasia.com). For example, the promotion on the ticket fare. Consumers that visit the webpage can easy to see the advertising and click on the advertisement to know more about it. The consumer might get attracted by the promotion that posted on the Air Asia webpage and book the ticket to vacation (Sxuan, 2012). 

Through E-commerce Air Asia can reduce their advertisement cost because their consumers can connect directly with the company website (WordPress.com., 2009). Since, Air Asia posted their promotional activities directly over the online. For example, through the email alerts and desktop widget that jointly developed with the Microsoft for new promotions (WordPress.com., 2009). 

Disadvantages of e-commerce relate to Air Asia 

Privacy and security 

When the customer makes an online purchase, there need to provide personal information such as an address, telephone number and banking or credit card account information to purchase. Unfortunately, some of e-commerce websites are not able to harvest other information about the customer online behavior and preferences. This could lead to credit card fraud, or worse, identity theft. Moreover, it causes many people feel making an online purchase does not compromise their personal information, there still prefer not to take a possibility of having their account information accessed by a third party, and will only make their purchases at a store rather than online purchase. 

For example, in Air Asia, security continues to be a problem where the privacy policy is not a contract and does not create any legal rights that make some of the customer doesn't feel confident about the integrity of their personal information and the payment process from online. Air Asia is well known with the cheap, no-frills flight service with the brilliant slogan ‘now everybody can fly’. However, some of the Air Asia customers complain that Air Asia has violated the law of privacy by sharing personal information to third parties where has complaint pertaining that about some of user personal information such as I.C. no. and full name was obtained by anonymous company (KambingBujang.com, 2008). 

Payment services 

E-commerce is often performed using bank account, PayPal and credit card facilities as a payment method for every transaction that be performed in online. According to Tyler Lacoma (1999), online payment systems are new and global in their perception, problems can occur when it comes to applying them to all e-commerce company. Some types of payment that userused to pay may not be available in other countries, even when purchasing online from those countries is an option. The e-commerce company can also struggle to match up the values of different currencies or different types of bank accounts that user are using. 

For example, in Air Asia some of American credit cards cannot be used by the user to make payments for booking the ticket flight. According to Cassandra James (2006), the Air Asia new payment system causes some of the American credit card cannot be used and take a long time for booking the ticket. She says that last time she has no problem using debit card and credit card to make payment until the new payment system come out, all her payment using it being declined and she has to take a long time to check to her bank and she attempts on Air Asia's website later, the payment finally went through. 

Insecure Password 

According to Wong (2009), some of the e-commerce website company was recently being hacked, with all user passwords stored in plain text was stolen above 32 million accounts. This is an awful security lapse, not just because it compromises user account, but because many users use the same password across multiple sites, so a file containing emails and plain text passwords means that the attacker can compromise a great many of these accounts for all those people across the web. 

For example, it has problem on Air Asia systems where they're used plain text password. They're using the same password with same high security password, like email or bank account login. According to Juzhax (2011), the password that has plain text and no encryption is insecure where the password can easily be read from the hacker. One there gets the user password, they may try to access user email or other sites what the user login, because they can search username in Google. Inside the Air Asia system, they do allow used to store the credit card number inside, where the user credit card number maybe leak out to by the hacker. 

E-commerce is not free 

According to Emily Lonigro, (2011), every e-commerce site has these three pieces such as gateway, shopping cart, and fulfillment. Build a shopping cart to a client's specification is very expensive. Most carts are third-party and charge a monthly fee; therefore it has varying levels of difficulty and customization. In Gateway, it is the payment processor where it takes payments and puts them into a bank account. It connects the shopping cart with a processing network which checks for the necessary funds and either authorizes or denies payment where the fee is usually a percentage of the sale, around 3%. In the Shopping Cart, it is the site utility that collects items, deals with shipping, and handles other custom items like gift cards and custom messages. This utility sends the orders to fulfillment and the credit card details to the gateway. It's usually a monthly fee. In Fulfillment, it is the place that processes and ships the orders. This will cost of time, money, or sometimes can be both. 

For example, Air Asia is known the cheapest airline industry compare to another airline. The Air Asia uses e-commerce to promote their sales promotion on ticket prices, where it is more expensive way to promote. Therefore, Air Asia has to spend more money to pay for e-commerce business to promote their ticket promotion where they also need to pay worker salary, government tax, supplier, equipment, services, and facility. If their ticket sales drop in future, it will affect them where there has problem to pay all the payment include the e-commerce fee. 

References: 

AirAsia Berhad, Anuual report, (2005), published on 2005, http://announcements.bursamalaysia.com/EDMS/subweb.nsf/7f04516f8098680348256c6f0017a6bf/c0d36f65e4e38633482570a8002c9ffb/$FILE/AIRASIA-Cover-FinancialView-CorpInfo(798KB).pdf, viewed on 26 March 2012. 

AirAsia, (2012), AirAsia.com, viewed on 27 March 2012, from: http://www.airasia.com/my/en/home.page 

AirAsia, (2012), What is low cost?, viewed on 1 April 2012, from: http://www.airasia.com/my/en/corporate/irwhatislowcost.page 

Ajeet. K, (2012), Disadvantages of E-commerce, viewed on 28 March 2012, from: http://ecommerce.about.com/od/eCommerce-Basics/a/Disadvantages-Of-Ecommerce.html 

Anonymous, (2005), Air Asia: Every One can Fly: E-COMMERCE, viewed on 16 March 2012, from: http://elsalwa.webs.com/ecommerce.htm 

Cassandra. J, (2006), Air Asia's online booking system has problems - Some American credit cards cannot be used, viewed on 9 April 2012, from: http://www.examiner.com/asia-travel-in-national/review-air-asia-s-online-booking-system-has-problems-some-american-credit-cards-cannot-be-used 

Dusamo. S., (2003), EVALUATING STRATEGY FOR E-COMMERCE IN AIRLINE INDUSTRY: A CASE STUDY OF AIRASIA, viewed on 16 March 2012, from: http://etd.uum.edu.my/1433/1/SAPINA_BT._DUSAMO.pdf 

Emily. L, (2011), Why are custom ecommerce sites so expensive, viewed on 9 April 2012, from: http://www.limeredstudio.com/blog/why_are_custom_ecommerce_sites_so_expensive/ 

HubPages Inc., (2012), Budget Airlines in Southeast Asia 77, viewed 24 March 2012, from: http://lostinasia.hubpages.com/hub/Cheap-airlines-South-East-Asia 

Juzhax, (2011), AirAsia is using plain text passwords, viewed on 8 April 2012, from: http://www.justin.my/2011/01/airasia-is-using-plain-text-password/ 

KambingBujang.com, (2008), Your Personal Information May Not Secure When You Travelling With Air Asia, viewed on 9 April 2012 from: http://kambingbujang.com/2008/04/04/your-personal-information-may-not-secure-when-you-travelling-with-air-asia/ 

Lam T., (2011), AirAsia and Expedia offer steep travel discounts, viewed on 24 March 2012, from: http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/life/airasia-and-expedia-offer-steep-travel-discounts-152253 

Lazarus, (2012), Disadvantages of E-commerce, viewed on 28 March 2012, from: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Disadvantages_of_using_e-commerce 

Matt G., (2010), South-East Asia Directory, viewed on 24 March 2012, from: http://hwebb.freeservers.com/atrans.html 

Network Solutions, LLC, (2012), What is e-commerce, viewed on 9 April 2012, from: http://www.networksolutions.com/education/what-is-ecommerce/ 

Peter. W, Thomas. W. M, Victoria. T. D, George. H, & Stephanie. W, (2005), Do Some Business Models Perform Better than Others - A Study of the 1000 Largest US Firms, viewed on 6 April 2012, from: http://ccs.mit.edu/papers/pdf/wp226.pdf 

Philosophy, Background of AirAsia, (2009), Background Of Airasia: Company background, viewed on 26 March 2012, from: http://nyessay.com/philosophy/background-of-airasia/ 

ScribedInc, (2012), E-Commerce AirAsia, viewed on 9 April 2012, from: http://www.scribd.com/doc/24332975/E-Commerce-AirAsia 

Sxuan, (2012), Review of Air Asia.com, viewed on 16 March 2012, from: http://world-of-ecommerce.blogspot.com/2009/07/review-local-transactional-e-commerce.html 

Tyler. L, (1999), Advantages & Disadvantages of E-Payment, viewed on 9 April 2012, from: http://www.ehow.com/info_8188352_advantages-disadvantages-epayment.html 

Videcom, Airline Reservation System, (2012), Videcom Airline Reservation System, viewed on 27 March 2012, from: http://www.videcom.com/general_overview.htm 

Wikipedia, Airport check-in, (2012), Airport check-in, viewed on 27 March 2012, from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airport_check-in 

WONG P.M. & Cary (2009), AirAsia.com: Project Studies – Enabling Technology in Airline Industry, viewed on 22 March 2012, from: http://www.skcs.hk/AirAsia.pdf 

WordPress.com., (2009), my oum assignment: CBMT 2103 – introduction to multimedia, viewed on 22 March 2012, from: http://myoum.wordpress.com/ 

WordPress.com., (2009), the AirAsia Company strategic management: “ How AirAsia can be a leader in the lowest cost carrier in the airplane industry”, viewed on 22 March 2012, from: http://itsaboutmymot.wordpress.com/2009/08/31/the-airasia-company-strategic-management-%E2%80%9C-how-airasia-can-be-a-leader-in-the-lowest-cost-carrier-in-the-airplane-industry%E2%80%9D/ 

Wong. Z. H., (2009), Example of E-Commerce Success – AIRASIA, viewed on 16 March 2012, from: http://bact6ecommerce.blogspot.com/2009/01/example-of-e-commerce-success-airasia.html 

www.lcct.com.my., (2012), AirAsia FAQs – Booking, viewed on 24 March 2012, from: http://www.lcct.com.my/help/faqs/airasia-faqs-booking 

Wong. Y., (2009), Encrypting Your Plaintext Passwords, viewed on 9 April 2012, from http://algeri-wong.com/yishan/encrypting-your-plaintext-passwords.html