P2: By using contrasting businesses, describe examples of how the internet is used

TESCO PLC:

Figure 1

- UK based retailer and online shipping business. The popular retailer was founded in 1919 and has grown into one of the largest retailers in the world. Retailers offer a range of items including groceries, home electronics and DVD rentals. In 2007, the company opened its first store in the United States under the name Fresh and Easy

- Tesco has been use the internet extensively especially for the use of their customers. It is to have an online website accessible to all Tesco customers and the public. Apart from that, Tesco also use social media to promote their business online to reach a wide range of people. It allows them to reach people and let people know about new products or opportunities that may occur in the company

- Moreover, it is to maintain customer base. To store all the information about their online customers and they mainly do this by having all their information set for loyalty cards. It will help create customer loyalty to save time and show interest in delivering the particular products they use the most. They also use websites to promote their business by making the homepage look for an eye-catches to attracts more customers and makes them more likely to buy any products

AMAZON:

Figure 2

- One of the world's largest online shopping websites. The site is well-known for a wide selection of books, though the site has grown to sell electronics, music, furniture and clothing. Just like eBay, consumers can also buy and sell goods using Amazon's online market system. Amazon was founded in 1995 by Jeff Bezos and based from Seattle, Washington

- It is an online websites also where customers can go and buy a product or find a product. Also, capable of transporting the entire world which means can reach and cater to a wider variety of customers. Apart from that, they also capable of targeting a wider audience and creating a high customer base such as social media to help promote the business and new products

- Amazon also use email system to promote their customers by getting their emails from when the customer buy a product online or in store. They also use webpages to generate interesting ways to promote the products to customers to help their new products out there

PROCUREMENT:

- The internet allows businesses to get the materials and products needed to operate online from suppliers around the world. For instance, Tesco needs to buy a large amount of revenue from overseas suppliers such as tropical fruits or seasonal vegetables. It is advantageous to the traditional procurement medium as it allows businesses to compare prices versus the quality of different providers from around the globe that can increase business profits

RESEARCH:

- The internet has become the most commonly used research tool on access and various information. The research engines are a very useful to find online research but they have to use them properly

DEVELOPMENT OF ONLINE PRESENCE FOR SALES

- It is to operate online of a number of levels in order to continue to be competitive as consumers trending away from highways and consumers using internet for their shopping needs. It is imperative that existing businesses adapt to the transition from highway to online presence because this trend is predicted to continue to grow and ultimately make the path unprofitable

PROMOTION

Figure 3

- The internet provided businesses with a whole new medium to promote the products or services globally and at relatively low cost. For instance:

• Social Media
• Videos
• Banners
• Google Ads
• Product Recommendations

CUSTOMER SERVICE:

- The internet has changed the way in which businesses carry out customer service tasks as it has the potential to increase user convenience while saving costs. For instance:

• Email
• FAQ
• Video Messaging

PUBLIC RELATIONS:

- A business website an effective way to publish public relations materials at low costs, broad coverage and always accessible to internet browsers. For instance, Tesco and Amazon could publish their press release on their website side in an effort to improve their image

PROVIDING INFORMATION:

- The internet provide a variety of information to consumers and other stakeholders for various purposes. Consumers can displays a variety of current products or services, contact information, general updates, upcoming events and products and services development. As for stakeholders, annual reports, financial information and company announcements

INFLUENCING OTHERS:

- The worldwide web is an efficient tool when used by lay people or companies to influence the opinions or decisions of others. The methods of these are:

• Reviews - The products or services may have a large impact on the behavior of potential users and therefore can affect the success of the products or services
• Forums - It enables users to comment on their thoughts and opinions on specific topics of subjects that may open up discussions with other members
• Activists or Pressure Groups - It use the internet to influence public companies and others in assisting their own agenda

COMMUNICATIONS:

- The internet has become an important tool in business communications and has been used in several ways to enhance organizational efficiency. The webinar technology become an increasingly popular communication tool in the business as operations become more global and face communication becomes increasingly difficult and expensive

EMAIL:

Figure 4

- A fast and expensive way to send digital texts, images and other files around the world and has become intrinsic part of some business operations

INTRANET AND EXTRANET:

- An intranet and extranet technology that allows registered users to access files and information stored on the company's servers remotely. Intranet is a limited set of computers created for certain companies. Extranet is a limited network extending out of the company

WI-FI:

- The company use this to create a free office space by removing the needs of wires and becoming more mobile while still accessing the internet everywhere in the office such as laptops and smartphones or any devices with wireless network cards can access wireless connections

VOIP:

Figure 5

- The voice over internet protocol is a telephone serve via internet connection. It can be useful because it can have one extension to service from internet connection and phone connection. The lower costs with lots of international calls that cost about 10% of the current phone rate or depending on services may be free. VoIP does not rely on one geographical location can give any code to their number even if they are not in the location. The conference phone calls are available on VoIP connections