'Big Blue' supports e-business in a big way

'Big Blue' supports e-business in a big way

By Zatni Arbi

JAKARTA (JP): E-business, or e-commerce, looks set to be the
next buzzword in the world of the Internet.

The Internet's potential revenue generator has been a hot
topic since the early days of Net fever. Since then, many have
succeeded in reaping substantial rewards through the Net, though
many more again have failed dismally.

The question of security has been holding back customers and
entrepreneurs alike from doing business on the Net. IBM ("Big
Blue") has been actively providing technological and service
supports to its customers for some time, to ensure that people
can do business on the Net with confidence. With big players like
IBM, Siemens, Hewlett-Packard and others providing improved
technology and software, the benefits of the electronic
marketplace may be realized sooner than many expected.

The requirements

The Internet has changed the way we live, work, learn and
play, and it seems certain to continue to change our lives.

As we move from manufacturing-based industries to a service-
based economy, the potential seems to be even more boundless.
However, the electronic marketplace is in desperate need of fast
and secure networks that will enable users to streamline
processes, shorten delivery-to-market time, open new markets,
attract new and retain old customers, connect with partners and
suppliers, abolish barriers between teams and create new
opportunities for growth.

Because of the Net's inherent complexity, no single
technology can provide the answers to all business problems.
What's needed are secure, reliable, integrated solutions, which
are based on world class technology. These solutions should also
be built out of a good understanding of the business needs that
will turn e-business into reality.

Big Blue

The Global Services unit is an arm of IBM extending into 59
countries. With 100,000 professional employees, the unit has
become IBM's fastest growing business, and the company's second-
largest source of revenue. IBM's Global Industry Solutions unit,
employing 30,000 professionals worldwide, develops tailored
solutions to companies in 12 industry sectors including banking,
insurance, health care, government, manufacturing and retailing.

As of today, IBM's offerings for e-business includes: (1)
Domino, the new Web-enabled version of Lotus Notes software for
groupwork; (2) Java Tools, a series of programs that optimize
Java for e-business; (3) Cryptolope technology, software that
will guarantee the security of document exchange and e-commerce;
(4) CommercePOINT, a comprehensive family of services that
streamlines online business-to-business and business-to-consumer
transactions and (5) Web Object Manager (WOM), a series of
technologies enabling the quick creation of dynamic, customized
Web pages for transactional Web sites, and managing network
traffic across multiple servers around the world.

In addition, the following tools are also available: (1)
Net.Commerce Payment, which is a group of products based on the
Secure Electronic Transactions (SET) standard allowing customers
to use credit cards online and ensures security; (2) IBM
SecureWay, which provides solutions for controlling network
security; (3) Datamining solutions that enable businesses to
analyze customer actions at the Web site and create one-on-one
marketing relationship with customers; (4) Web enabled
middleware, including CICS, DB2 and the MQ Series that enables
businesses to integrate existing data into new, Web-based
solutions and (5) All the necessary hardware such as servers and
workstations.

The Cryptolope technology represents an interesting approach
to security. Functioning much like an ordinary envelope, it is an
electronic container that holds an encrypted version of text
documents or electronic commodities such as music, film, art,
software, graphics and multimedia products. It can be shipped
through the networked universe faster than any courier service.
While encrypted material remains snug and protected during the
journey, a readable abstract -- describing the contents, price,
and terms and conditions -- heralds the package's arrival.

Once the recipient has agreed to terms and conditions, they
are able to open the container using special keys provided to
registered users only. IBM, as the owner of the Cryptolope, will
bill the buyer and remit payment to the content owner.

Web Commerce

Internet solutions designed for advanced Web Commerce already
available on the Net include:

1. Energy Network Exchange, a service provided jointly by IBM and
Siemens enabling electric utilities to sell excess electricity on
the Net. It provides an electronic method for the purchase and
distribution of wholesale electric power that complies with new
U.S. Federal requirements. Pacific Gas and Electric was the first
to take up this method.

2. PetroConnect is a new Web site which allows petroleum
exploration professionals to exchange critical geologic
information. Under this system, professionals can collaborate and
take advantage of its capabilities for locating and accessing
digital databases, such as maps, surveys, well logs and seismic
data, as well as for acquiring research reports, statistical
findings and industry standards.

3. World Avenue, an online shopping service on the World Wide
Web. Here, consumers can navigate intuitively, viewing a
selection of goods tailored to their needs and interests and make
purchases quickly and securely. At the same time, retailers can
create dynamic and highly customized interactive catalogs, using
a merchant's toolkit. The available tools and technology allows
retailers to capture key information about their customers'
browsing and purchasing habits -- with the customers' consent.
World Avenue enables retailers to analyze retail data quickly and
simply for micro-merchandising purposes.

The World Avenue's address is http://worldavenue.com. At the
moment you can order steaks and other gourmet foods from Omaha
Steaks, although they may not arrive as fresh as you'd like them.
Other retailers include Fragrance Counter, Gotschalk's and Avante
Jewelry. More Cyber-stores will open their storefront business on
the electronic avenue.

Many questions still linger. For instance, how will the rights
of electronic buyers be protected? IBM says that the intelligent
agents -- electronic "personal assistants" that create profiles
of individual shoppers based on past purchases, demographic
information and shopping preferences -- they have created ask for
the shoppers' consent before asking for details. But who will see
that this consent continues to be obtained before those agents
get down to work? And who will be responsible for educating
shoppers and informing them of their right not to give this
information in the first place?

Nonetheless, it's clear that Big Blue's initiatives in e-
business bring us closer to a time when we can confidently do
business from the comfort of our home.