Online Goods and Services

Topics

• Online Shops and Physical Goods

• Booking Systems• Banking• Education and Training• Gaming• News and Information S

ervices

• Auctions• On

Demand Entertainment• Software as a Service• Software Download• Data Storage• Search Engines

Online Shops and Physical Goods

• Online Shopping is also known as E-Commerce. This allows a customer to purchase goods from all over the word at anytime of day

• Customer Rights:– You are entitled to the same rights as if you bought

instore– You can return goods to the seller and request a

refund or replacement– You can cancel an online sale before the goods have

been dispatched

Online Shops and Physical Goods

• Often requires immediate payment: (Companies often ask for the CCV number of a card as proof/security)– Debit Card– Credit Card– Online payment such as Paypal

Booking System

• Customers can book for events, holidays without leaving home, thus guaranteeing their place.

• Used by; Travel Agencies, Theatres, Ticket Companies, Hotels

• Allow advanced booking and best deals• Allow specific seat reservation• Tickets can be sent via email• Comparisons with different dates/times/places

available

Banking

• Online banking has grown in recent years. Users require a username and password

• Allows customers to:– view statements– pay bills– transfer money– apply for loans/credit or debit cards/ new

accounts• You cannot take out or pay in physical money

Education and Training

• Students can now complete courses via Distance Learning

• Many adults now complete courses in this way to further/change careers

• Companies provide training or important documents on their websites for employees

• Online training reduces the costs for a company

Gaming

• Games can be online multiplayer or with online features. Downloadable content is also available to update games

• Communities often have own areas/forums• Play against anyone in the world• User accounts are needed to access• Often pay to play• Free to play offer cost upgrades

News and Information Services

• Almost all newspapers and news companies have websites with up to date and archived articles

• Streaming video also available• Some websites/articles allow comments from

visitors• RSS feeds allow instant updates if they are

subscribed to

Auctions

• Users can buy or sell items through online auctions

• Payments are usually processed through online payment (such as Paypal)

• Bids are placed on goods for a time limit.• Traders can be rated – this helps as fraud can

be an issue with no receipt of goods, or goods faulty, or wrongly described

On Demand Entertainment

• This is content which is streamed to a compatible device (Smart TV, Computer, Games Console, Tablet)

• Allows on Demand: Videos, TV. Can be watched whenever the user want

• Can be pay as you watch, or pay monthly. Some services are free (iplayer)

• Streaming: Not saved onto the device• Download: Saved onto the device

Software as a Service

• This is software which is accessed through the internet.

• There is no need to download or install making it easy to use and is often cheaper

• Can be accessed anywhere there is internet access

• No internet access means no software

Software Download

• Software available to download to a computer (no disc provided)

• Can be downloaded again for free from the site

• Upgrades also available through the internet• Often more choice than in a shop• Manuals have to be downloaded as well• Example: Steam

Data Storage

• Data is usually stored locally on a computer but can be stored online by a hosting company

• Data should also be stored to secondary storage devices for security:– USB Memory Sticks– Memory Cards– External Hard Drives

Data Storage

Local Storage• Data is kept on the

computers hard drive• No need for internet• Can only be accessed on

that computer• Data needs to be physically

backed up• Data must be protected

locally

Online Storage• Data is stored virtually by a

hosting company• An internet connection is

needed to access the data• Data is protected and

backed up by the hosting company

• Can be accessed anywhere

Search Engines

• Used for finding information on the web• Allows the user to search for word content in

websites• Use Natural Language Interfaces to help the

searches become more accurate• Display results in lists (list order depends on the

search process)• Some search engines sell advertising space on

their lists

Practice Paper

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