Your Home Based E-Business

in a Global Market

(May 17, 2007)

Most companies will try buying and/or selling products around the world. When choosing e-commerce software or looking for an new off-shore supplier of products for your business, check these factors, which indicate how strongly the software or the potential supplier is focused on the international market;

• Are transactions in different currencies supported?

• Is the software supported in all countries where you do business?

• Can the software handle those countries' taxation & reporting laws?

• Is the software available in languages other than English? 

Most E-Business software is Country Specific 

Warning: E-Business software is made country specific because different countries have their own tax and business regimes. Taxes are levied differently in the USA from the way they are in Singapore for instance. The software may be manufactured in one country with different versions produced for customers in each country the software is sold in. Because of their local knowledge and experience, the licensed distributors in each country may have the right to customize the program's source code so the software is usable in their country. Totally different country specific versions of QuickBooks are sold in the USA and Singapore. Some more expensive software suites like ACCPAC, MICROSOFT GREAT PLAINS and SAP etc are customizable by the user and can be used in any country. 

Other Key Elements to Consider 

• Capacity - Software may be limited in the maximum number of customers, vendors, inventory items etc.

• Reporting Capabilities – Check the software produces sufficient standard reports for your needs. If not, can you design and produce customized reports with minimal time and effort? 

• Ease of Input – You want to be able to enter information quickly and efficiently. Your system should not need excessive or uncommon operator activity that increases input time and operator fatigue. 

• Data Validation – Current software helps to prevent errors being entered by testing entries for errors, and some systems will highlight unusual quantities or irregular prices for items and show valid choices. 

• Error Handling – How well does the program stop unbalanced transactions, and are users prevented from deleting important information?

• Security - Are good audit trails attainable? Sensitive functions and reports should be protected by passwords etc. Can you specify the operations a particular user may perform and get a report that verifies when check runs and the like were performed and by whom?