Commerce is the exchange of goods and services for a fee on a large scale.

E-commerce - can be defined as any kind of business-related activity (an exchange of goods or services) taking place over a computer network.

E-commerce differs from traditional brick and mortar business in that e-commerce is conducted through an electronic medium. In traditional commerce, information was passed by the postal system, by person-to-person contact, and by telephone.
E-commerce is the integration of communications, data management, and security capabilities that allows organizations to exchange information related to the sale of goods and services.

E-Business -

E-Business involves providing products or services electronically. The next generation of E-Commerce - it takes the individual benefits provided by E-Commerce initiatives and uses them as building blocks in a redesign of the business model.

Includes providing products or services electronically, relating to customers over the Internet, or doing business with business partners through a Web site.

It could require business wide integration of processes and systems.

E-business on the Internet

The Internet is a public access network.

The users can be anyone and everyone.

The information is stored throughout the network, not in a centrally controlled location

Recognize the current types of e-business models being applied today.

Business-to-Business (B2B) commerce is conducted between two businesses. This model is characterized by high volume lower price margins.

Transactions involve retailers, distributors, manufacturers, producers, and suppliers.

Transactions are typically with established customers, and may include online ordering, order tracking, and invoice payment.

Business-to-Consumer (B2C) ** commerce is conducted between a business and a consumer.

Products and services sites - has an online catalog, sells a product

Advertising Sites - generates traffic by providing information, sells advertising

Service Providers - Provide access services to e-commerce services. Also includes bringing services and providers together, like an e-bay

Multi vendor environments - Online shopping malls, Provide storefronts for various merchants

Virtual stores, with online catalogs, shopping carts, and payment services.

If an e-commerce site is easy to access, shopping will be convenient. Prices must remain competitive, since the online store's competition is only a click away, or it must offer additional services such as free shipping.

Consumer-to-business involves an end user who trades or sells items or services to businesses over the internet.

Both business-to-business and business-to-consumer can offer high volume and low price margins. Earlier, business-to-consumer sites were characterized by low volume and high prices, but this has changed as they have expanded their customer bases.

Consumer-to-consumer involves two end users trade or sell goods or services to one another over the internet.

The Virtual Enterprise - Parties generally share: Costs Skills Knowledge
A virtual enterprise is a temporary partnership of independent companies or individuals. A virtual enterprise is often an option because networking infrastructures can be combined, creating a business-to-business network.