B2b Vs. B2c

In today's business world, e-business activities of various types contribute significantly to the efficiency of business processes, and to the recognition of products and services. The Internet plays a very important role in this process, as it offers numerous possibilities for communication with customers and performance of business activities. With the Internet fast becoming the platform of the day for conducting commercial activities and business transactions, it is important for companies to take advantage of information communication technologies, electronic commerce, mobile computing, and software agents. The internet has played a pivotal role in changing how business is conducted across the world. Due to economic globalization, Ebusiness has become a necessity for companies to remain competitive. It is usually possible to categorize most e-business solutions as either business-to-consumer (B2C) or a Business-to-business (B2B). This paper will explain the supply chain differences of B2C vs B2B and how they differ from one another.

Supply chain management, whether in a traditional or E-commerce environment, involves distributing products, goods and services from point of manufacture to the delivery of the final product. Supply chain management, whether related to B2B or B2C retailers involves manufacturing, storage, distribution and delivery of products and services to consumers and other businesses. In addition, the supply chain philosophy ensures that customers receive the right products at the right time at an acceptable price and at the desired location. Increasing competition, complexity, and geographical scope in the business world have led to the continuing improvements in the capabilities of the personal computer and have made the optimization of supply chain performance possible. Electronic mail and the Internet have revolutionized communication and data exchange, facilitating the necessary flow of information between businesses, suppliers and customers within the supply chain (Helms, Marilyn, 2008). B2B supply chain management is slightly more complex than B2C transactions, as B2B wholesalers, distributors and manufacturers are typically working with larger corporate entities. For supply chain management to work in a B2B or in a B2C environment, the focus must be on providing customers with the utmost in quality services. This is especially the case since in today's economy what firms are mainly selling to each other is information, not just in the case of services such as banking and digital applications, but even when the product concerned is a physical product. The real value added comes from optimizing price and specification, as opposed to the physical transfer of the product (Vasarhelyi, Miklos, 2007). The specific differences and similarities between supply chain management for B2B and B2C are explored in greater detail below.

B2C e-commerce refers to the emerging commerce model where businesses or companies and consumers interact electronically or digitally in some way. In a B2C e-commerce, the focus is more about enticing prospects and converting them into customers, retaining them and sharing value created during the process. The ultimate goal is the conversion of shoppers into buyers as aggressively and consistently as possible. The typical B2C flow of information between a business and the consumer is typically through the medium of Internet. This flow includes product orders/service requests from customers, product information, specifications and providing of services. In addition, B2C offers many benefits to both the company and the customers as well. The company can expect to see benefits such as increased demand, a low-cost route to the global market, cost reduction of promotion and sales and most importantly, overall reduced cost. Furthermore, the customers will benefit from lower process, wider choices, better information and most of all, convenience (Patton,S, 2001).

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B2B commerce is basically doing business electronically or conducting business over the internet from business to business. It is usually associated with buying and selling information, products, and services by way of the internet or by using private Helms, Marilyn networks shared among business partners. B2B also know as emarkets allow companies to synchronize activities such as product design, procurement, transportation planning, production planning, and marketing. B2B