Many of those who resist doing business on the Internet are still standing by the popular notion that e-commerce transactions leave a lot to be desired when it comes to customer service. A recent survey, however, suggests that times are changing.
For the study, conducted by RHI Managing Resources, 1,400 chief financial officers (CFOs) were polled on their experience using e-commerce. A third of the group said they looked to e-commerce to expand their customer base. One fifth believe that value-added service to customers will be the primary benefit. Seventeen percent of them said that the primary advantage was reduced operational costs. Thirteen percent said that faster service or product delivery was the biggest advantage.
RHI said that electronic commerce enables businesses to meet ever-increasing client expectations for easier access to product information, accelerated ordering and fulfillment, and
more competitive pricing. It also explained that Web-based business-to-business transactions can
also result in significant savings, particularly within a company's purchasing department. Plus, handling orders via e-commerce can promote better inventory control and enhanced cash flow.