By Colby Horton
Shop Site of the Month
Dan's Honda Service - Lake Oswego, Ore.
www.danshonda.com
This site offers an extensive appointment scheduler and thorough information on warranties, code of ethics and automotive tips. A printable night-drop information form allows a convenient way to serve customers better. The site also offers Internet customers the ability to join an e-mail list that promotes discounts and specials.
Web Wise
M-Commerce: The Future of the Wireless Web
One of the most popular Internet buzzwords during the late '90s was "e-commerce." Businesses pushed to put their products online and consumers were excited about the possibility of shopping via their home computer. But, once again, times are changing.
M-commerce, or mobile commerce, is the future of online retailing. Companies can now sell products or services over the Web through wireless devices such as cell phones or personal digital assistants (PDAs). M-commerce was created for the fast-paced world of today, offering services to consumers regardless of whether they are sitting in traffic, at a child's baseball game or on vacation.
M-commerce is made possible through wireless application protocol (WAP). This protocol is designed to enable a cell phone or PDA to connect to the Internet. The coding language, called wireless markup language (WML), turns a cell phone or PDA into a Web browser, allowing the user to surf the Internet at any venue.
M-commerce is still in its infancy stage. Wireless Web compatible phones provide links to CNN.com and Ameritrade, giving 24-hour access to news and stock information. Datamonitor, a market analysis firm, predicts that the fastest growing sector of m-commerce in the United States will be financial services, which will rise from $90 million in 2000 to more than $1.8 billion in 2004.
Familiar names that emerged in the online community are making themselves known in the mobile community. Amazon.com (www.amazon.com) sells books and CDs via its wireless service. Yahoo (www.yahoo.com) offers e-mail services, personal calendars and movie information through its wireless application. An initial PC setup is required. In addition, Mapquest (www.mapquest.com) offers driving directions through its wireless service.
Jim Laning, claims consultant for State Farm Insurance, believes that wireless connections can help decrease the amount of administrative work faced by collision repair facilities. He predicts that motorists will be able to use their wireless Web cell phones and Palm Pilots to submit claims in the future.
Some obstacles must be cleared for widespread adoption of this technology. Security concerns still plague the online shopping experience. The same concern is apparent in mobile commerce. Also, the ability to comparison shop is difficult through wireless devices. However, emerging technology by several companies is putting these concerns to rest and opening the gates to widespread adoption of mobile commerce.
Net Numbers
The U.S. m-commerce solutions market is set to reach $1.2 billion by 2005, an increase of 1,000 percent from the 2000 market statistics.
Source: Datamonitor (www.datamonitor.com)
ASA Web Ways
Register Online for the Annual Convention
Online registration for the 2001 ASA Annual Convention is now available at the ASA Web site (www.asashop.org). The convention will be held April 24-28 at the Westin Hotel on Kaanapali Beach in Maui, Hawaii. This year's convention will also coincide with ASA's 50th Anniversary celebration.
In addition to online registration, an online brochure is provided for anyone interested in attending the 2001 convention. The brochure contains general information as well as travel accommodations, activities and policies. A schedule of events and descriptions of educational courses are also provided.
Visit the "ASA Events” section of the ASA Web site to register online or access the online convention brochure. You may also call the meetings and travel department at (800) 272-7467, ext. 235 or 241.
