Shopping Cart Systems

Web based shopping cart systems come in all shapes and sizes. There are custom built enterprise wide systems, and small off the shelf online stores which are resold by Web hosts. There are thousands of solutions in between. There are variations on all aspects but for this article we will focus on the sales capture and billing options.

Biller Direct Model - This approach, which supports a single company's EBPP, increases the biller's control of the entire process. It enables the biller to customize the Web experience for consumers and to control marketing messages. However, it does not provide a convenient mechanism for consumers to view statements and pay bills.

Desktop Consolidator Model - To combine the benefits of bill consolidation for customers and consumer interaction for billers, this model can be implemented through Web browsers, e-mail or proprietary PC software. Thus far, customer acceptance has been limited, in some cases because of the need to install additional software.

Thick Consolidator Model - The consumer receives all statement and billing details in both summaries and detailed formats. The presentation is integrated with a bill payment process and the consumer relationship is managed at the consolidator Web site.

Thin Consolidator Model - The consumer receives a summary statement and billing information for a number of different billers. This model can be integrated with a bill payment process to authorize payments. To view a statement or billing details, consumers must click a link to the originating biller's Web site.

Both Thick and Thin Consolidator Models provide the convenience of concentrating a variety of bills in one place. By providing both summary and detailed billing information, the Thick Consolidator is more effective in reducing the need for customer service. Where multiple consolidators are used, data may need to be provided in different formats .

On the brink - Some industry analysts believe that an emerging model will replace current models. It would follow an Internet post office approach using a hub Web site or a personal device for presentation and payment. The online connections among customers, billers, portals and financial institutions would be pervasive. To succeed, this model requires development of bill data standards, enhanced security services, electronic agents and national biller directories. In exploring what works and what does not, companies want to learn from the experience of others in implementing the power of EBPP to improve productivity and increase profits. They also want to protect their existing investments in systems and data.

In turning to Computer eCommerce, your can benefit from our total solutions. CEC's end-to-end electronic billing and payment solutions span the entire process, from bill data gathering to return of payment information to the accounts receivable file. The how-to that we provide companies is geared to real results in a rapidly changing, highly competitive business environment.