Salah Rubaie eBusiness Paper

8/3/2019 Salah Rubaie eBusiness Paper

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e-IRAQ – By: Eng. Salah Al-Rubaie

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E-Business, E-Government and E-Commerce

Advance Information Technology for IRAQ

ByEng. Salah Al-Rubaie




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C Contents

ONTENTS

About this paper....................................................................................................3What is E-Business?.............................................................................................4

How does it work?.................................................................................................6E-Business architecture........................................................................................7Business Process approach .................................................................................9E-Business in IRAQ ............................................................................................10IRAQI Government .............................................................................................11Banking, Finance & E-Payment ..........................................................................13Transport & Ports................................................................................................15Trade, Retail and Manufacturing.........................................................................16Other fields .........................................................................................................17Bringing E-Business to IRAQ..............................................................................18E-Business software vendors..............................................................................19

Summary ............................................................................................................20About the author .................................................................................................21




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About this paper

After years of technological isolation, it is now time to bring to Iraq state of the art

information technology systems.

This paper focuses on E-Business technologies and the huge advantages theycould bring to the Iraqi economy.

E-Business technologies are still very new or even not existent in most of theArab & Middle Eastern countries.Potentially Iraq could be in a leading technological position if the Iraqigovernment adopts E-Business across all government and non-governmentsectors.

E-Business is very widely used in the developed countries to enhance

productivity, efficiency, accuracy and security.

E-Business can be applied in all industry verticals including:• Government, all sectors e.g. Health, Finance, Defense, Industrial.. etc

• Banking, investment and finance

• Manufacturing

• Retail• Logistics

• Telecommunication

• Transport

• And many more.

E-Business is a field involving any electronic transaction over communicationchannels.E-Business could be any transaction including business to business (B2B), withinthe organization (EAI, Enterprise Application Integration) or Business toConsumer (B2C).

E-Business solutions will:

• Enhance accuracy of data

• Improve data security

• Improve productivity• Improve customer service

• Improve data accuracy and validation• Automate business processes




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What is E-Business?

E-Business (electronic business) is using technology to improve business

processes. This includes managing internal processes such as humanresources, financial and administration systems as well as external processessuch as sales and marketing, supply of goods and services and customerrelationships.

The way in which an organization manages business relationships has notchanged, but the way they are referred to when using E-Business tools has.They are becoming more often known as:

• Business to Business (B2B)• Business to Consumer (B2C) (also known as E-Commerce)• Government to Consumer (G2C)

• Government to Business (G2B).• Enterprise Application Integration (EAI)

Activities using E-Business tools include:

• Trading of goods or services online, such as E-Procurement.• Electronic retailing.• Use of the Internet, Intranets or Extranets to conduct research and

manage business activities.• Web site marketing.• Online communications, such as Web, HTTP, FTP.• Online training (E-Learning).

E-Business tools include:

• PCs• Mobile phones• Personal digital assistants (PDA)• Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)• File transfer• Facsimile• Internet\intranets.




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E-Business and Your Business

E-Business is more than having a Website for your business.Using E-Business tools can make administrative and operational activities moreefficient through:

• Streamlining your 'traditionally' physical transactions into electronictransactions, for example online banking, financial management, stockcontrol and compliance reporting to regulatory bodies such as the Taxoffice.

• Purchasing and selling without a Web presence by using eMail or eFax;• Human resources management, through the development of an Intranet

for news, policies, staff movements and enabling staff to apply for leaveand access their personnel information online;

• Customer relationship management, which integrates front and backoffice functions of an organization through electronic capabilities; and

• Using appropriate project management software.

Advantages

The benefits of implementing E-Business tools are not so much in the use oftechnology, but in the streamlining of business processes and the ease in findingnew markets.

Some of the advantages are:

• Quicker and easier communications.• Strengthened marketing capabilities and reach.• Increased hours of operation (provides 24hr 7 day information).• Access to broader information through research.• Reducing the cost of doing business by lowering transaction costs and

increasing efficient methods for payment, such as using online bankingand reducing stationery and postage costs.

• The opportunities to adopt new business models and develop tailoredcustomer support.




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How does it work?

E-Business is made possible through the use of many areas of InformationTechnology.

Recently Information Technology areas became very advanced which made E-Business solutions very efficient.

Some of those areas are:

• Database Systems

• Application Server & Web Servers

• Internet Technologies

• Security

• Databases Systems E-Business solutions are usually deployed based on standard relational

database, for example Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle or DB2.

• Application and Web Servers E-Business solutions are usually deployed based on Application Serversand Web Servers.A Web server is needed to handle internet protocols and to host webapplications.Application Servers provide J2EE container for the applications.

Not all B2B solutions require an application server; some solutions areapplication server independent, and some run on Microsoft .Net.

Application servers can perform data integrity, load-balancing, backups,and monitoring.

• Internet Technologies Interactions between originations are usually done through the internet.E-Business solutions depend on Internet technologies to support theseinteractions, for example web, http, ftp and others.In addition to internet some organizations use VPN (Virtual-Private-Network) and\or VAN (Value-Added-Network)

• Security

Data security is critical as all business data need to be secure.E-Business adopts best security practices to guarantee the security andintegrity of data.For example, data encryption, user authentication and digital certificate.




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E-Business architecture

E-Business architecture consists of activities that occur within the organizationand activities that occur outside the organization.

The following is a typical E-Business architecture diagram:

Diagram explanation:

Organizations e.g. Government, Banks, can deploy Middleware solutions tomanage internal and external business processes.Business Process Management is a term used for automated processes.

In the above diagram, the Middleware is installed in the secure LAN to manageoperations such as:

• Business to Business communication• Data Security

• Data storage (mailbox)• Translation of data.

• Data visibility

• Reports.




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The Middleware solution is the integration engine that integrates internalapplications, for example financial applications, database systems and others.

To interact with external organizations and businesses a robust security layer isinstalled to protect internal systems.

External organizations and business can send any files over any protocol. Someof the supported standards are:

Files:

• Excel CSV (Comma Separated Values)

• XML (eXtended Markup Language)• Comma delimited

• Positional

• EDI (Electronic Data Exchange)

• And others

Protocols:

• HTTP or Secure HTTP

• FTP or Secure FTP

• SOAP messages

• AS2 message• And others

All incoming and outgoing data\files can be automatically validated and

integrated with backend systems. This will ensure data quality and efficiency.




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Business Process approach

A business process is a collection of related, structured activities that produce aservice or product that meets the needs of a business.

These processes are critical to any organization as they generate revenue andimprove data quality and efficiency.

Business process management (BPM) is a method of efficiently aligning anorganization with the wants and needs of clients.

It is a complete management approach that promotes business effectiveness andefficiency while striving for innovation, flexibility and integration with technology.

A business process is usually created using a graphical modeling tool; this toolwill assist organizations to create and manage business processes (e.g. banking

workflow).

Sample business process flow:

• A Business Process (BP) will have a start and end

• Several steps in the business process will make a business flow

• Some of those steps might perform tasks like check data (datavalidation). If an error occurs, an email can be sent to a user to correctthe error.

• Some of those steps can interact with external or internal systems.




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E-Business in IRAQ

Iraq is now building its economy and infrastructure and has the potential to builda very robust infrastructure based on a solid foundation.

E-Business can be applied in all business sectors. Iraqi government andbusinesses can achieve tremendous advantages by adopting E-Business.

Some of the advantages that E-Business will bring to Iraq are:

• Ability to electronically deal with international customers e.g. suppliers,manufacturers, distrusters, banks ..etc

• Advanced Web and E-Commerce solutions e.g. yellow pages, whitepages, online airline booking … etc

• Improved speed of response• Cost savings• Improved communications, information and knowledge sharing.• Reductions in inventory• Improved efficiency and productivity• Harmonization and standardization of procedures.• Better transfer of best practices.• Acquisition of new customers and increased sales• Improved customer service.

E-Business can be implemented in all Iraqi business verticals, including:

• Iraqi Government; all Government ministries• Iraqi Banking; financial and insurance sectors, e.g. Iraqi Central Bank

• Iraqi Communication

• Iraqi Transport e.g. Iraqi Airline, Iraqi Railways … etc

• Iraqi Logistics e.g. Iraqi Ports

• Iraqi Retailers; importers, exporters, distributers, warehouses.. etc• Iraqi Manufacturing

• And others

The following pages will cover how and what benefits E-Business will bring tovarious Iraqi sectors.




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IRAQI Government

E-Business can improve Iraqi government operations and services.

Several countries around the world have implemented E-Government systems.

In a nutshell, E-Government refers to the use of internet technology as a platformfor exchanging information, providing services and transacting with citizens,businesses, and other arms of government.

E-Government can be used to:

• Improve internal efficiency, the delivery of public services, or processes.

• Government-to-Citizen\Consumer services (G2C).

• Government-to-Business services (B2B)

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Government-to- Government services (G2G)

Iraqi government can use E-Business to:

• Push information over the Internet, e.g. regulatory services and publicinformation and services.

• Two-way communications between the agency and the citizen, abusiness, or another government agency.In this model, users can engage in dialogue with agencies and postproblems, comments, or requests to the agency.

• Conducting transactions, e.g.: lodging tax returns, applying for servicesand grants.

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Governance, e.g. online polling, voting, and campaigning.

The most important anticipated benefits of E-Government include improvedefficiency, convenience, and better accessibility of public services.

While E-Government is often thought of as "online government" or "Internet-based government," many non-Internet "electronic government" technologies canbe used in this context. Some non-internet forms include telephone, fax, SMStext messaging, PDA, GIS/GPS and others.

The diagram below explains how the Iraqi government could use the internet toimprove services to citizens, Business and other government agencies.




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Some of the services that can be offered through this platform are:

• Submit businesses’ TAX data to TAX office, e.g. direct integration or viaonline secure Web portal.

• Health services, hospital supplies website, pharmaceutical services, e.g.direct integration or via Web Portal

• Moving of critical government data e.g. defense and army informationsecurely using Managed File Transfer.

• Suppliers, buyers, warehouses services for Ministry of trade e.g. WebPortals for exchange information.

• Telecommunication services, e.g. sell telecom services online (Phone,Internet, Mobile Phone, Digital Media ...etc), Yellow Pages site, WhitePages sites … etc

• Road and traffic services, e.g. Car registration services.

• Public information e.g. council services, booking venues ..etc

• Election and polling registrations

• And many more




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Banking, Finance & E-Payment

Banking and financial services are the most IT-intensive segment of the globaleconomy.

Around the world banking remains the largest consumer of IT services and thelargest spender in IT systems.

Rebuilding and automating Iraqi banking and the financial sector will have a hugeimpact on the economy.

Most banks around the world have implemented E-Business solutions toautomate internal and external banking processes.

Some of the benefits that E-Business will bring to Iraqi banks and financialcompanies include:

• Realize significant reduction in costs

• Revenue growth

• Consolidate payment channel infrastructures using Financial Gateway

• Improve customer service

• Data validation & Security of Data• Automation of data, messages and processes.

E-Payment is one area that is becoming widely used in the developed countriese.g. payment of water, electricity, phone, etc bills online.

According to global leading industry analyst:

“The back offices of payment providers contain a variety of redundant processingroutines isolated by payment type. The market demands an environment that cansupport any payment type, regardless of device, format or channel.” – Gartner

CorporateCustomers

Bank

BusinessPartners

Serve Customers Better

Improve IT Efficiency andFlexibility

Manage Partners Effectively




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Sample E-Business Banking Gateway:

Some E-Business gateway services:

• Automate movement of critical data securely within the bank, branchesand with other banks & partners

• Internet Banking Services

• E-Payment

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Data validation and integration• Web & Email notification• Support any transaction type over any protocol

• Integration with other banking backend systems.




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Transport & Ports

Moving data, integration and automation can be applied in all sections.In this section we will touch on how we can apply this to Iraqi Transport and Portsmanagement.

Transport can be very complex, as it involves moving goods by road, air and sea.

Transport companies usually receive an order to transport goods from A to B.This process could be very complex, due to the many variations and processes.

Some of those variations are:• Initial order capture

• Delivery of goods

• Warehouse operations (cold goods, fragile goods, explosive … etc)

• Payment processes• Container movements e.g. Iraqi Ports receive 1000s of containers

E-Business solutions can help simplify this process.

Different business partners can exchange electronic messages; these messagescan be validated, processed and integrated with other systems.

Sample electronic port operation:




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Trade, Retail and Manufacturing

The supplier - buyer relationship can be fully automated; E-Businesstechnologies can handle any transaction ranging from a very large multi milliondollar supplier to a very small web base supplier.

Several partner interfaces can be provided to exchange and automatemessages.

Some of those standards and messages include:

• Purchase Order (PO)

• Invoice (INV)• Advanced Shipping Notice (ASN)

• Returns

• Electronic catalogue

• E-Commerce capability (online buying capabilities)

• And many more

These technologies will open the door for massive improvements in thosesectors and could revive the Iraqi industry making it possible to exchangeelectronic messages with companies around the work.

Sample business flow:




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Other fields

E-Business can be applied in several other fields and business, some of thosefields are:

• Oil industries• Electricity Services

• Water Services

• Natural resources e.g. Gas• Tourism

• Air travel

• Agriculture

• Defense

• Intelligence Services• Boarder Security

• Science

• Education

• Employment

• Environment• Pharmaceutical & Health

• Infrastructure

• And others

E-Business will also have environmental benefits including:

• Reduction in paper use (mostly electronic media)• Reduction in car, petrol use and pollution (service can be done remotely

through the internet)




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Bringing E-Business to IRAQ

In the past 10 years the demand for E-Business has skyrocketed with more andmore organizations around the world adopting E-Business.

Around the world several trillions of dollars go through E-Business systems andgateways every day.

Iraq should strongly adopt E-Business as this is the only way for Iraq to build asolid economy that can compete and be compatible with modern globalstandards.

Iraqi Government and large Iraqi organizations e.g. Banks, Airline, Ports, Oilneed to incorporate E-Business systems and technologies as soon as possible.

It may be suggested that Iraq is not ready for this now as the focus should be onroads, building, electricity, etc. However Iraq now has the perfect opportunity to

build an infrastructure based on solid foundations, E-Business being one of thosefoundations.

E-Business can be brought to Iraq by several means, including:

• Extensive training for Iraqi engineers, througho Online training and studies (online courses, certificates and

universities)o Training can be performed by experienced overseas Iraqi

engineers to local engineers.o Implementation of E-Business studies in Iraqi universities.

• As part of E-Business implementation there will be a training program tohelp organizations to build, maintain and administer E-Business solutions.All software vendors provide this service as part of the solution delivery.

• Companies who implement E-Business can then provide training (e.g. E-Learning) to their trading partners, users and customers.

There are many E-Business resources on the internet; in addition to that Iraqiprofessionals who live outside Iraq can train local engineers remotely by usingonline sharing\training tools such as WebEx http://www.webex.com/ .




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E-Business software vendors

There are several E-Business software vendors, most of those vendors provideservices in the Middle East through Europe based offices, some of those vendors

are:

• IBM: Web Methods

• Microsoft: BizTalk• Sterling Commerce: Sterling Integrator

• Tibco

• Sun Microsystems

• And others




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Summary

E-Business has become an important factor for major businesses and companiesaround the world.

Iraqi government can put Iraq in a leading position in the region if they adoptE-Business and integrate it into all government and non-government sectors.

Iraqi government needs to implement certain E-Business guideline\standards tohelp Iraqi companies to adopt E-Business.

If E-Business was to be taken away from the world economy, it would result inmulti trillions of dollars being wiped-out, seeing the collapse of majororganizations around the word.

Iraqi government needs to act and act now to bring to Iraq 21 st centuryinformation technology systems.




About the author

Name: Salah Al-RubaieExperience: 19 years IT experience.

Current position and experience:Senior E-Business ConsultantWorking for a global E-Business software vendorAustralia

More than 9 year of E-Business experience and worked on more than 40 projects inseveral fields, some of those fields are:

:Insurance&Finance

• National Australia Bank• American Express• Reserve Bank Australia

•

NRMA: Insurance company• Mondial: Insurance company

:Government• New South Wales Health Department

• Australian Taxation Office

:Retail

• Coles, second largest retailer in Australia• Metcash – third largest retailer in Australia

• Harvey Norman: Electronic retailing

:Logistics&Transport

•

VersaCold: Cold logistics• DHL

• P&O Ports (DP World)

:Manufacturing

• Hyundai Australia• Lindt Chocolate• Huhtamaki packaging

• Colgate Palmolive• Orica

Education & Qualifications:B.Sc. Electrical Engineering, University of Technology, Baghdad - IRAQ

CCNA, MCSE+ Internet Specialist

Contact:Email: [email protected] Ph(home): +61 2 9622 4442Ph(mob.): +61 407 008 432

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