| Introduction: M-Commerce, or mobile commerce, | | | | This means that if we are at a place where we |
| is a part of E-Commerce. M-Commerce basically | | | | do not have access to the internet, so we can |
| means that use of wireless handheld devices for | | | | not do anything. M-Commerce has become |
| having the trade or we can simply say that | | | | blessing for the people in many ways. As content |
| M-Commerce is the wireless web technology i.e. | | | | delivery over wireless devices becomes faster, |
| the technology enabling users to access digital | | | | reliable, more secure, and scalable, there is wide |
| information from the internet using wireless mobile | | | | speculation that M-Commerce will surpass wire line |
| computing devices or simply wireless handheld | | | | E-Commerce as the method of choice for digital |
| devices. With the help of these wireless devices, | | | | commerce transactions. Both Business to Business |
| we can buy and sell different products and | | | | (B 2 B) and Business to Consumer (B 2 C) |
| services throughout the world whenever and | | | | E-Commerce transactions can take place using |
| wherever we want. These devices have abridged | | | | M-Commerce technology. |
| the distance between the consumers and | | | | Some major challenges of M-Commerce: Beside |
| suppliers. We can assume that M-Commerce is | | | | the fact that M-Commerce is a blessing for |
| the child of E-Commerce with more technology. | | | | everyone in this generation, like all others things, |
| M-Commerce is also known as next generation's | | | | there are some limitations and challenges to it as |
| E-Commerce. Now, this statement clearly explains | | | | well. Although, these challenges and limitations can |
| us the importance of M-Commerce and we get | | | | easily be changed into blessings, but still these are |
| assured that M-Commerce is the blessing for | | | | limitations for many of its users. These challenges |
| everyone in this modern era where each and | | | | are mentioned below: |
| everyone needs fast and reliable access to | | | | 1. The keyboards and screens are tiny and |
| internet round the clock (24 by 7). | | | | awkward for a new user to use. In fact, only a |
| Following are the some main kinds of Wireless | | | | part of the screen is visible at a time on these |
| Handheld Devices that are helpful for | | | | devices. |
| M-Commerce: | | | | 2. Sometimes, the data transferring speeds on |
| 1. Palmtops/Notebooks: The most common | | | | existing wireless networks is slow. |
| example is Sun Ray. | | | | 3. Each second waiting for data to download costs |
| 2. Smart Phones (WAP): The most common | | | | the customer money. Therefore, it is too much |
| example is Nokia 8390. | | | | expensive to use. |
| 3. GPRS enabled Cell Phones: The most common | | | | 4. Most wireless handheld devices have limited |
| example is Nokia 6233. | | | | memory and power supply i.e. the memory is |
| 4. Video Game Consoles: The most common | | | | only extendable to a small extent while these |
| example is MS Xbox. | | | | devices are mostly used on battery which may |
| 5. Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs): The most | | | | need to be charged quite often. |
| common example is Palm i705. | | | | These limitations and challenges may become a |
| 6. Wireless E-Mail Handheld Devices: The most | | | | disgrace to the user but still these can not be |
| common example is BlackBerry. | | | | avoided in any case and the user has to bare |
| 7. TV Internet Receivers: The most common | | | | these any how. |
| example is MSNTV. | | | | Some Major Differences between E-Commerce |
| *(Beside these, there are number of other | | | | & M-Commerce: |
| wireless handheld devices too, but these are the | | | | 1. M-Commerce keeps us in touch with the world |
| ones that are commonly used.) | | | | wirelessly by the help of satellites no matter |
| Basically, M-Commerce is the part of | | | | where ever we are but E-Commerce usually does |
| E-Commerce but E-Commerce is limited only in | | | | not do that. It normally needs to be connected to |
| those areas where we have internet connectivity. | | | | internet by the help of wires. |
| But M-Commerce, as we can see from its name, | | | | 2. M-Commerce is always reliable and easy to |
| can be used anywhere. These wireless handheld | | | | access as compared to E-Commerce. |
| devices can be connected to the internet through | | | | 3. Wireless Handheld devices are easy to carry |
| satellite and other means anywhere and at | | | | anywhere because of very low weight. |
| anytime. As it is stated that M-Commerce is | | | | Conclusion: We can finally conclude that |
| mostly connected through the satellite, we can, | | | | M-Commerce is basically a blessing for everyone. |
| therefore, also have video and audio conferencing | | | | No matter, it too has some limitations and |
| by the help of the devices used for the | | | | challenges, one can not deny from the importance |
| M-Commerce. In E-Commerce, we too can have | | | | of M-Commerce that has abridged the gaps |
| video and audio conferences but unlike that of | | | | between everyone especially for the trade and |
| M-Commerce, we do need to have the internet | | | | business. |
| connectivity, which is not possible everywhere. | | | | |