Why Is Glass Commerce A Pioneer in Government E-commerce?
There are 9.50 million e-commerce businesses in operation in the United States, making it the home of the world’s highest number of e-commerce businesses. These businesses account for over 36.25% of all businesses worldwide. E-commerce platforms encompass a wide range of online activities, including buying and selling goods and services, electronic funds transfers, online auctions, and internet banking, offering an unparalleled convenience, accessibility, and flexibility to both businesses and buyers. But what about government e-commerce platforms? What are they and why are they becoming more important for government operations? In this blog post, we introduce to you the scope of these so-called government e-commerce platforms that are revolutionizing the way governments make their purchases, and how we at GLASS are taking them to the next level to achieve the next generation in government procurement.
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The ABC of e-Commerce
According to Amazon, the largest U.S. e-commerce marketplace and the most popular worldwide e-commerce and shopping store, "‘E-commerce’ or ‘electronic commerce’ is the trading of goods and services on the internet.” Furthermore, in one of our blogs, we mentioned that “An e-commerce platform is a digital space that enables businesses to showcase and sell their products or services directly to consumers.”
Basically, e-commerce operates on the fundamental principle of facilitating online transactions between buyers and vendors. At its core, e-commerce platforms serve as virtual marketplaces where buyers can browse, select, and purchase goods or services from the comfort of their own devices, such as computers or smartphones. These platforms typically feature user-friendly interfaces, intuitive navigation, and secure payment gateways to ensure a seamless shopping experience. Upon selecting desired items, users proceed to checkout, where they provide necessary payment and shipping information. Once the transaction is completed, the vendor typically receives a notification and prepares the order for shipment or delivery.
Behind the scenes, the functionality of e-commerce platforms relies on a complex network of interconnected systems and technologies. Product listings, inventory management, and order processing are managed through sophisticated backend systems, often integrated with customer relationship management (CRM) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. Additionally, secure payment processing is facilitated by encryption protocols and payment gateways, ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of financial transactions. Furthermore, logistics and fulfillment operations play a crucial role in ensuring timely delivery of goods to customers, with e-commerce businesses often partnering with third-party logistics providers for efficient order fulfillment and shipping services.
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We've all operated on an e-commerce platform at some point, whether it's to purchase a product or service or to sell something of our own. Every passing minute sees the creation of e-commerce platforms with a wide variety of product and service offerings. Amazon, Shopify, eBay, AliExpress, Etsy, are well-known names to most. We all know what e-commerce is and what e-commerce businesses are, but why doesn't anyone talk about government e-commerce? Do governments not use them? Do they not need them?
Is Government e-Commerce… a thing??
Governments around the world are increasingly embracing digital platforms to streamline their procurement processes and enhance transparency, efficiency, and accountability. However, there are 2 ways to carry out an electronic government procurement process: