E-Government in Malaysia:Its implementation so far and citizen's adoption strategies

I believe most of you had been accessed to e-government website in Malaysia such as checking PMR result, National Service (NS) name list, summon, and others. This blog will going give u more information about e-government.

Definitions of e-government range from “the use of information technology to free
movement of information to overcome the physical bounds of traditional paper
and physical based systems”1 to “the use of technology to enhance the access to
and delivery of government services to benefit citizens, business partners and
employees.”

The implementation of e-goverment started since intiated of Multimedia Super Corridor(MSC)by the Malaysian government. Most of the e-government project implementations are are currently in progress.

Generic Office Enviroment(GOE)

Generic Office Enviroment (GOE) is introduce a fully intergrated, distributed and scalable office enviroment that leverages use of multimedia technology.This will enable efficient communication , allowing collaboration among all workers, and ensure the right information reaching right people in the right time.

Electronic Procurement (eP) Project

eP Project is to re-engineer, automate and transfrom current procurement system. The project will cover central contract, tender and direct purchase. Besides that, the use of eP will increase transparency, save time and money when encourage supplier to go electronic and join the K ecomomy.

Human Resource Management Information System( HRMIS)

HRMIS will provide a single interface for government employees to perform human resource function effectively and efficiency. In addition, it will help to standardize all human resource process for federal, states, statutory body, and local authority sevice. The objective of HRMIS is not just for record keeping but also privide transaction functions such as leave application, loan processing and selection of employee.

Project Monitoring System ( PMS )

t is one of the e-government projects that create mechanism to monitor project implementation throughout government agencies. It would provided platform to exchange ideas and demonstrate best practices in information management and communication services. It consists of Application Services, Data Services and Communication Services.

Electronic Services Directory ( eServices )

It is a pilot project that allows Malaysian to engage in transaction and utility payment such as telephone and electricity bill, police summons, Road and Transport Department ( RTD ) services. The eService is accessed via multi channel service delivery like the internet and kiosk machines. For example, Rilek services. It allows public members to access general information on outstanding summons via touch sreen infokiosk. Please log on to http://www.rilek.com.my/ for more information. Driver licensing and summons services is one of the deliverably phase for the eServices project.

Electronic Labor Exchange ( ELX )

This projects help to improve mobilisation of human resource optimize work force utilisation via syatematic matching of job seekers to job vacancies. So, Ministry of Human Resource is to be a one-stop centre that contains labor market information accessible to the public.

Citizen’s adoption strategies

1. Customer satisfaction

E-Government adoption requires that citizens show higher levels of satisfaction with the online service provided by the government. A higher level of customer satisfaction will increase the rate of e-Government adoption.

2. Service Quality

Online service quality for e-Government could be measured in terms of quality of content provided on the website, the speed of the response to the citizens concerns with problem solving approach, and the availability of names. Other important measurement factors are telephone and fax numbers of personnel with whom citizens might need to get in touch, and the integration of an offline channel with online channel so that citizens could interact with government departments through other means if necessary. Higher quality of service will lead to higher levels of customer satisfaction and thus can increase the use of e-government services.

3. Website Design

Personalization of websites, customization of product offerings, and self-care are the three key features that could be used not only to build relationship with the visitors, but also to enhance their experience. These features give visitors a sense of control and participation and could potentially enhance their adoption

4. User Characteristic

User characteristics such as perceived risk, perceived control, and internet experience can have a direct impact on internet adoption. Experience influences a citizen’s trust of e-Government. Users with prior experience, especially if satisfied, would be more likely to return to use e-Government services. Perceived risk leads to security and privacy issues that could discourage the use of online services. It is important to ensure that citizens can transact online securely and their personal information will be kept confidential to increase the level of trust and the e-government adoption rate.

Review a local e-commerce site:NetBuilder

NetBuilder (M) Sdn. Bhd. is officially established in 1999, a rare Internet services provider who overlooks the Technology Bubble until the current pragmatic practice of E-commerce development.

They offer services such as:

Online Payment - Some companies in Malaysia are facing difficulties in receiving online payment because Malaysia has been blacklisted by several international major online payment providers. NetBuilder is dedicated to provide solution on receiving online payment for business. The services can be further categorized into two - local financial instituitions and international online payment provider (such as PayPal, WorldPay).

Website Development - They help to design website for various purposes for their clients. There are 3 type of packages offered: Weblite Package (for corporate or personal website); ECwebsite Package (for display or sell products online); and Portalwebsite Package (for online community and content-rich website).

Online Marketing - Netbuilder know-how on variety of the online marketing channels which can be applied in different industry and budget.

Besides that, NetBuilder also offers products like:
MyMall - This is an e-catalog and online shop. MyMall is currently FOC(Normally this system worth RM10,000+ on the market) as long as you are a subscriber of NetBuilder WebStation or WebPro Hosting package.
Xoops MyMall Module - A content management system.

Some of the recent projects by NetBuilder are Mobile Money, Nesh, IPS Corporate Advisory and many more. For more details, you can check out at their homepage, http://www.netbuilder.com.my/ or interested to read about their newsletter, click here.

Without a doubt, E-Commerce is playing an essential and huge impact in the changing technology environment. NetBuilder is definitely one of the many other sites that made it right through the market because of E-commerce advancement. Overall, NetBuilder is providing a good sight to their clients on the usage of the Internet to conduct business.

Corporate Blogging: A new marketing communication tool for companies

According to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporate_blog, corporate blog is "A corporate weblog is published and used by an organization to reach its organizational goals. The advantage of blogs is that posts and comments are easy to reach and follow due to centralized hosting and generally structured conversation threads. Currently, all major browsers (including Firefox, Opera, Safari and Internet Explorer 7) support RSS technology, which enables readers to easily read recent posts without actually visiting the blog, which is very useful for low-volume blogs."

According to research of New PR Wiki, there was 58 (11.6%) of the Fortune 500 were blogging as of 17/5/2008. I just found out that a reasearch post by Mario Sundar in his blog, http://mariosundar.wordpress.com/2008/05/05/top-15-corporate-blogs-ranked-may-2008/ is very interesting and should be recomend to my readers also. He stated the top 15 corporate blogs by the method measuring the popularity and the number of blogs vs. number of links that’s being measured. As my espectation, the first place is Google's blog and following by Adobe and Flickr. Facebook is also a blog that a lot of people visits and its rank is no. 4.

Actually, the corporate blog is not same as my blog now. My blog is to provide information about e-commerce to all my friends that interest in e-commerce but the corporate blog usually is used for the business purpose.

There are 3 types of blog which is internal, external and CEO blogs. Internal blog is accessed through the corporation's Intranet, is a weblog that any employee can view. It encourages the employees to participate in the blog and discuss everything including the work place, their jobs, the product and everything to increase the employees communication. External blog is a publicly available weblog where company employees, teams, or spokespersons share their views. It is often used to announce new products and services (or the end of old products), to explain and clarify policies, or to react on public criticism on certain issues. It also allows a window to the company culture and is often treated more informally than traditional press releases, though a corporate blog often tries to accomplish similar goals as press releases do. In some corporate blogs, all posts go through a review before they're posted. Some corporate blogs, but not all, allow comments to be made to the posts. This is the main part I wanted to discuss today. This external blog can be using as a marketing communication tool for the companies to promote their products, discuss and improve the products or even sell the products. The last is the CEO blog. As the name, we can easily know that, it is the blog which written by the CEO of particular company.

Here is an example of corporate blog, http://en.community.dell.com/blogs/direct2dell/default.aspx about dell. Readers can refer to this blog and get some idea about corporate blogging. Work hard on this, it is because corporate blogging will become a more and more important marketing tool for companies because it involve telling and also feedback of all the stakeholders of the company and it is really easy, fast and effective.

Things to take note to prevent e-auction fraud when a consumer participating in an e-auction.

Have you participated in electronic auction market?

The e-auction process is actually same with the traditonal auction, but it takes place through online. The virtual marketplace for trading between seller and buyer is provided by company, such as Ebay and Lelong.

Fraud exists everywhere, e-auction market is not the exception. However, i don't mean to discourage you from participating in e-auction, but i think we should try our maximum effort to prevent getting loss from e-auction fraud.

Here are some guidelines for you to prevent being cheated:

1) Use a secure payment system, if there is. For example, Lelong.com provides "Safetrade Services", it acts as an intermediary. This process begins when the buyer pays to the lelong.com, once received, they will inform seller to ship the goods to the buyer, the process end with ending money to the seller.

2) Trade with the verified seller only. Verified seller refer to those sellers had submitted complete details to the market place provider. It includes photocopy of MyCard, home phone number(will be called to verified). Thus the reliability of member is enhanced
Example: Process to become verified member

3) Know more about the sellers. You can try to track their trading history and check any feedback or rating about them from other members or previous buyers.

4) Don't simply bank in your money to anyone's bank. You have to be alert when the account's name is diffrerent from the seller name, or the race is different.

5) Dont Trade with the seller whose phone is not working. Those people are highly suspicious and so far most fraud cases fit into this category. They will stay anonymous until they receives your money and then disappear.

6) Don't trade with seller who is not responsive.

7) Get the seller's address. In case the goods is found faulty/spoil.

8) Be alert when the price is abnormally lower than market price. This is one of their tactics to attract you as you think you've found a good price.

For more information, you can refer to Lelong.com's security and protection and eBay's security centre.
Besides, you may also refer our post about Phishing: Examples and its prevention methods, it may give you some ideas about how to prevent fraud.

A review on a post on e-tailing from My E-Commerce blog

Hello!I have reviewed a post on e-tailing from My E-Commerce which is Using Touch n Go card to buy fast food in Malaysia will be a reality.Touch’n Go is a smart card used by Malaysian toll expressway and highway operators as the sole electronic payment system. But now, Touch’n Go can be used in

Carrefour

7-11

A&W




Burger King

Caltex Star Mart

Cathay Cineleisure

Dunkin' Donuts


Touch ‘n Go card is an electronic purse that can be used at all highways in Malaysia, major public transports in Klang Valley, selected parking sites and theme park.Touch ‘n Go uses contactless smartcard technology. The card looks similar to a credit card.

User can continue using the card as long as it is pre-loaded with electronic cash. User can reload the card at toll plazas, train stations, Automated Teller Machines, Cash Deposit Machines, Petrol kiosks and at authorised third party outlets. Reload denomination is ranging from RM20 to RM500.Touch ‘n Go enhances the speed of paying for low value but high frequency transactions.

Apart from the speed, it is also very convenient because user no longer need to prepare for small change or wait in queue at the cash lane to complete the transaction. Touch 'n Go Sdn Bhd (formerly known as Rangkaian Segar Sdn Bhd), the operator of this Electronic Payment System, has several range of Touch ‘n Go cards to suit different market needs.

With this one card for all, for example, toll, parking, public transport and theme park. From my point of view, this is a more efficient approach for customers. One of the benefits of using Touch’n Go in fast food restaurant, convenience stores, hypermarkets and cinemas is we do no need to wait for attendant to give you the small change as there is alot of customers who do not have patience. We can save alot of time by having a smooth transaction.
Touch’n Go is easy, fast and convenience to customers, they can touch on the screen and then can pay for the items bought without digging for coins.

Besides that,this is a very good idea to implement Touch’n Go in fast food restaurant particularly during the peak hour time. In hypermarket, consumers need not to queue up for a long time as some of the counters tend to be closed. By using Touch'n Go, consumers can make payment faster and easier. Touch’n Go can easily be reloaded at anywhere anytime. For example, it can be reloaded through Maybank's ATM machine. So try to fully utilised the function of Touch'n Go to reduce traffic congestion especially during peak hours!

Useful link:

1) E-Tailing from My E-Commerce

2) You can use Touch'n Go card to buy burgers by next Saturday

Credit Cards Debts:Causes and Prevention

hi~~welcome to eeeeecom.blogspot again~~ I am going to tell you guys about the credit card debts causes and how to prevent it.

Credit card debts accur when client of a credit card company purchases an item or service through the card system. Debt accumulates and increases via interest and penalties when the consumer does not pay the company for the money he or she has spent.Many families are now experiencing severe financial problems. The problem is it is just too easy to spend money but now people are looking for ways to try and pay off the thousands they owe to thefinance companies. Once this point has been reached then it only remains for some form of relief from the credit card debt to be arranged.

Here's some of the causes of credit card debts:

1. Poor Money Management
Poor money management is one of the best reasons why so many families accumulate lots of debt. Not having a monthly spending plan and not keeping track of your monthly bills makes you unaware of where your money is going. You might be spending hundreds of dollars every month towards items that are useless and have no value in your life, yet you do not realize it. While your money is going towards purchasing useless items, you might also be charging your necessary purchases on your credit card, forcing you to pay interest on these purchases every month.

2. Banking on a windfall.

Spending tomorrow's money today is very tempting. Especially if you believe that tomorrow will come no matter what. A planned job bonus may not be a sure thing. The inheritance that you believe will come your way may not. The lesson is don't spend the money until the check clears.

3.Reduced income/same expenses.

Too often we delay bringing expenses in line with a reduction in income for a host of good reasons and let debt fill the gap. The sooner you adjust to your new reality, whether it be temporary or permanent, the better off you'll be.

4. Hoping to win the lottery
Most people hope to win the lottery but the chances of that happening are 0%. Do not spend tomorrow's saved money today just because you expect a promotion in your job or are expecting an inheritance from a deceased grandfather. We all know life is unfair and things can go wrong more easily than going right.

5. Saving little or not at all

Many people don't understand how money works and grows, how to save and invest for a rainy day, or even why they should balance their checkbook. The schools don't teach it, your parents may not have sat you down and explained it. It doesn't matter. You are responsible for your life and your money anyway. Financial mistakes are increasingly expensive and complicated to resolve.

How to prevent it?

1.Obviously, the easiest way to to stop using the cards altogether as continued use will just compound the problem and make it harder to resolve.

2.Establish a budget and then follow that budget exactly. In other words, don't be tempted to charge that plasma TV to your credit card on a whim when you haven't budgeted for it this month.

3.Get a low interest credit card, if your credit card's interest rate is excessive. The better your credit, the lower the rate for whichy you will qualify.

4.When you can, use cash, not credit! If you carry a balance, use your card for as little as possible -- when you write checks, use a debit card or fork over cash for each purchase, you'll be more conscious of your spending and will end up spending less.

5.Negotiate with credit card companies. The amount of credit card debt in this country has made creditors realize that if they want to get any money back, they have to make deals! If a card charges an annual fee, ask that it be removed. Many cards don't charge a fee, so you can always switch to one of these cards. Most credit cards will remove the fee if you simply ask.

These tips should get you started

Credit card clients need to cut out habits that make you spend more by using credit card.You do not build wealth with credit cards.Prevent it before things getting worst!!

Electronic Currency

Electronic currency is also known as e-money, electronic cash, digital money, digital cash or digital currency which refer to money or scrip that is exchanged only electronically. Electronic currency involves the use of computer networks, internet and digital stored value systems. It may only exist in the cyber world, but that is nothing new about it.

Electronic currency will possible like public-key cryptography and digital signatures make e-money possible. A private key known only to the owner, and a public key, made available to everyone. Whatever the private key encrypts, the public key can decrypt, and vice verse. (You all should know what's public key,private key and how it works as Miss Esther did explain in the last tutorial!)

Examples of how electronic currency are used are such as Hong Kong's Octopus Card system which started as a way to pay for transit payments but has now progressed to an electronic cash system, Singapore's FeliCa card and Netherlands Chipknip which has the same use as Hong Kongs Octupus Card, and Malaysia's Touch 'n Go card.There are two difference types of electronic currency: identified e-money and anonymous e-money (also known as digital cash).

Identified e-money contains information revealing the identity of the person who originally withdrew the money from the bank. Also, in much the same manner as credit cards, identified e-money enables the bank to track the money as it moves through the economy. Anonymous e-money works just like real paper cash.

Once anonymous e-money is withdrawn from an account, it can be spent or given away without leaving a transaction trail. You create anonymous e-money by using blind signatures rather than non-blind signatures. Online means you need to interact with a bank (via modem or network) to conduct a transaction with a third party. Offline means you can conduct a transaction without having to directly involve a bank. Offline anonymous e-money (true digital cash) is the most complex form of e-money because of the double-spending problem.

Electronic currency allows its holder to buy the goods and services that the vastness of the internet offers. An e-currency system may be fully backed by gold (like e-gold and c-gold), non-gold backed, or both gold and non-gold baked (like e-Bullion and Liberty Reserve).

Electronic currency trading can let you to do business and earn only few dollars of investment. In fact, some of the experts will suggest the beginners to start with only a few dollars so that they can first learn the ropes of electronic currency. Besides that, electronic currency trading has a low transaction cost. Unlike other businesses that will eat up your profit with a huge amount of fees, it allows you to do business with minimal fees and give you more profit and money. There are few websites examples that can let people to do e-currency tradings such as MG E-currency, JT GOLD.com

Useful links:

1) Electronic Money

2) Electronic Currency Exchange - Its Time Is Now

3) Benefits of E-Currency Trading

4) E-Money Defined

Mobile payment systems in Malaysia: Its potentials and consumer's

Mobile payments (also known as mobile web payments or WAP billing) is a collection of money from consumer via a mobile device such as their mobile phone, Smartphone, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) or any other devices. With such application, it does brings advantages to the world of e-commerce and it’s growing steadily in Malaysia as well. Some of examples of mobile payments available in Malaysia are Mobile BlueZone and Mobile Money. To read more about Mobile Money, click here.

Users just need to use a mobile device to pay for goods and services at 24-7.There is no need hustling around the payment counter.As a result, uers would be able to save more time.

Let's discover more about Mobile Money.

Mobile Money is a PIN-based Mobile Payment Solution designed by Mobile Money International Sdn Bhd to address the limitations and bottlenecks created by cash, cheques and credit cards. It unlocks the power of the mobile phone to make payments, allowing registered users to pay for goods and services at anytime, anywhere using only a mobile phone coupled with a 6-digit security PIN (Personal Identification Number) via SMS (Short Messaging Service). This gives the freedom to shoppers to buy products online and pay the merchant using his/her mobile phone without being physically present at the store.

When it comes to online selling, selecting a payment gateway is one of the major obstacles faced by the merchants in Malaysia. There are too few choices available, worse, none of these limited choices are cost effective. This problem has been addressed by Mobile Money, since it allows merchants to take online order without the need for online shopper to disclose their credit card information.

With the existence of this service,it will encourage more consumers to shop online. This will definitely be a great boon to the e-commerce industry in Malaysia. It will surely encourage more merchants to adopt online selling as an extra sales channel which complement perfectly with their offline sales channel to help them sell more of their goods and services.

Besides Mobile BlueZone and Mobile Money, many other companies are also coming up with this concept to cater for their customers convenience. For example, Maxis,HGL Capital Berhad, CELCOM and many more. Maxis unveils mobile payment services news can be viewed here.

Mobile payments services indeed have a vase of great potential and advantage. Consumers feel more comfortable with low-value transactions over such non-traditional means. Common applications such as payment for transportation, parking, restaurants, convenience stores, retail outlets, e-tickets. This helps especially when consumers are in need of cash but doesn’t have any in hand, therefore with mobile payments they do not need to even search for an ATM machine to withdraw the needed money for the payment.

For visual explanation, click here!

Useful links:

1) Is Mobile Banking Really Reducing Poverty? Not Yet, We Argue

2) Mobile is back in the news

3) Nearly Half a Billion Mobile Financial Services Customers expected in 2013