1. E-Commerce
Lecture 10

2. Market Mechanisms Search Engines
A computer program that can access databases of internet resources, search for specific information or keywords, and report the result.
For example customers tend to ask for product information (e.g. requests for product information or pricing) in the same general manner.
Examples of search engines are Portals that are having their own search engines:

3. Market Mechanisms Why need of search engine?
These type of requests are repetitive.
Answering such requests are costly when done by a human.
Search engines deliver answers economically and effectively by matching.

4. Market Mechanisms Special search engines
Special search engines organized to answer certain questions or search in specified areas. for example

5. Market Mechanisms Software (intelligent) agents
Software that can perform routine tasks that requires intelligence.
Unlike a search engine, a software (intelligent) agent can do more then just "search and match" it has capabilities that can be used to perform routine tasks that require intelligence.

6. Market Mechanisms Software Agents
For example, it can monitor movement on a website to check whether a customer seems lost or ventures into areas that may not fit the customer's profile. if it detects such confusion, the agent can notify the customer and provide assistance.

7. Market Mechanisms Software Agents
Software agents can be used in e-commerce to support tasks such as comparing prices, interpreting information, monitoring activities and working as an assistant.
Users can even chat or collaborate with agents.

8. Market Mechanisms Search Engines & Software Agents
Users use both search engines and intelligent agents in e-commerce.
If customers are inside a storefront or an e-mall, they can use the search engine, of that storefront or an e-mall, to find a product or a service.
They can also use Web Search Engines, such as to find general information about a product or service.
Finally, they can use software agents that make comparison (e.g., mysimon.com or froogle.com) and conduct other tasks.