E-commerce Notes for ICSE Class 10 Commercial Studies Chapter 7

You can verify the prescribed scope in the official CISCE Commercial Studies syllabus for Examination Year 2027.

E-commerce or electronic commerce refers to commercial transactions carried out electronically, particularly through the internet.

A customer may view a product online, place an order electronically, make payment through an electronic method and receive either a physical product or a digitally delivered service.

For example, ordering a school bag from an online shopping platform is an e-commerce transaction. The order is placed electronically even though the physical bag is later delivered to the customer.

1. The customer searches or browses for a product or service online.
2. The customer selects the required product or service.
3. The order is placed electronically.
4. Payment may be made through an available electronic payment method or another permitted mode.
5. The seller processes the order.
6. The product or service is delivered to the customer.

1. Convenience: Customers can search for products and place orders without visiting a physical shop.
2. Wider or global reach: A business can make its products visible to customers beyond its immediate geographical area.
3. Speed: Information, orders and confirmations can be transmitted electronically within a short period.
4. Lower investment requirements in some cases: An online business may require less expenditure on physical retail premises and related infrastructure than a conventional store.
5. Ease of formation and operation: Certain commercial activities can be started and managed using online systems without establishing a large physical network.
6. Reduced paperwork: Orders, invoices, records and other information can often be created and stored electronically.

E-tailing means electronic retailing. It refers to the retail sale of goods or services through the internet.

Instead of visiting a physical retail shop, the customer views products electronically, chooses the required item and places the order online.

Example: A customer ordering a calculator, book or pair of shoes from an online retail platform is using E-tailing.

E-advertising means communicating advertising messages to customers through the internet or other electronic media.

An online advertisement may contain text, images or video and can direct an interested customer to a business website, product page or online store.

Example: A sponsored advertisement for a new mobile phone displayed on a website or social-media platform is an example of E-advertising.

E-marketing means marketing products or services by using the internet and other electronic communication methods such as e-mail and wireless media.

It is a broader concept than simply displaying an advertisement because marketing includes activities used to reach, communicate with and serve customers.

E-security refers to the measures and rules used to protect electronic systems, networks, information and data from unauthorised access, misuse or attacks.

Its purpose is to make electronic transactions and information systems safer for businesses and users.

ERP stands for Enterprise Resource Planning.

ERP is an integrated computer software system used by an organisation to manage and coordinate important resources and business processes.

Different departments perform different functions, but an ERP system helps bring information from these functions into a connected system.

For example, sales information may affect inventory records, purchase requirements and accounting records. An ERP system helps these different areas share relevant information rather than operate as completely separate systems.

Model Answer:

1. E-tailing: BrightKart sells goods to retail customers through the internet.
2. E-advertising: its advertisements are communicated through online media.
3. Inventory Module: this module maintains and updates information relating to stock.

1. Writing only “online shopping” as the definition of E-commerce. E-commerce is broader than online retailing.
2. Confusing E-commerce with E-tailing. E-tailing is a retail form of E-commerce.
3. Using E-advertising and E-marketing as if both terms always mean exactly the same thing.
4. Giving very technical cybersecurity explanations when only the meaning of E-security is required.
5. Expanding ERP into a detailed software-engineering topic instead of explaining its basic business purpose.
6. Confusing the Human Resource Module with the Inventory Module.
7. Listing benefits such as convenience or global reach without briefly explaining them in a long-answer question.