Using Internet Technology to Expand Store Operations

Much attention in academic literature has been paid to the potential use of the Internet Technology available today, and its ability to help managers who understand the possibilities and the limitations of that technology adapt it to their unique business situations (Rheingold, 1994, 14; Barford, 1997, 55). This analysis has two parts. The first part will provide an overview of Internet Technology paying particular attention to: (a) special resource requirements, (b) exploitation potential, (c) specific relation to MasonACE hardware stores, and (d) the special implementation problems adopting this technology has had for the owners of MasonACE. The second part of the analysis will look at the operation of MasonACE, paying particular attention to the operational and management steps it took to put its business online.

In 1997, more than 2 million businesses -- ranging from mom and pop stores to multi-national corporations -- "set up shop on the World Wide Web" (Becket, 1997, 29). The term "set up shop" is an apt expression and one attributed to Harvey Seegers, the Chief Executive Officer of General Electric Information Services. Mr. Seegers is an avid believer in the limitless possibilities of global computer to computer connectivity within and among businesses. Going on the Web, he said in a speech, is "a future tremendously

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ely enter this new era of commerce for several reasons. Yet perhaps the primary reason is the lack of a good, valid, and safe system of payments (Oliver, 1997, 167). Attempts have been made to establish virtual currency that is safer than use of credit cards, and allows customers to transact purchases over the net. In fact, many different forms of "electronic money" are under development but three general categories are emerging: electronic debit and credit systems; smart cards; and true digital money, which has many of the properties of cash (Bacharach, Bamberger & Mundell, 1995, 18). Electronic debit and credit systems already exist. Smart cards and digital money represent new payment systems with potentially revolutionary implications. Smart cards are plastic "credit" cards with an embedded microchip. The above data is just a part of what Tom Mason learned when he went into business with his father in the MasonACE Hardware Stores in Cincinnati Ohio. Part 2. When MasonACE Joined the Internet MasonACE Inc. currently has six hardware stores in the Cincinnati area. The company began operations in 1897 as Mason's Hardware and Sundries, and stayed in the same location for more than seventy years. In 1945, it opened its
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Some common words found in the essay are:
Mall Internet, Internet Technology, Web Sale, Freeman Hannan, Internet Bill, Resource Locator, Chesbrough Teece, Bloomfield Coombs, Finally Mark, Services Seegers,  , web site, rheingold 1994, hardware stores, internet research, internet technology, oliver 1997,  $3000 ,  $0, $0 , seegers 1997,  $0 , $3000  , seegers 1997 14, chesbrough teece 1996,
Approximate Word count = 2094
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page)

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