e-Business Assistance Services

e-business refers to all the business processes that take place across electronic networks. e-commerce covers the outward facing processes that touch customers, suppliers and external partners. This includes sales, order taking, marketing delivery and customer service. e-business includes e-commerce, but it also references the internal processes such as production, customer relationship management, inventory management, product development, finance and human resources. IBID helps North Dakota businesses, existing and startups, improve their competitiveness by providing access to the technical assistance resources at NDSU thereby helping to solve specific technical questions or needs. These services are provided on a confidential basis. IBID working in close cooperation with the NDSU Management Information Systems (MIS) program offered by the College of Business and the Computer Science Dept. can help you with questions regarding your e-business needs.

Typical Questions

• Is our company ready to incorporate more e-business practices into our business?
• Can you help us find some manufacturing software?
• Would you review our Web site and provide us with some ideas for improvement?
• Can you help us find a Web site designer?
• Do you have any recommendations on software to help with Web site design?
• Do you know of any computer training in my area?

Customer Comments

• "The student you recommended helped us get our associations Web site designed and operational in a very timely manner."
• "The training you recommended was right on the mark."

What We Will Do

IBID can provide you with a self assessment tool to aid you in determining if you company is ready to implement e-business practices. IBID assistance will be prompt and one-on-one. All proprietary information will be held confidential. We will then provide assistance through our own expertise and/or looking up information. If it is a question beyond our expertise or scope, we will refer you to other resources. IBID has partnered with Soft Select Systems, a technology research firm, to assist our clients in the process of selecting the appropriate software package for their business. After we provide the assistance, we will send you a brief evaluation survey to determine your satisfaction and the economic impact of our assistance.

Cost

Initial interviews and services are provided without charge. If the project requires major research or investment, a cost proposal will be prepared. Agreement on cost will be made before extended services are provided.

Useful Web Sites

Online Computer Lessons

http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/dce