Course code InfT4040

Credit points 3

Fundamentals of E-commerce Technologies

Total Hours in Course81

Number of hours for lectures16

Number of hours for laboratory classes16

Independent study hours49

Date of course confirmation06.09.2022

Responsible UnitInstitute of Computer Systems and Data Science

Course developers

author Datoru sistēmu un datu zinātnes institūts

Tatjana Rubina

Dr. sc. ing.

author prof.

Gatis Vītols

Dr. sc. ing.

Course abstract

The aim of the study course is to provide basic knowledge about the electronic commerce, its models and strategy, electronic commerce systems components, development models and implementation technologies, platforms and principles of the electronic commerce systems. The course subjects are the goods and order management in an electronic environment, management of the flow of goods delivery, electronic payment systems, electronic payment types, as well as security of electronic commerce. In the practical part of the study course, students learn one of the most popular e-commerce platforms and tools for website traffic statistics and SEO analysis.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

As a result of the study course students:
•know and understand the sense and models of e-commerce, organizational principles and technologies, social commerce, product and order flow, payment systems, e-payment methods, development principles of e-commerce system and mobile application, as well as their integration possibilities with other information systems (theory test);
•know how to identify, analyze and discuss various e-commerce problem situations, design and develop an e-commerce solution, use available platforms and tools in the development of e-commerce solutions (practical and independent works);
•are able to define, interpret and use professional terminology in the field of e-commerce, apply acquired skills in the development of an e-commerce solution, using and integrating available platforms and tools, as well as make and justify independently synthesized decisions and draw conclusions regarding the development of the company's e-commerce solution and improvements (independent works).

Course Content(Calendar)

1 E-commerce, e-commerce business models, sales strategies, organizational principles and technologies. Infrastructure of e-commerce systems. (2h)
2 E-commerce platforms and the opportunities they provide. (1h)
3 Configuring the e-commerce platform. (10h)
4 Development of e-commerce systems. Domain name. Hosting services. (2h)
5 Development of mobile applications. (1h)
6 Types of goods. Order management in the electronic environment. Product delivery management. (2h)
7 Payment systems. Types and solutions of electronic payment. (2h)
8 Social commerce. Mobile commerce. Trends in e-commerce. (2h)
9 Search engine optimization (SEO). Types, methods and principles of SEO. (2h)
10 Measurement and evaluation of search engine optimization. (4h)
11 E-commerce website traffic analysis. (3h)
12 Security of e-commerce systems. (1h)

Requirements for awarding credit points

Three independent works must be completed and theory test passed.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Students must independently complete and submit 3 independent works in e-study system by a certain deadline:
1. development of an online store using one of the most popular e-commerce platforms
2. website SEO analysis
3. statistical analysis of traffic to the online store with Google Analytics
The 1st independent work must be presented at the time agreed with the teaching staff.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The final mark of the study course is the cumulative assessment of the semester, which consists of:
• grades of independent works (80%);
• theory test (20%).

Compulsory reading

1. Prudhomme G. Software Services for E-Business. Ashland: Arcler Press. 2019. Pieejams: EBSCO e-book academic collection datubāzē
2. Schneider G.P. Electronic commerce. 12 ed. 2017. 598 p.
3. Chaffey D. Digital business and e-commerce management. Harlow, England: Pearson Education Limited, 2014. 712 p.
4. Google Analytics Academy [tiešsaiste]. Pieejams: https://analytics.google.com/analytics/academy/course/6/faqs
5. SEO fundamentals. Google search central. [tiešsaiste]. Pieejams: https://developers.google.com/search/docs/fundamentals/seo-starter-guide

Further reading

1. Mourya S. K., Shalu G. E-Commerce. Oxford, England: Alpha Science Internation Limited, 2015. Pieejams: EBSCO e-book academic collection datubāzē
2. Turban E., King D., Lang J. Introduction to Electronic Commerce, 3/E. Boston, USA: Pearson Education,Inc, 2011. 928 p.
3. Google Analytics Help [tiešsaiste]. Pieejams: https://support.google.com/analytics/topic/12156336?hl=en&ref_topic=12153943,2986333,
4. Tag manager help [tiešsaiste]. Pieejams: https://support.google.com/tagmanager/answer/11994839

Periodicals and other sources

• EBSCO e-book academic collection. Pieejams: https://web-p-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.llu.lv/ehost/search/selectdb?vid=0&sid=8715372b-5e1d-4646-9ecc-530bf329861f%40redis

Notes

Compulsory course in Computer Science and Computer Science and Information Technology for Sustainable Development.