10 July 2013

On 20th May, 1498, as the Portuguese armada arrived in Kappadu, near Calicut, little did the fleet commander imagine the profound impact his expedition had made and would continue to make in the world of commerce through the centuries that followed.

Vasco Da Gama, the famous Portuguese explorer's maiden voyage to India has been hailed as a pinnacle of world history.His discovery of an alternative trade route opened avenues for global multiculturalism for the first time.

History is a good teacher and it repeats itself. A few centuries down the line, the advent of internet, which essentially is a global network of networks, has revolutionized commerce by knitting the whole world into a global village.

This global system of interconnected computer networks has had an exponential impact on trade in recent times. Availability of accurate information and smart networking empowers one to carry out one's business from the comfort of one's mobile phone anywhere and anytime,without having to sail out on a voyage!

What is M- Commerce? Defining it.
The phenomenon of mobile commerce essentially encompasses the electronically powered flow or transfer of commercial products and their delivery directly into the consumers' hands,via wireless technology. Commercial transactions that are made by utilizing the services of mobile devices like mobile phone, tablets laptops and so on constitutes the world of mobile commerce.

Statistics
According to a BI Intelligence report, 29% of mobile users have made purchases in January 2013 using their phones.An estimated 40% of all visits to the Walmart internet shopping site in December 2012 was accessed from mobile devices. Moreover,Bank of America has predicted that by 2015 that there will be $67.1 billion worth of purchases made from mobile devices by U.S. and European shoppers.

Understanding M- Commerce
Mobile Commerce, or m-Commerce, is all about the explosion of services and applications that are becoming accessible from Internet-enabled mobile devices. It embraces new technologies, prompt services and revolutionary business models. As it is quite different from traditional e-Commerce, mobile phones impose their own set of different constraints in comparison to desktop computers. However, armed with robust applications and services they open up brightly lit avenues of opportunities. Mobile devices make it happen, whenever and wherever. With a mobile device in hand a person can not only look for a nearby restaurant but can also stay in touch with colleagues, or pay for items at a store.

How do multichannel platforms contribute?
A multi-channel platform or cross platform is a platform that is single handed able to support multiple operating systems and multiple deployment methods.In the world of M-Commerce, they play a crucial role by acting as highly automated online selling solutions which catapult sales and streamline the processes for smooth execution.
A multi-channel can end up being a solution to an enterprise's need to support PCs, kiosks,smartphones and tablets.

Interplay between M Commerce and Multichannel Platform
The multichannel platforms are generally compatible with various cell phones from different makes.It enables a shopkeeper to view one's eCommerce store, stock it, carry out orders and scrutinize inventory management.It's compatibility with iPhone credit card swiping devices allow a salesperson to make one's sales even when they are on the go. No delay in sales or payment. Consequently, it translates into more sales and an increase in business. One can sell anytime, anywhere.

Why it has become so popular?
Flexible options allow one to conduct business at one's convenience and easy connectivity ensures smooth operations.Easy accessibility for users through phones and messengers ensure constant connectivity. The multiple channel platform integrates facilitates to ensure smooth commercial transactions at any time and from any location with internet access.

Advantages
A multiple channel platform leverages a shopkeeper's sales vastly and enables one to communicate and distribute real-time promotions. Special mobile apps developed on this platform enable the seller to reach out to one's customers communicating offers and product information immediately and capitalizing on promotion which result in immediate sales.

Conclusion
While many may choose to think of commercial transactions over mobile devices as "having a retail outlet in one's customer's pocket.", the frontiers of it's scope are getting vastly expanded and silently the expedition voyage to explore new possibilities continues!



About Souvik Das

Founder of Thedigitalmarketing.org, an SEO Analyst, Digital Marketing Executive & blogger expert. Follow him on Twitter, or befriend him on Facebook.

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