Reference Inc (DRI) is a start-up company that would like to provide a service by offering easy access to needed information in specialized fields such as accounting, auditing, taxation, governance and compliance, project management, strategy management, finance, etc. Although their business plan calls for moving into a number of fields, DRI would like to begin by addressing the needs of people in the accounting, auditing, and taxation fields.

Its first two target groups are public accounting firms and the general public. For the general public, the plan is to provide a website with advice on various issues such as generally accepted accounting principles, auditing standards, tax laws, savings and investments rules, etc. The site would also contain links to other sites where visitors will be able to obtain links to other websites where visitors will be able to obtain advice on such issues as how to establish a new business.

For professionals in public accounting firms, DRI would like to offer more detailed information management and client support services. Additionally, the company wants to provide capabilities that might help the public accounting firms manage their standard office functions such as e-mail, phone, fax, printing, scheduling, helpdesk support, etc.

Analyze the industry and competitive marketplace as well as identify the best competitive strategy to pursue given the company’s strengths and weaknesses;

Compare and contrast the top two eCommerce business models (advantage and disadvantages) that may suit the overall objective identified in #1 above and recommend the best eCommerce business model based on your analysis (See Appendix A for an overview of the various eCommerce business models);

Describe the nature, type, and role of each of the five components of information systems in supporting your recommended eCommerce business model to help the organization achieve its overall objectives;

Recommend specific types of hardware, data storage, and networking requirements/technologies to support the effective deployment of the recommended eCommerce business model.