Architectural Issues of Web-Enabled Electronic Business

Nansi Shi, IGI Global

ISBN:159140049X, Edition: , 2002-11-20

Price: $89.95

Table of Contents

Architectural Issues of Web-Enabled Electronic Business ~ 1
Preface ~ 12
Readership ~ 12
Organization ~ 12
Overview ~ 13

Section I: Globalization of E-Business ~ 19
Chapters List ~ 19

Chapter 1: Issues in the Globalization of Electronic Commerce ~ 20
Abstract ~ 20
Introduction ~ 20
Background ~ 20
Key Issues ~ 21
Language ~ 21
Culture ~ 25
Laws and Regulations ~ 26
Payment and Currency ~ 27
Time-Date and Units of Measure ~ 27
Logistics ~ 29
Other Business Issues ~ 30
Technical Issues ~ 31
Architectural Solutions ~ 32
General Recommendations ~ 34
Future Trends ~ 34
Conclusion ~ 35
References ~ 35
Appendix ~ 37

Chapter 2: Electronic Architectures for Bridging the Global Digital Divide: A Comparative Assessment of E-Business Systems Designed to Reach the Global Poor ~ 40
Abstract ~ 40
Introduction ~ 40
Background: Rapid Emergence of the Digital Divide ~ 41
Global Digital Divide: Patterns And Causes ~ 42
Approaches to Bridging the Digital Divide ~ 43
Networks for Bridging the Digital Divide ~ 47
United Nations Trade Point Program ~ 47
LINCOS: Little Intelligent Communities ~ 47
Alcatel Telemedicine and E-Government Networks ~ 48
Johns Hopkins Global Access System ~ 48
A Comparison of the Four Networks in Terms of Several Network Architecture Dimensions ~ 49
Scalability ~ 49
Robustness, Reliability and Predictability ~ 51
Affordability and Adoptability ~ 51
Security ~ 51
Quality of Services ~ 52
Other Dimensions ~ 52
Future Prospects for the Digitally Excluded Populations ~ 53
Discussion, Conclusions and Implications ~ 54
Technology Developers and Marketers ~ 54
National Governments and International Agencies ~ 54
References ~ 55

Section II: Intelligent Portal Architecture ~ 58
Chapters List ~ 58

Chapter 3: Intelligent Business Portals ~ 59
Abstract ~ 59
Introduction ~ 59
Intelligent Portals ~ 61
Intelligent Portals vs. Intelligent Agents ~ 62
Integrating Knowledge Management with Portals ~ 62
Intelligent Portal Deployment and Development ~ 62
System Architecture of Intelligent Portals ~ 64
Layers of Intelligent Portals ~ 64
Key Component: The Information Broker ~ 64
Tools for Building Intelligent Portals ~ 65
Intelligent Portals in Business ~ 66
e-Marketing ~ 66
e-Broker ~ 66
e-Business Management ~ 67
Conclusions ~ 67
References ~ 67

Chapter 4: Expert Database Web Portal Architecture ~ 69
Abstract ~ 69
Introduction ~ 69
Expert Database Web Portal Overview ~ 70
Related Work ~ 71
Expert Database Constructor Architecture ~ 73
Web Page Miner Architecture ~ 74
An Example: The Entertainment and Tourism Domain ~ 77
Additional Work ~ 80
Conclusion ~ 80
References ~ 80

Section III: Scalability and Performance ~ 84
Chapters List ~ 84

Chapter 5: Scheduling and Latency Addressing the Bottleneck ~ 85
Abstract ~ 85
Introduction ~ 85
Scheduling ~ 87
Conditional Task Scheduling ~ 87
The ATME System ~ 89
Latency Minimization ~ 91
The Impact of Latency: An Example ~ 92
RPC/RMI ~ 93
Multi-Threaded RPC/RMI and Futures ~ 93
Batched Futures and Responsibilities ~ 93
The Ideal Latency ~ 93
Ambassadors Concept ~ 93
Semantics of Ambassadors ~ 94
Implementation Status ~ 95
Conclusions ~ 97
Acknowledgments ~ 98
References ~ 98

Chapter 6: Integration of Database and Internet Technologies for Scalable End-to-End E-commerce Systems ~ 101
Abstract ~ 101
Introduction ~ 101
Overview of Content Delivery Architectures ~ 104
Server Farms vs. Edge Services ~ 104
Content Delivery Services ~ 105
Publishing Protocol ~ 107
Cookie and Certificate Sharing Protocols ~ 108
Redirection Protocol ~ 110
Log Maintenance Protocol ~ 113
Dynamic Content Handling Protocol ~ 113
Impact of Dynamic Content on Content Delivery Architectures ~ 114
Overview of Dynamic Content Delivery Architectures ~ 115
Configuration I ~ 116
Configuration II ~ 117
Configuration III ~ 118
Enabling Caching and Mirroring in Dynamic Content Delivery Architectures ~ 120
Impact of Dynamic Content on the Selection of the Mirror Server ~ 122
Related Work ~ 123
Conclusions ~ 124
References ~ 124

Section IV: Web-Based Distributed Data Mining ~ 126
Chapters List ~ 126

Chapter 7: Internet Delivery of Distributed Data Mining Services: Architectures, Issues and Prospects ~ 127
Abstract ~ 127
Introduction ~ 127
Related Work ~ 130
Distributed Data Mining ~ 130
Client-Server Model for Distributed Data Mining ~ 132
Agent-Based Model for Distributed Data Mining ~ 133
Hybrid Model for Distributed Data Mining ~ 134
A Virtual Marketplace of Data Mining Services ~ 136
Emerging Technologies and Standards ~ 136
Multiple Service Provider Model of Interaction for Data Mining ASPs ~ 137
Conclusions ~ 138
References ~ 139

Chapter 8: Data Mining for Web-Enabled Electronic Business Applications ~ 141
Abstract ~ 141
Introduction ~ 141
What Is Data Mining? ~ 141
Various Data Mining Tasks and Techniques ~ 142
Data Mining in Web-Enabled E-Business Domain ~ 143
Data Mining Opportunities ~ 144
Difficulties in Applying Data Mining ~ 145
Conclusion ~ 147
References ~ 148

Section V: Web Search and Data Retrieval ~ 151
Chapters List ~ 151

Chapter 9: Intelligent Web Search Through Adaptive Learning From Relevance Feedback ~ 152
Abstract ~ 152
Introduction ~ 152
Background ~ 152
Web Search and Adaptive Learning ~ 154
Overview ~ 154
Dynamic Features and Dynamic Vector Space ~ 154
The General Setting of Learning ~ 155
Algorithm TW2 ~ 155
Feature Learning Algorithm FEX (Feature EXtraction) ~ 156
Document Ranking ~ 156
Equivalence Query Simulation ~ 157
The Websail System and the Yarrow System ~ 157
The Features System ~ 159
Timing Statistics ~ 160
The Commercial Applications ~ 161
Future Work ~ 162
Acknowledgment ~ 162
URL References ~ 162
References ~ 163

Chapter 10: World Wide Web Search Engines ~ 166
Abstract ~ 166
Introduction ~ 166
Requirements of Web Search Engines ~ 166
Web Search Engine Technologies ~ 167
Search Engine Structure ~ 167
Crawler ~ 168
Indexing Software ~ 168
Search and Ranking Software ~ 168
Hyperlink Exploration ~ 169
Information Retrieval (IR) ~ 170
Relevance Feedback ~ 170
Data Clustering ~ 171
Metasearches ~ 171
Sql Approaches ~ 172
Content-Based Multimedia Searches ~ 173
Others ~ 174
Major Search Engines ~ 174
Summary ~ 176
Future Directions ~ 176
References ~ 177

Chapter 11: Retrieval of Multimedia Data on the Web: An Architectural Framework ~ 181
Abstract ~ 181
Introduction ~ 181
Overview of the Architecture ~ 181
Review of Multimedia Content-Based Retrieval Models ~ 182
Layer I: Data Servers ~ 184
Keyword Search ~ 184
A Model for Multimedia Semantic CBR ~ 185
How a Query is Processed in this Layer ~ 186
Summary ~ 187
Layer II And III: Caching ~ 187
Layer II: The Proxy Server ~ 187
Layer III: The Departmental Local Caches/Archives ~ 188
Cache Consistency Problem and Time Scale ~ 189
Summary ~ 189
Layer IV: The Agents ~ 189
The Home Base ~ 190
The Mobile Agent Instances ~ 191
Discussion ~ 192
References ~ 193

Chapter 12: Navigation in E-Business Web Sites ~ 196
Abstract ~ 196
Introduction ~ 196
Content Organization ~ 197
Online Store Models ~ 197
Navigation in Large E-business Sites ~ 200
Characteristics Influencing Navigation ~ 202
Checking Out ~ 204
Trust and Usability ~ 204
Design Issues for Checkouts ~ 205
Conclusions ~ 206
References ~ 206

Section VI: Web Information Systems (WIS) Development: Design, Environment and Standards ~ 208
Chapters List ~ 208

Chapter 13: E-Business Transaction Management in Web-Integrated Network Environment ~ 209
Abstract ~ 209
Introduction ~ 209
Background ~ 211
E-business Transaction Processing Systems ~ 211
Operational Models for INE ~ 211
Mobile Agents ~ 213
Suitable Model for E-Business INE ~ 213
INE: Requirements and Characteristics ~ 214
Mobile Transactions: Their Features ~ 214
New Logical Modes For E-Business Environment ~ 215
Subjunctive Mode ~ 215
Abductive Mode ~ 216
Requirements For E-Business Transactions ~ 216
Workflows, Agents and Concurrency ~ 217
Concurrency and Serializability ~ 218
Relaxing Serializability Criterion ~ 218
Protocols Required ~ 219
E-Shopping Cart Model ~ 219
Future Trends ~ 220
Software Tools ~ 220
Conclusion ~ 221
Acknowledgment ~ 221
References ~ 221

Chapter 14: System Development Methodologies for Web-Enabled E-Business: A Customization Framework ~ 223
Abstract ~ 223
Introduction ~ 223
Research Objective and Methodology ~ 224
Research Step 1: Examining the E-Business Environment ~ 224
(1) More Rapid Time-to-Market ~ 224
(2) More Heterogeneous Technical Environment ~ 224
(3) Changes in IT Strategy ~ 224
(4) Emphasis upon the Human-Computer Interface ~ 225
(5) Less Reliable Time and Cost Estimates ~ 225
(6) Changes in Development Team Composition ~ 225
Research Step 2: Examining System Development Methodologies ~ 225
Linear Models (Including System Development Life Cycle and Waterfall) ~ 225
Iterative Models (Including Prototyping, Spiral, Rapid Application Development) ~ 226
Parallel Models (Including Alternative Path or Ad Agency Approaches) ~ 227
Disruptive Models, Including Volcano Methodology ~ 228
Rapid-Response Models ~ 228
Research Step 3: Developing a Framework for E-Business Development Methodology ~ 229
Organizational Variables ~ 230
Project Variables ~ 231
Team Variables ~ 231
Analysis and Discussion ~ 232
Future Trends and Considerations ~ 233
Conclusion ~ 233
References ~ 234

Chapter 15: Characterising Web Systems: Merging Information and Functional Architectures ~ 236
Abstract ~ 236
Introduction ~ 236
Background: Web Architectural Modelling ~ 238
Information Architecture ~ 241
Functional Architecture ~ 241
Improving Architectural Models ~ 243
Improving Architectural Processes ~ 245
Future Trends and Conclusions ~ 245
References ~ 246

Chapter 16: Customisation of Internet Multimedia Information Systems Design Through User Modelling ~ 249
Abstract ~ 249
Introduction ~ 249
Background ~ 250
Internet Multimedia Information Systems ~ 251
Content Information and Presentation ~ 251
Information Space Navigation and Accessibility ~ 252
User Interface and Support ~ 253
Development of a User Model ~ 255
Cognitive Styles ~ 255
Prior Knowledge ~ 256
Gender Differences ~ 257
Engaging the User Model in System Design ~ 257
Inclusion of User Requirements ~ 258
Personalised Multimedia Systems ~ 258
Conclusion and Future Directions ~ 258
References ~ 259

Chapter 17: A Software Model, Architecture and Environment to Support Web-Based Applications ~ 262
Abstract ~ 262
Introduction ~ 262
Web-Based Applications ~ 263
Web Infrastructure and Web-based Applications ~ 263
Web Infrastructure and Web Application Servers ~ 266
Software Development Processes for Web-based Applications ~ 267
Existing Models for Web Application Development ~ 267
A New Model and Architecture for Web-Based Applications ~ 268
A Generic Web Application ~ 269
The Web-Based Application Conceptual Model ~ 269
The Basic Web-Based Application Architecture ~ 270
The Extended Web-Based Application Architecture with Execution Segmentation ~ 270
Task Partitions: Supporting the Continual Evolution of Web-Based Applications ~ 271
Relationship to the Model-View-Controller Pattern ~ 272
A Support Environment for Web-Based Applications ~ 273
Implementation ~ 274
Conclusion ~ 274
References ~ 274

Chapter 18: XML - Digital Glue for the Modern World Electronic Business Standards Fuelling Intra- and Inter-Enterprise Interoperability for Global Collaboration ~ 276
Abstract ~ 276
Introduction ~ 276
Electronic Business is all about Collaboration ~ 277
Electronic business is more than just e-commerce! ~ 277
Limiting Factors of Electronic Business ~ 278
The XML Standard Digital Glue for Inter Operability ~ 279
XML Adds Meaning to the Data and is Easy to Learn ~ 280
XML as a Data Storage Format ~ 281
Document-Centric and Data-Centric Documents ~ 281
Why Traditional Databases are not Ideally Suited for XML ~ 281
Mismatches Between XML and RDBMS Technology ~ 282
Co-Related XML Standards ~ 283
DTD and XML Schema ~ 283
From CSS to XSL ~ 283
XSL Stylesheets ~ 284
XSLT -eXtensible Stylesheet Language Transformations ~ 284
XSL-eXtensible Stylesheet Language ~ 285
XPath - XML Path Language ~ 285
XPointer ~ 285
DOM Document Object Model ~ 286
SAX Simple API For XML ~ 286
Xml-Based Standards for Electronic Data Interchange ~ 286
Conclusion ~ 288
References ~ 289
Additional Information Sources ~ 290

Section VII: E-Marketing and Virtual Marketplace ~ 291
Chapters List ~ 291

Chapter 19: Designing Agent-Based Negotiation for E-Marketing ~ 292
Abstract ~ 292
Introduction ~ 292
What is Negotiation? ~ 294
Negotiation as a Transactional Paradigm ~ 295
Object-Based Rules and Transactions ~ 296
Planning, Reasoning and Negotiation ~ 296
Design af an Agent Negotiation Protocol ~ 298
Example ~ 298
Specification to find the shortest path ~ 299
Negotiation Termination Detection ~ 300
Modeling E-Market ~ 302
Features of Multi-Agent Negotiation Paradigm ~ 303
Conclusion ~ 303
Acknowledgment ~ 303
References ~ 303

Chapter 20: Virtual Marketplace for Agent-Based Electronic Commerce ~ 305
Abstract ~ 305
Introduction ~ 305
General Marketplace Architecture ~ 306
Financial Center ~ 307
Control Center ~ 307
Business Center ~ 308
Software Agents ~ 309
Buyer Agent ~ 310
Seller Agent ~ 311
Proxy Agent ~ 311
Banking Agent ~ 312
Client Application and Airline Management ~ 312
Important Architectural Features ~ 313
Negotiation Session ~ 313
Dynamic Pricing Mechanism ~ 315
Security, Trust, and Privacy ~ 315
Implementation Discussions ~ 316
Agent Identification ~ 316
Conclusion and Future Work ~ 318
References ~ 319

Chapter 21: Integrated E-Marketing A Strategy-Driven Technical Analysis Framework ~ 321
Abstract ~ 321
Introduction ~ 321
Technical Analysis Methods for E-Marketers ~ 323
Log File Analysis ~ 323
Web Servers add-ons ~ 324
Network wire-tap Data Gathering and Analysis ~ 325
From Analysis to Data Mining Techniques ~ 325
Identify Customer Expectations ~ 326
Check Data Profile and Characteristics ~ 326
Prepare Data for Analysis ~ 326
Construction of Model ~ 326
Evaluation of Model ~ 327
Use and Monitor the Model ~ 327
Data Mining Tools and Algorithms for E-Marketing ~ 327
Scalability Issue ~ 328
Conclusion ~ 329
References ~ 329

Chapter 22: An Agent-Based Architecture for Product Selection and Evaluation Under E-Commerce ~ 332
Abstract ~ 332
Introduction ~ 332
Seller Differentiation ~ 333
Buyer Differentiation ~ 333
Differentiation Change ~ 333
Literature Review ~ 334
Internet Models ~ 334
Agent Frameworks ~ 334
Trade Services Under Safer ~ 335
Community Administration Center ~ 335
Owner & Butler ~ 335
Agent Factory ~ 336
Clearing House & Bank ~ 336
Trade Services ~ 336
Architecture of Agent-Based Trade Services ~ 336
Trade Services ~ 336
Expert Agent ~ 337
Product Evaluation Methodology ~ 338
Agent Learning ~ 339
System Operation ~ 340
Position of Trade Services ~ 340
Results and Discussions ~ 341
Conclusion ~ 342
References ~ 343

Section VIII: Security Architecture ~ 345
Chapters List ~ 345

Chapter 23: An Architecture for Authentication and Authorization of Mobile Agents in E-Commerce ~ 346
Abstract ~ 346
Introduction ~ 346
Background ~ 347
Design of Agent Authentication and Authorization ~ 349
Overview of the SAFER Architecture ~ 349
Agent Structure and Cryptographic Schemes ~ 350
Authentication Process ~ 350
Implementation ~ 352
Generation of Keys ~ 352
Signing of Agent ~ 353
Authentication of Host by Agent ~ 353
Sending Signed Agent to Destination ~ 354
Authentication of Agents Credentials ~ 355
Discussions ~ 355
Advantages of Our Infrastructure ~ 356
Limitations of Our Infrastructure ~ 356
Conclusions and Future Work ~ 357
References ~ 357

Chapter 24: Security and Trust of Online Auction Systems in E-Commerce ~ 360
Abstract ~ 360
Introduction ~ 360
What are Auctions? ~ 360
Current Electronic Auctions Hosted on the World Wide Web ~ 361
Existing Problems ~ 361
Online Auction System (OAS) ~ 362
OAS versus Physical Auction System ~ 362
Categories of Electronic Commerce and Various Forms of Auctions ~ 363
Mechanisms of Online Auctions ~ 364
Security and Confidentiality ~ 365
Security Consideration ~ 365
Certification of Participants ~ 367
Establishing Payment Systems ~ 368
Conclusion ~ 369
Acknowledgment ~ 370
References ~ 370

Section IX: E-Business Applications ~ 372
Chapters List ~ 372

Chapter 25: E-Commerce and Digital Libraries ~ 373
Abstract ~ 373
Introduction ~ 373
Characteristics of Digital Libraries ~ 374
Issues Confronting Digital Libraries ~ 375
Content Management ~ 375
Issues Facing the Content Organization in Digital Format ~ 375
Copyright and Intellectual Property ~ 377
Intellectual Property Management ~ 378
Cataloguing and Indexing ~ 378
Access Control ~ 379
E-Commerce in Libraries ~ 380
Charging Models for Digital Libraries ~ 381
Prepaid Subscription Model ~ 382
Pay Later Subscription Model ~ 382
Pay Now or As You Use Model ~ 382
XML Might Hold the Key ~ 383
Conclusion ~ 384
References ~ 384

Chapter 26: Electronic Business Over Wireless Device: A Case Study ~ 386
Abstract ~ 386
Introduction ~ 386
Basic Concepts Of M-Business ~ 387
Technologies to Enable M-Business ~ 387
Technical, Business and Legal Issues in M-Business and Their Ramifications ~ 389
A Case Study ~ 391
Main Components ~ 391
System Operation ~ 392
System Benefits ~ 393
Related Work ~ 393
Voice Activated M-Business or E-Business ~ 394
Related WAP Applications ~ 394
Summary and Conclusion ~ 395
Acknowledgment ~ 396
References ~ 396

List of Figures ~ 399
Chapter 1: Issues in the Globalization of Electronic Commerce ~ 399
Assessment of E-Business Systems Designed to Reach the Global Poor ~ 399
Chapter 3: Intelligent Business Portals ~ 399
Chapter 4: Expert Database Web Portal Architecture ~ 399
Chapter 5: Scheduling and Latency Addressing the Bottleneck ~ 400
E-commerce Systems ~ 400
Prospects ~ 401
Chapter 8: Data Mining for Web-Enabled Electronic Business Applications ~ 401
Chapter 9: Intelligent Web Search Through Adaptive Learning From Relevance Feedback ~ 401
Chapter 10: World Wide Web Search Engines ~ 401
Chapter 11: Retrieval of Multimedia Data on the Web: An Architectural Framework ~ 401
Customization Framework ~ 401
Chapter 15: Characterising Web Systems: Merging Information and Functional Architectures ~ 402
Modelling ~ 402
Applications ~ 402
Chapter 19: Designing Agent-Based Negotiation for E-Marketing ~ 402
Chapter 20: Virtual Marketplace for Agent-Based Electronic Commerce ~ 402
Chapter 21: Integrated E-Marketing A Strategy-Driven Technical Analysis Framework ~ 403
E-Commerce ~ 403
E-Commerce ~ 403
Chapter 24: Security and Trust of Online Auction Systems in E-Commerce ~ 403
Chapter 26: Electronic Business Over Wireless Device: A Case Study ~ 404

List of Tables ~ 405
Assessment of E-Business Systems Designed to Reach the Global Poor ~ 405
Chapter 4: Expert Database Web Portal Architecture ~ 405
E-commerce Systems ~ 405
Prospects ~ 405
Chapter 9: Intelligent Web Search Through Adaptive Learning From Relevance Feedback ~ 405
Chapter 10: World Wide Web Search Engines ~ 405
Chapter 13: E-Business Transaction Management in Web-Integrated Network Environment ~ 406
Customization Framework ~ 406
Modelling ~ 406
Intra- and Inter-Enterprise Interoperability for Global Collaboration ~ 406
E-Commerce ~ 406
E-Commerce ~ 406