Mobile technology a low priority for online retailers: report
- 20 August, 2010 14:57
- Comments
Some 69 per cent of the Australian online retail sector is increasing investment in technology while the majority hesitate to adopt mobile commerce strategies, says a new survey.
The Online retailing in Australia 2010: Technology Investment report found 53 per cent of retailers see e-commerce as the key investment priority for the year ahead.
Forrester Research report co-author Steven Noble said an investment in mobile is not high on the priority list for online retailers with some 88 per cent of respondents saying they deployed m-commerce in the past year.
“Most online retailers have a technology wish list as long as your arm that includes many basic areas such as improved product content management. They'll invest in those areas first and other areas like mobile later,” Noble said.
Noble said the report indicated retailers are split between choosing an on-demand utilisation model, which 38 per cent deploy, versus a licensed application brought in house, which 51 per cent use.
“Retailers are taking a practical approach asking what vendor or software works for them. They're not overly distracted by the big 'religious' debates in IT such as installed verses on demand,” he said.
Noble said while the approach of Australian online retailers is practical, the industry must extend its vision.
"When it comes to technology, the overarching philosophy of Australian online retailers is 'whatever works'. As a philosophy, it's impeccable, but in practice, it's constraining because these retailers are focused on what works today, to the detriment of the future."
The report is based on interviews with some 16 online merchants, Web developers and platform providers from retailers including City Beach, Coles Online, Redbox Hardware, Rip Curl and Appliance Online.
The news comes as Ovum this week warned CIOs in the insurance industry that m-commerce may be a "game changer" thanks to Gen Y demand for mobile services
Related Articles
Join the CIO Australia group on LinkedIn. The group is open to CIOs, IT Directors, COOs, CTOs and senior IT managers.
- Bookmark this page
- Share this article
- Got more on this story? Email CIO
- Follow CIO on twitter
-
Spiceworks' free management software gets integrated MDM
-
Opinion: Why national e-health is not for everyone
-
Opinion: Why national e-health is not for everyone
-
Opinion: Why national e-health is not for everyone
-
Opinion: Why national e-health is not for everyone
-
Clearing the Clouds for Midmarket Businesses
Cloud computing promises to help midmarket companies reduce cost and complexity in the IT equation – and gain the flexibility and agility they need to thrive. Yet charting a clear course to the cloud isn’t always easy. In this paper, we aim to clear the clouds. We examine different cloud computing models, discuss the types of requirements that each can best address, and consider what midmarket businesses should look for in a cloud solutions provider. -
Building Maturity and Experience in Successful Virtualisation Strategies
Current trends in the adaption and deployment of virtualisation suggest that as an organisation gains experience, each implementation requires a different technique. A stratified approach to a company’s long-term virtualisation and cloud computing strategy allows the right skills set to be built alongside the resolution of each scale and complexity issue presented. Read more to understanding where you are and how you can compare for the future. -
Maximising productivity without sacrificing security
Advances in mobility and client computing technology combined with the ubiquity of the Internet and social media are creating a culture and desire for constant connectivity and anywhere access to information. As these trends extend from the home into the work place, IT managers should consider seriously the opportunities for increased productivity and communication with customers and constituents, as well as understand the increased security risks posed by online, anytime access to private networks and data. Read more.
Get exclusive access to Invitation only events CIO, reports & analysis. 
