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PA e-Comm News September 27

ADVERTISERS OF THE WEEK

Visa International is making a push with a new smart-card payment system that would allow hands-free transactions. The credit card company said that it plans to set up a new system that uses smart cards fitted with radio-frequency chips (sometimes called RF identification, or RFID, tags) that will allow people to conduct a transaction, such as paying a subway fare or buying a soda, without having to fish for change or swipe a credit card. Visa said these systems will make life easier for a range of users like commuters who could use a card to pay their fare at subway turnstiles instead of standing in line to buy a token. People would hold the card--or phone or other device containing a card—close to a terminal, which would use wireless transmissions to send payment information. Visa said this is all part of their universal commerce, or u-commerce. Several U.S. government agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration, plan to use smart cards for identification and for access to buildings and computer networks. Other potential uses include paying for parking, buying gas at a service station and getting a snack at a vending machine. You also can build tags that have memory and are cryptographically secure.

Consumers who claim online auction sites are unresponsive to fraud are increasingly taking matters into their own hands by filing more police reports, attempting more often to track down merchants on their own and putting up more Web sites to warn others of merchants they say are unscrupulous. One such cyber-vigilante was an online marketing consultant in Newport, R.I. who, after paying for a laptop that was never delivered, constructed a Web site, electrodepotsucks.com, to "shame" Electrodepot of New York into refunding $1,600 for the laptop. eBay, where the laptop was purchased, never responded to his repeated complaints but did boot Electrodepot off the site because of buyer complaints. EBay says it is the responsibility of sellers to communicate with bidders about delays in shipments or financial problems. Most of the vigilantes' complaints center on eBay, which handles about 85% of online-auction transactions.

How to take action:

(a) More police. A defrauded consumer searched eBay chat rooms and found two other alleged victims and together they presented evidence to police, who made an arrest and the party was placed on seven years' probation and was ordered to repay his victims.

(B) Personal investigation. A former deputy sheriff conducted a personal investigation to recover $3,500 from a deal by searching online to compile information about New York-based merchant Mike Falco. He then contacted similar dealers in Upstate New York, took out ads on eBay, explaining how Falco allegedly failed to deliver a product and then filed a complaint with the FBI's Internet Fraud Complaint Center (IFCC). He eventually received a refund. 

(C) Online ads. Another consumer got back $900 shortly after he placed online ads accusing an eBay seller of fraud.

But these are among the few who recoup losses. Online auction fraud was the most reported offense last year, with 43% of almost 50,000 complaints; and, it is growing along with auction activity. eBay uses a merchant ratings system, which tips buyers and sellers to potential trouble spots. An eBay user receives a point for each positive comment by another member and no points for a neutral comment; a point is deducted for each negative comment.

Analysts insist that while the stock market and the dot-com world may be down, it does not mean launching a new e-business is out of the question. An NYU professor pointed out that many of today's technology and commerce giants began life at a time when startup capital was not flowing freely, yet they succeeded in getting off the ground and eventually thriving. The overall business climate should dictate the fate of a truly good business plan -- online or offline. The recipe for entrepreneurial success has always remained basically the same: the startup needs founders who have knowledge and passion for the project; it must be based on a sound business model; and it must serve a real need in the marketplace. So, entrepreneurs are finding that they must commit their own resources or find angel investors among friends and relatives. To stand out in e-commerce, new businesses will have to either cater to new niches not already dominated by big players or find compelling and original ways to present and promote existing product lines.

An e-tailer in the United Kingdom, frustrated at the rise of online credit card fraud, has taken the fight to the fraudsters by launching a Web site called early-warning.org.uk, which collates details of would-be fraudsters and alerts fellow e-tailers about the threat they pose. Within two days of launching, 35 e-tailers have already signed up for the service, which is free to join. Most are small businesses, the majority selling computers and software.

E-COMMERCE RELATED EVENTS AND INFORMATION

The following are links to upcoming seminars and other events that our readers might have an interest in and/or other information related to e-commerce. 

Mission Possible Version 2.0

"Upgrade to Downtown"

Friday, October 4, 2002

12:00 Noon to 4:00 PM

This networking event is designed to showcase downtown Harrisburg as a hot spot for technology start-ups, and small to medium sized technology entrepreneurs. Small business support services, media, and potential sources of funding will come together to provide a convenient opportunity for you to get answers to questions about starting a business. We'll finish the day with a reception at the latest tech company arrival in downtown..... Last year this event attracted 75 entrepreneurs from around the state. This event is funded through a grant from the Commonwealth "Stay Invent the Future" program through the Capital Region Economic Development Corporation (CREDC) and the Team Pennsylvania Foundation. The Harrisburg Young Professionals are the hosting entity. Take advantage of the following:

PENNTAP (need assistance researching your patent idea? looking for manufacturing expertise?)
e-TAP (need expertise in developing your software, ecommerce or Internet product or service?)
Capital Region Economic Development Corporation (looking for a low interest loan? or finding space in the area?)
Ben Franklin Transformation Group (need strategic, financial, marketing support?) 
Ben Franklin Technology Partners (looking for funding in your early stage company?)
Venture Investment Forum (want to pursue angel investors or venture capital?)

In addition, meet companies who can give you a reality check on what it's like to build a small business. CommNav, PestPatrol, and SellStuffLocal will be there to tell you all about the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. These companies have successfully closed outside funding, signed customer deals, and landed strategic partners. Talk to someone who's been there and is still doing that. 

...all this plus meeting the media and attending the reception at ScriptFast....

If you haven't yet registered for the Oct 4th Mission Possible "Upgrade
To Downtown" event, take a minute and just do it. We need to make sure we
have enough food and beverage on hand - it's shaping up to be a busy event.
Register by emailing bradleyjones@harristown.net by close of business
This Friday, September 27th. 

You will find additional information on our website @ www.paecomm.org.

2003 Ben Franklin Emerging Business Awards

Since 1995, pre-launch and early stage companies have been awarded for best management team, most innovative product, most innovative service, or biotech company of the year. Is your company ready to be a winner?

The Ben Franklin Emerging Business Awards is open to early stage companies in business for less than five years, with not more than $1,000,000 in sales in any single year. Companies must be located in the nine county area including New Castle, Delaware; Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties in New Jersey; and Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware, and Chester Counties in Pennsylvania.

Attached is an entry form. The completed entry form is due by Friday, December 6. 

All queries about applications, tickets and sponsorship should be directed to info@efgp.org.

Winners in each category will receive the coveted Ben Franklin Emerging
Business Award and a cash prize of $1,000. Award recipients will be
announced Thursday March 6th at a gala reception held at The Ballroom at the Ben, 834 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia.

PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The following is a listing of recently published technology procurement opportunities with various governmental entities. We hope our readers take the opportunity to investigate these postings and increase their business:

GSA - Federal Technology Service (FTS)
Acquisition Services Division (6TS-A)
70 -- GENERAL PURPOSE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT
Synopsis
http://www.eps.gov/spg/GSA/FTS/ASD6TSA/6TSA-02-JMT-0251/listing.html

GSA - Federal Technology Service (FTS)
Acquisition Services Division (6TS-A)
70 -- GENERAL PURPOSE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT
Synopsis
http://www.eps.gov/spg/GSA/FTS/ASD6TSA/6TSA-02-JMT-0250/listing.html

GSA - Federal Technology Service (FTS)
Acquisition Services Division (6TS-A)
70 -- GENERAL PURPOSE INFORMATION TECHNOLGY EQUIPMENT
Synopsis
http://www.eps.gov/spg/GSA/FTS/ASD6TSA/6TSA-02-JMT-0253/listing.html

USAF - Air Education and Training Command
Randolph AFB Contracting Office
D -- GRB SOFTWARE LICENCES
Synopsis
http://www.eps.gov/spg/USAF/AETC/RandAFBCO/FUFPC522550100/listing.html

USAF - Air Force Materiel Command
AFRL - Rome Research Site
D -- Hardware and Software Support
List of Registered Parties, 23 Sep 2002 01
http://www.eps.gov/spg/USAF/AFMC/AFRLRRS/F30602-03-Q-0054/listing.html

USAF - Air Force Materiel Command
AAC - Air Armament Center
D -- Base-Level Software Support Services
RFP F08635-02-R-0095 through Amendment 0002; more Q&As 01
http://www.eps.gov/spg/USAF/AFMC/AAC/F08635-02-R-0095/listing.html

HHS - Food and Drug Administration
Division of Contracts and Procurement Management
D -- Software Upgrades
Synopsis
http://www.eps.gov/spg/HHS/FDA/DCPM/Reference-Number-E06403/listing.html

GSA - Federal Technology Service (FTS)
IT Solutions West Branch ( 4TRW)
70 -- Track-It Software
Synopsis
http://www.eps.gov/spg/GSA/FTS/4TRW/4THF21028812/listing.html

DISA - Acquisition Directorate
DITCO-Scott
D--INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES, INCLUDING COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES
Synopsis
http://www.eps.gov/spg/DISA/D4AD/DITCO/VARIOUS-23-Sep-2002/listing.html

USDA - Forest Service
R-8 Land Between the Lakes
R--POS and AFFCAP Database Administrator
Solicitation 01, Synopsis
http://www.eps.gov/spg/USDA/FS/4870/53-4870-2-0004/listing.html

HHS - National Institutes of Health
National Library of Medicine
D -- Software Licenses for Oracle Environments
Synopsis
http://www.eps.gov/spg/HHS/NIH/OAM/NLM-02-255-UHP/listing.html

USN - Naval Air Systems Command
CHERRY POINT NAVAL AVIATION DEPOT
D -- Technical Support Services For Development of Software Interfaces
Synopsis
http://www.eps.gov/spg/USN/NAVAIR/AIR25153/N00421-02-R-3252/listing.html

NEWS & NOTES is a service of the PA e-Commerce Association. Please forward this e-mail to anyone else who might be interested in the content or in learning more about the Association. Remember to visit our website @ www.paecomm.org. or give us a call at 800-497-0809.

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