The DPICT model is our own variation of the PICT model that we came across several years ago, but which still provides a useful way of looking at the e-commerce needs or capabilities of an organisation.
DPICT splits e-business activities into 5 main areas. Businesses should assess there needs against each space, and then buy or develop systems to meet those needs.
The Virtual Communications Space
The first step of client engagement is through the virtual communications space. How do you communicate with your clients, bring yourselves to their attention, inform them through email and your web site, and then continue the communications after purchase.
The Virtual Transaction Space
If the client decides to buy how do you handle the transaction? Do you provide secure on-line payment? Do you offer telephone or direct debit alternatives. How do you invoice the client? Can the client view invoices electronically?
The Virtual Process Space
With an order made, how is that order fulfilled within your organisation. Is it drawn from a warehouse, made to order, delivered on-site as a service? What quality steps do you need to go through? How much of the process is electronic and automated, and how much manual and paper based. And after delivery how do your support processes work? And what on-line view does your client have of all this?
The Virtual Distribution Space
This is how a product is delivered to the client. For "bits" type services (e.g. music, documents, software) the distribution mechanism can be totally electronic, but of course needs to take account of things like IPR and digital rights management. For "atom" products the distribution applications manage the interface to the delivery agent, typically enabling customer, supplier and courier to track an orders progress from good-out to the customer.
The Virtual Information Space
Information is vital to the success of organisation. How do you gather and collate management information from the complete process, and how can you distil this into high-level management reports that can provide a dash-board view of the business for everybody, from shop-floor worker to CEO and stakeholders?
