St.

Mary’s University
E-Marketing Term Paper
E- Distribution

Group members: - 1. Hilina Tsegaye

2. BetselamBiyadglean
3. Sofonias G/medhen
4. Frehiwot Ewnetu
5. Misrak Abiy

Submitted to: Dr. Temesgen Belayneh, PhD

18 July 2021
Introduction
In a wide range of industries alternative electronic distribution channels may
permit customers to deal directly with manufacturers and primary service providers
effectively these intermediating wholesalers, retailers, and agencies. In some cases,
manufacturers or primary service deliverers will be able to implement strategies to
interact with and sell directly to their customers, while in other industries existing
intermediaries will be able to withstand attempts to bypass them.

E-distribution is an important component of e-commerce. There are many benefits

for businesses in adopting e-distribution, the biggest benefit of which is the direct
nature of the transaction (business to consumer or B2C). Consumers are assured
that they are dealing with real and genuine producers or manufacturers. Another
advantage is the market reach capability, which is extensive. There is less need for
manpower as the seller has direct communication with the buyer. All orders can be
immediately acted upon, and considerable overhead can be greatly reduced. The
seller has more control in e-distribution, allowing a customer order to be delivered
on time. Moreover, e-distribution can reduce or eliminate lead times and possible
shortages. With the reduction in overhead, businesses can realize big profits; the
payment system in e-distribution is also largely efficient and secure.

All the transactions are happening online, records are being saved, all the processes
are taking place quickly along with absolute transparency. This is the benefit of e-
distribution. Let us now understand e-distribution in detail.
What is E-Distribution?

E-distribution is a type of distribution that uses purely electronic media. It is often

interpreted as the buying or selling of services or goods over a public network
without the physical media; this is usually done by downloading from the Internet
to the consumer’s electronic device. This type of distribution is accessible to many
customers and is more cost effective for businesses since there is no need to
provide a physical media, also e-distribution is the next big thing revolutionizing
the B2B distribution industry. The term e-Distribution literally means—
manufacturers or suppliers doing business with their distributors or customers
online. First and foremost, benefit here is trust. Customer knows that the
manufacturer or supplier is genuine and vice-versa.

For E-Distribution it is possible to start from a wider and a narrower definition.

The first refers to the online ordering in conjunction with the physical delivery of
the goods. In the narrower definition, the products ordered online via the Internet
that is delivered in digital form. In this case we speak of digital distribution. The
term E-Distribution is typically applied to freestanding products; downloadable
add-ons for other products are more commonly known as downloadable content.
An online service for distribution of application software is usually called
application store or app store. The Content of E-Distribution can be books, music,
software, games, or multimedia content, also. The technological advance of recent
years makes it more significant strengths of the Internet for the distribution digital
products. The digital distribution offers the possibility of a global market to
operate, continuous availability of the products to guarantee the first time and
creates a direct access to consumers.E-Distribution is emerging as the most
important distribution tool in recent times. In fact, it has the potential of altering
the very way business is conducted.
In the context of Music industry-distribution can be optioned by an artist to get
their work into the public sphere of interest easily with potentially minimum
expense. The result is that consumers get to goods cheaply and easily and
increased profits for the artists, as well as increased artistic freedom. It may be
differentiated from music streaming services in that the music store offers the
actual music file, while streaming services offer partial or full listening without
owning the source file. However, music stores generally offer partial streaming
previews, some even with full length.

An online music store is an online business which sells audio files, usually music,
on a per-song and/or subscription basis for download. It is transferred from the
internet web server to the individual user's computer hard drive. Distribution
programs are being improved to offer more secure on-line transactions, consumer
licensing, and anti-piracy measures.

In the context of electronic book industry: An eBook is an electronic version of a

traditional print book that can be read by using a personal computer or by using an
eBook reader. Users can purchase an eBook on diskette or CD, but the most
popular method of getting an eBook is to purchase a downloadable file of the
eBook from a website to be read from the user's computer or reading device.
Although it is not necessary to use a reader application or device to read an Ebook,
most books can be read as PDF files, they are popular because they enable options
like those of a paper book - readers can bookmark pages, make notes, highlight
passages, and save selected text. In addition to these familiar possibilities, eBook
readers also include built-in dictionaries, and alterable font sizes and styles.
 Advantages and Disadvantages of E-Distribution
Advantages of E-Distribution

 Purchase request of the buyer immediately and can be fulfilled at any time
 Producer has direct customer contact
 Shortages and longer lead times are eliminated
 Reduced production, storage and distribution costs
 Niche products with low economic conditions may be discontinued

Disadvantages of E-Distribution

 Distribution costs are generally passed directly to the customer

 Social and interpersonal contacts largely eliminated
 Illegal reproduction and distribution is currently possible
 Not all customers have access to the communication system
 search, decision-making and buying behavior to be registered and marked for targeted
promotions
References

https://opentextbc.ca/electroniccommerce/chapter/distribution

http://en.ecommercewiki.info/fundamentals/market_places/e_distributors

https://definitions.uslegal.com/d/digital-distribution

https://www.techopedia.com/definition/23410/e-distribution