Intelligent Software Agents Analysis in E-Commerce I

Equipped with sophisticated information technology infrastructures, the information world is becoming more expansive and widely interconnected. Internet usage is expanding throughout the web-linked globe, which stimulates people’s need for desired information in a timely and convenient manner. Electronic commerce activities, powered by Internet growth, are increasing continuously. It is estimated that online retail will reach nearly $230 billion and account for 10% of total U.S. retail sales by 2008 (Johnson et al. 2003). In addition, e-commerce entailing business-to-business (B2B), business-to-customer (B2C) and customerto- customer (C2C) transactions is spawning new markets such as mobile commerce.