Every once in a while a breakthrough is made in the ongoing advance of civilization. Sometimes it is in technology, such as the invention of the telephone. Sometimes it is in medicine, such as the discovery of penicillin. And sometimes it is in commerce, such as the setting up of the first online shopping (via televisions) by the entrepreneur Michael Aldrich in 1979.
But often when a breakthrough is made, it takes time for people to get used to the idea. For example, the telephone was thought of as an unnecessary development when discussed in the House of Commons in London soon after it was patented in 1875, and was considered ‘only useful in remote places, such as America or Africa.’
The same can be said of the drug Penicillin, which is still widely used today (in various forms) to treat a range of infections, and yet was not mass produced until 1944, when the U.S. hurried up production in time for the D-day landings in Normandy. That was some 16 years after its original discovery by Alexander Fleming in September 1928.
The same is true of online business. When Mr Aldrich’s first attempts at electronic commerce began, no one could have imagined the impact it would have on our everyday lives. Those early concerns over security of data and the honesty of remote companies have been removed, as consumers have learnt of the huge advantages to be made.
Today’s business world moves, literally, at the speed of light, and only a foolish and penniless businessman is without online contacts, electronic transfers and teleconferencing. This is why it is so strange that the modern chemicals’ industry is without a secure, online marketplace.
That was until earlier in 2014, when Spotchemi was founded, and traders, suppliers, purchasers and manufacturers of industrial chemicals could finally meet in one place.
Like all breakthroughs, it had its sceptics believing that it is was unnecessary or that it wasn’t secure, and yet it continues to save its members time and money every day.
The huge increase in online trading in recent years shows no sign of slowing down, as we not only become more comfortable with the idea, but also as technological advances make the process even more simple and secure. The laptops of the future will be built with retina scanners and fingerprint readers, or may even read microchips injected under our skin.
Already a company called Somark has developed an ink that is applied directly to the skin of an animal or a human. These “tattoos” can be applied in about 10 seconds using micro-needles and a reusable applicator, and can carry enough banking data to enable you to make online or in-store purchases without a wallet, cash or cards. The “tattoo” is read and the funds are automatically taken from your account.
Internet shopping, which seemed such a frightening idea to us all just a few years ago, is now a part of our modern lives. So it’s up to you to ask yourself, where will e-commerce take you next?