Energy traders use instant-messaging services to place orders and chat about market-moving news. Much of this communication is done via Yahoo Messenger. The functionality of the current Yahoo Messenger meets the regulatory requirements associated with oil trading. Instead of expanding messenger with other platform related services in support of trading, Yahoo will soon be replacing the current version of messenger with a new version which allows parties to undo a trade-related message which is contrary to regulatory requirements. 

 

A modicum of global trade-related foresight would indicate to Yahoo that it has the skeletal structure for what could become a full-fledged platform with secure portals which provide all of the primary and support services that facilitate commodity and other trades. Microsoft has amply demonstrated with the profitability of Office 365's 54% increase in revenues from commercial customers, that connecting people over the Internet to software hosted in big data centers, provides the robust enterprise functionality and security needed to conduct global trade. 

As e-commerce scales globally* software providers need to carefully consider these capabilities and the customer need for them.

 

*WalMart Stores Inc. added 250 sellers to its online marketplace in May and June. (Internet Retailer)