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The basis for successful electronic retail is an outstanding e-commerce platform. This standard component contains all basic functions designed to provide online retail services. The shake-out in recent years means that only a few suitable systems are currently available. However, selecting the right system requires operating experience and in-depth knowledge of the components involved. Expertise saves time and money. Prices for these systems vary significantly. Whereas a user license for an open solution can be free of charge, a user license for a commercial system can easily cost tens - if not hundred- of thousands of euros.
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But: comparing systems according to price gets us nowhere. Our experience: each system outlined here has its pros and cons. A recommendation can only be made once the individual client and project have been assessed in detail. Our motto is: first diagnose the problem, then find the best treatment.
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All solutions outlined here can be applied flexibly to suit the individual project situation. Even if there are no migration paths linking small-scale solutions (e.g. ePages) to a high-end solution (e.g. INTERSHOP, hybris), a system should always be selected according to the basic principle: "think big, start small".
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Out-of-the-box systems
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The e-commerce platform delivers standard functionality that ensures smooth and efficient online retail (catalog browsing, product view, search, basket, check-out...).
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System selection
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Aside from the technological aspects, the product selection process depends to a large extent on platform acquisition and operating costs, as well as related costs for necessary add-on components (e.g. database).
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Integration
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Generally speaking, e-commerce systems operate as front-end processors for available enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and must therefore be integrated into the existing IT environment.
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Microsoft Commerce Server 2002
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The software can only be run on its own operating system: Windows 2000 Server and Windows XP. |
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There are limitations to the selection options for add-on components: the only database that can be utilized is the Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft’s CMS is the recommended content management systems and Microsoft Developer Studio should be used for development purposes. Only IIS can be implemented as a webserver. |
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The utilization of .NET und COM+ provie that the lastest tehnologies are utilized and supported. |
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Conclusion: the Microsoft Commerce Server is less suitable for heterogenous e-commerce environments and should be utilized when Microsoft technology is already in use. |
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Price: the initial costs are relatively low. However, as additional Microsoft products are needed to meet the required targets, the low license price must be relativized. |
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INTERSHOP enfinity 2.x / MultiSite
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Due to a high performance level and effective caching mechanisms, Intershop Enfinity has shown that it can deal with high-traffic websites in the European market. |
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The utilization of Java and XML enable a high level of interoperability. Moreover, shop management is simplified thanks to the enfinity Management Center (eMC). |
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A flexible database model allows systems to be modified easily to suit individual needs – without modifications to the database design. |
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INTERSHOP has extended its original product line to incorporate the MultiSite and enfinity Suite 6 products, guaranteeing continuity in the face of market need. |
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The current solution harnesses cutting-edge technologies (Linux, Blade) to implement multi-shop solutions. |
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As well as its standard licensing model, INTERSHOP now offers an attractive range of transaction volume-based starter models. |
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IBM Websphere Commerce
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The IBM Websphere Commerce Server is based on the application server of the same name. |
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IBM also utilizes Java and XML. A wide range of extras (e.g. personalization tools) is provided in the server package. |
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Unlike the Application Server, the Commerce Server has not gained widespread recognition and acceptance in Europe. |
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Price: the IBM license model only provides for multiple stores in the Professional Edition. The integration effort in generally high, as IBM provides no out-of-the-box product. Costs for necessary add-on software, such as the "WebSphere Catalog Architect" and the "WebSphere Commerce Studio", have to be taken into account when calculation overall costs. The full potential of the product cannot be tapped without these add-on components. |
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ePages Hosting Edition
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In December, 2002, ePages Software GmbH – headed by former Intershop co-founder Wilfried Beeck – acquired the operating rights for Intershop4. The product now operates as "ePages". |
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Advantages: the product, which specifically targets mid-sized companies, is in a high stage of development and has been implemented in over 30,000 systems. It comes with a Java API and WebServices and sophisticated administration tools. These enable shop operators to import and modify products, user data and templates via a web front-end. |
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Disdvantage: the Perl technology used means that this solution is not suitable for high-traffic sites. |
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Price: low license price and effort for administrative desktop. |
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hybris E-Business Plattform 2.0
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The hybris E-Business Plattform was developed and launched by hybris AG to offer a flexible basic technology for all types of e-business applications. Two e-commerce product lines: hybris shop and the hybris E-Business Plattform (higher flexibility, newer technology). |
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The hybris E-Business Platform is the next-generation follow-on from hybris jakarta. By utilizing state-of-the-art technologies auch as J2EE, XML and EJB, and providing extensive functionality, the current version enables custom-built solutions to be generated rapidly and effectively. Programming takes place using a Java API (JaLo). Product and order data can be administrated using either an HTML frontend (WebMC), a Java client (JMC) or an individual application interface as required.
Java provides greater platform independency and allows company-specific components and interfaces to be integrated flexibly.
In E-Business Platform 2.0, the Clustering functionality has been optimized and extended significantly. Together with the JaLo Caching, this added functionality provides a new version is a high-performance solution designed to address and meet corporate needs.
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OpenSource OfBiz
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The open-source component "OFBiz" does not yet provide all required functions and processes. |
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In particular: the sophisticated reporting and administration functions available in commercial systems are not offered. This means that all features and functions requiring customization must be defined in the specification phase, before the realization phase can start. |
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This approach can be used to maintain and support fundamental realization and roll-out concepts. The e-commerce system enables access to the platform containing all standard functions and project-specific functions are customized. |
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