COMMERCE SERVERS

Commerce Servers are web servers enhanced with support for certain commerce activities. Commerce server platforms can be costly ($800 and up), and most are anything but plug-and-play. However, they can be the best solution for any mid- to large-sized e-commerce business because they offer the full e-commerce platform in one package. By placing a commerce server at the helm, a fast-growing web business can ameliorate or sidestep altogether some of the more common e-commerce problems such as performance, scalability and integration difficulties.

Commerce server platforms offer a diversity of services including:

• Transaction, payment and personalization engines.
• Tax and currency calculation capabilities.
• Workflow automation.
• Content management software.
• Database and ERP (enterprise resource planning) integration modules.
• Proprietary and open application servers.
• Customer-service offerings with “800” number phone support integration.
• Smart catalogs.

Although commerce servers have come a long way in the last few years, some still lack support for necessities such as back orders or contracts that require purchases at specific intervals. Also proprietary architectures often make it difficult to customize some commerce offerings, and back-end integration issues may require writing your own custom code for each legacy system that needs integration.

Most of the products don’t have the modularity necessary to meet the performance, scalability, and integration needs of today’s web-based businesses. However, that being said, unless you have the resources to write your own software, you will be forced to buy into a commerce server solution, whether or not the technology is “up to snuff.”

That is the bad news, now for some good news. There are some good commerce servers on the market. Here is a taste of what today’s marketplace has to offer in the way of innovative commerce servers.

Advansis E-Commerce Server (www.advansis.com). This turnkey solution features all the components needed to launch a comprehensive online store, including a browser-based product catalog manager, shopping cart, online ordering, and extensive payment, security, and order processing features. Furthermore, the product can be easily scaled to support an unlimited number of products. It also provides an affiliate program manager and customizable currency options. On top of all that, the Advansis E-Commerce Server includes support for custom catalog design using templates, stock monitoring capabilities, “quick search” capabilities, pre-configured payment provider options, and support for an unlimited series of tax and shipping schedules.

BEA WebLogic Commerce Server (www.bea.com). Designed in Java and based on open standards, the BEA WebLogic Commerce Server blends ready-to-run, out-of-the-box commerce functionality with the scalability and flexibility needed for e-business operations. It also simplifies development of portable and scalable applications, and provides interoperability with other applications and systems. Moreover, the latest version of the WebLogic Commerce Server includes the WebLogic Personalization Server with Portal Framework, which enables a web business to create adaptable e-commerce applications that personalize customer interactions.

Chapter Eight’s Commerce Server 2003 (www.chaptereight.com). This product enables an e-business to safely transact business in a secure, robust, and a cost effective manner. Its key features include the ability to conduct credit card transactions safely, to track orders via an order management system (or link to an existing order management system), to analysis orders so you can discern sale patterns, and the ability for customers to manage their orders online.

IBM Corp.’s Websphere Commerce Suite (www.ibm.com). This product is based on an open Java application technology, which the large enterprise may find very useful. The Websphere Commerce Suite provides a viable infrastructure for building, deploying, and administering e-commerce sites. IBM also has done a nice job in making enterprise-level provisions and tools (e.g. support for auctions, business intelligence, personalization, and marketing campaigns) sophisticated enough to address the needs of a maturing e-commerce site. If you envision your business providing global commerce, then the Websphere Commerce Suite might be a good fit. It is designed to enable an e-business to craft its site so that it can be customized to meet requirements in foreign markets. Parameters for language, currency, and taxes (including value-added taxes) are easy to select. Other “global” features include regional shipping guidelines and carrier selection, and currency selection. You can even provide context-rich page displays relevant to a specific shopper’s point of origin.

Microsoft’s Commerce Server 2002 (www.Microsoft.com). This server is a viable option for the small to mid-size website. In true Microsoft style, its Commerce Server 2002 doesn’t exactly mimic the model used by its competition. Where IBM, BEA, Netscape and others tend to create an application server upon which e-commerce modules are added, Microsoft’s approach is more monolithic. Commerce Server contains features for personalization, business-decision support, content management, order processing, and much more. Just about the only thing not included in the package is an XML engine (that can be found in Microsoft’s BizTalk Server). If you would like to know more about Microsoft’s approach to commerce servers go to www.microsoft.com/technet/default.asp, the select “Products and Technologies” (menu — left side).

SeeCommerce’s Dynamic Commerce Server (www.seecommerce.com). This Java-based product manages and distributes information (structured and unstructured) from a variety of sources, e.g. data marts, data warehouses, web servers, ERP systems, operational databases and corporate legacy systems. As such, it enables an e-business quickly and securely to design, to generate, to publish, and to distribute information to its customers.

Simple Logic’s SecureMerchant e-Commerce Server (www.simplelogic.com). This dynamic application foundation is ideal for online retail catalogs. The SecureMerchant e-Commerce Server combines the latest technologies, features, and security needed for today’s e-business environment. Its web-based merchant administration features allow store management from any location and the vendor’s comprehensive online help services can reduce ramp-up time. Most importantly, businesses enjoy increased sales because customers can find what they want easily.

When looking for commerce server software, look at products that provide:

• A modular system (to enable you to choose the best fitting elements for your enterprise).
• Rules-based workflow automation, especially for content management.
• Support for monthly supply replenishment or back-order provisioning.
• EJB/XML support.
• Scalability when the shift from back-end systems to multi-company workflow integration (i.e., product descriptions that will be provided directly by the supplier) becomes the norm.

There is, in all probability, a commerce server platform out there suitable for any particular web-based business model. However, if you are considering building your site upon a commerce server, choose carefully. Then be sure that your final choice can integrate seamlessly into your legacy systems. Also, consider your budget, existing architecture, and software development capabilities when making the decision to purchase a commerce server platform.