Report

July 1999

Untangling Site Architecture


Bob Chatham
Many of today's commerce sites will stumble, tangled in mismatched, overlapping software that snags progress. To evolve, firms must adopt a building block approach to architecture. Vendors must adapt -- or perish.
by Bob Chatham with Harley Manning, David Truog, Hollie Goldman

MARKET OVERVIEW
  • Rapid, chaotic growth created a legacy of inflexible, unstable infrastructure for commerce sites.
ANALYSIS
  • Commerce architecture requires six building blocks.
  • A continuous commerce architecture lets sites evolve.
ACTION
  • Firms must audit sites for functional gaps and overlaps.
  • Vendors must align products with building blocks.
WHAT IT MEANS
  • The stakes get higher for all-in-one vendors.
  • Site architecture defines a firm's Commerce API.
 
Figures & Data
  • Figure 1.  Forrester's Continuous Commerce Architecture
  • Figure 2.  Content And Personalization Enable Message And Meaning
  • Figure 3.  Orders And Service Implement Business Processes
  • Figure 4.  The Resource Director And Site Administration Run The Site
  • Figure 5.  Representative Basic Vs. Continuous Commerce Architecture Sites
  • Figure 6.  Applying The Continuous Commerce Architecture
  • Figure 7.  Sample Products Fit Into A Continuous Commerce Architecture
   
RELATED MATERIAL 
  • Companies Interviewed For This Report
  • Related Research
 
GRAPEVINE
  • Farming on the Web.
  • Maybe his title should be Executive VP of Genetic Engineering.
  • "I just won the lottery! I'm going to Disneyland -- er, I mean Disney World!"
  • Any international marketing consultants in Stockholm?
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Ratings and Comments
NOT YET RATED
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