For Business Process & Applications Professionals

Retail Multichannel IT Road Map

How Can Retail IT Support Multichannel Trading Without Ripping And Replacing Everything?

by George Lawrie, July 7, 2008

While many retailers still trade via isolated channels, sometimes even referring to the online channel as "store 999," consumers demand a complete shopping experience across channels that includes interactions such as researching or reserving merchandise . . .

Commerce Platforms: Build Or Buy?

Firms Shouldn't Waste Time And Resources To Build Commerce Platforms

by Tamara Mendelsohn, January 20, 2006

According to Forrester's Business Technographics® data, in 2006, 37% of North American and European enterprises that sell products or services online will either purchase or upgrade a commerce platform. As these firms re-evaluate their eCommerce technologies, . . .

For Business Process & Applications Professionals

Vector Capital Gives BroadVision A Second Wind

by Tamara Mendelsohn, July 27, 2005

Yesterday, BroadVision announced that it will be acquired by Vector Capital, a private equity firm, for $29 million, and that it will operate going forward as a privately held, independent software vendor. Following Blue Martini Software's acquisition . . .

Commerce Platforms Scorecard Summary: Microsoft

Key Findings From "The Forrester Wave™: Commerce Platforms, Q2 2005"

by Tamara Mendelsohn, April 29, 2005

Microsoft Commerce Server is the only major commerce platform in the market based on Microsoft technology, so firms seeking to leverage their Microsoft development skills aren't left with many options. Luckily, Microsoft's offering is solid and, with . . .

Commerce Platforms Scorecard Summary: BroadVision

Key Findings From "The Forrester Wave™: Commerce Platforms, Q2 2005"

by Tamara Mendelsohn, April 29, 2005

With a headcount of 346 and annual revenues at $78 million, BroadVision is still struggling to recover from the tech bubble bursting, and it hasn't experienced positive revenue growth for more than four years. But the company still attracts new customers . . .

The Forrester Wave™: Commerce Platforms, Q2 2005

Lab-Based Evaluation Of Top Commerce Platform Vendors Across 200 Criteria

by Tamara Mendelsohn, April 29, 2005

This Forrester Wave includes a detailed, customizable data spreadsheet; presentation resources; and in-depth evaluations of the following vendors: ATG, BroadVision, IBM, Microsoft, and Oracle

Over the past 10 years, commerce platforms have evolved into much more than just a shopping cart to manage transactions. Today, they are the key to building a whole new sales channel that can stand alone or work in conjunction with existing channels. . . .

Commerce Platforms Scorecard Summary: IBM

Key Findings From "The Forrester Wave™: Commerce Platforms, Q2 2005"

by Tamara Mendelsohn, April 29, 2005

Although IBM views its commerce application less as an application and more as an extension of its strong application server platform, the product has evolved to be much more than a tool set. IBM has significantly increased the number of packaged processes . . .

Commerce Platforms Scorecard Summary: ATG

Key Findings From "The Forrester Wave™: Commerce Platforms, Q2 2005"

by Tamara Mendelsohn, April 29, 2005

ATG is a midsize software company with annual revenues of $70 million that has been in the commerce platforms market since the mid '90s. This experience results in a highly specialized product, with strong marketing and personalization features. These . . .

Commerce Platforms Scorecard Summary: Oracle

Key Findings From "The Forrester Wave™: Commerce Platforms, Q2 2005"

by Tamara Mendelsohn, April 29, 2005

Oracle provides a strong eCommerce solution through a combination of its iStore product and eBusiness Suite. Oracle has traditionally sold its eCommerce solution for use in B2B scenarios but recently has gained traction in the B2C market, especially as . . .

For Business Process & Applications Professionals

Blue Martini Goes Private

Acquisition By Golden Gate Doesn't Alter Prospects

by Andrew Bartels, April 4, 2005

Blue Martini Software, one of the leading eCommerce software vendors, was acquired and taken private in an effort to revive its lagging fortunes. This acquisition is a modest positive for existing Blue Martini clients, but doesn't change the dismal outlook . . .

For Business Process & Applications Professionals

Commerce Server Interest Grows — Again

The Commerce Platforms Market: 2004 To 2008

by Andrew Bartels, Sharyn Leaver, January 10, 2005

Increased competition for online customers in North America, combined with Europe's growing eCommerce trade, is causing firms to re-evaluate their commerce platforms. But that doesn't mean that the commerce platform market will explode. Instead, Forrester . . .

For Application Development & Program Management Professionals

Magic Software's iBOLT Brings SOA To SAP Business One

by Henry Peyret, Ken Vollmer, December 7, 2004

SAP and Magic Software recently signed a partnership agreement for marketing cooperation around SAP's Business One. Business One is SAP's enterprise resource planning (ERP) software dedicated to the low end of the small and medium-size business (SMB) . . .

For Business Process & Applications Professionals

Intershop: Strong Vision to Implement

by Jost Hoppermann, August 8, 2003

A company looking for an integrative sell- and buy-side solution should put Intershop on its short list. A multi-channel-focused project should not consider Intershop as a first choice.

Intershop: Business Solution on Top of Multi-Channel Approach

by Jost Hoppermann, August 8, 2003

When looking for a sell- and/or buy-side business solution with multi-channel capability, Intershop should be considered, but if the focus is on implementing a multi-channel solution neutral to the applications, Intershop should only be second choice.

For Business Process & Applications Professionals

Commerce Server Market Update: Tough Times for Smaller Vendors

by Andrew Bartels, August 1, 2003

In a market segment where innovation is diminishing and demand is weak, vendor viability is a key consideration in commerce servers. Overall license revenues are likely to be down 10 percent for 2003 from 2002, based on year-to-date performance.

Amazon.com's Big Services Platform Play

by Carrie Johnson, Kate Delhagen, June 13, 2003

Amazon formally announced its services business this week, which makes it a real threat to commerce platform vendors ATG, GSI, and IBM and portals AOL, MSN, and Yahoo!

For Business Process & Applications Professionals

Intershop and BroadVision Are Looking Better, but the Challenges of 2003 Loom

by Andrew Bartels, December 10, 2002

While caution is still warranted, Giga believes that companies looking for a commerce server to support business-to-consumer (B2C) or business-to-business (B2B) Internet sales can safely consider either BroadVision or Intershop.

For Business Process & Applications Professionals

Criteria for Selection: Commerce Server Vendors

by Andrew Bartels, November 26, 2002

The choice of a consumer server will become easier during the next two to three years as these applications are absorbed into larger CRM applications or enterprise portal products.

For Business Process & Applications Professionals

Commerce One Viability Under The Microscope

by David Metcalfe, Laurie M. Orlov, November 4, 2002

To cope with a slump in demand, Commerce One added products and cut headcount. But its resources and opportunities won't sustain its strategy. To survive, Commerce One must focus on apps for CPG and put Web services platform efforts on hold.

Scorecard Summary: Microsoft's Commerce Server 2002

by Nicholas Wilkoff, Joshua Walker, October 16, 2002

Microsoft's Commerce Server 2002 is an affordable and safe choice for firms looking to buy a commerce platform. But buyers should expect to also invest in complementary Microsoft products for integration and content management support.

For Business Process & Applications Professionals

Market Overview: Commerce Servers Becoming Pieces in Broader Sell-Side Solutions

by Andrew Bartels, May 14, 2002

The commerce server as a stand-alone product is gradually fading away. Instead, commerce servers are becoming parts of broader CRM solutions or portal applications.

For Business Process & Applications Professionals

BroadVision Is in Trouble, but Don't Panic Yet

by Andrew Bartels, April 16, 2002

BroadVision is not in danger of imminent collapse, because it has enough cash and marketable securities on its balance sheet to weather a storm; however, it is facing serious questions of medium- to long-term viability.

For Business Process & Applications Professionals

Intershop Still on the Ropes, With Doubtful Prospects for Survival

by Andrew Bartels, April 1, 2002

Commerce server vendor Intershop still looks shaky, despite some recent signs of improvement. Its finances are weak; its products, while competitive, are not significantly better than competitors; and its only advantage is a strong presence in Europe.

Which Commerce Platform For Customer Self-Service?

by Nicholas Wilkoff, Joshua Walker, March 22, 2002

Many of today's commerce sites don't provide an effective self-service experience. Firms can fix this by choosing a commerce platform that supports informative, reliable, and consistent customer experiences.

For Business Process & Applications Professionals

What's New In Microsoft's Commerce Server 2002?

by Nicholas Wilkoff, Joshua Walker, Joseph Volpe, February 5, 2002

Microsoft plans to release Commerce Server 2002 this spring with new globalization and development features. Firms can also expect a low price tag. But buyers need to budget for additional investments in Microsoft's .NET framework and avoid decentralized . . .