A third option available is to wait until the markets mature for middleware
and tools that will aid in legacy systems integration. Emerging products from Open Market and Netscape Communications show signs of promise that they''re up to the challenge of meeting the needs for back-office integration.
Open Market''s Transact architecture offers
extensibility through a series of APIs, delivered as C Language libraries.
These API''s integrate Transact with other commerce applications and data sources. The Customer Data API enables programs running on the Merchant Server to access customer profile data that enriches and customizes the shopping experience based on preferences or buying habits. The Fulfillment API integrates order fulfillment and status reporting tasks. APIs offered through Transact work in batch mode. They rely on periodic synchronization of data from host back-end systems to the Merchant Commerce Server. Though data access does not occur in real time, their linking mechanisms still permit higher degrees of control and improved customer service than what''s possible in first-generation commerce sites.
Netscape''s Electronic Commerce Expert (ECXpert) is a messaging
software implementation that eases integration challenges and uses a robust
set of digital certificates, encryption, and authentication.
Boise-Cascade uses ECXpert to offer Internet shoppers on-demand
transaction processing without the need for value-added network services.
They''re saving $10,000 per month though the use of the system. "Netscape
ECXpert streamlines the time it takes for us to process orders and, as a
result, the products reach customers a lot sooner.
ECXpert''s mapping
capability is especially helpful because it easily converts information from
one back-office system into another. We have customers who want to customize
their files with shipping addresses and other information. EXCpert allows us
to load that information directly into the mainframe, where previously we
would have to have someone to write a special program to do that." states
Laura Longcore, Senior Manager of E-commerce for Boise-Cascade Office
Products.
ECXpert integrates into existing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
and EDI-based purchasing systems to improve both types of online purchasing
-- business-to-business, and business-to-consumer. Bay Networks uses ECXpert
for secure exchange of sales information with both their customers and their
suppliers, permitting automatic updates to Bay Network''s SAP back-office
systems.
ECXpert relies on TSI Software International''s Mercator Authoring
System, an object-oriented data mapping and translation tool that enables
complete customization of any data transformation through a GUI-based
drag-and-drop approach. In addition, ECXpert''s Software Developer''s Kit
(SDK) includes a series of APIs for database processing, importing and
exporting of data, class libraries, and sample report formats.
We''re also beginning to see companies like Netscape and Open Market
form partnerships with systems integrators, enterprise software developers,
network providers, and ISPs. Open Market and Broadvision have teamed up with
Cambridge Technology Partners Inc. and KPMG Peat Marwick, LLP. SAP recently
purchased a 10% stake in Commerce One Inc., and formed a joint venture with
Intel Corporation, called Pandesic, to sell their systems.
IE 7
Firefox 2.0
