IBM Commerce Server Family Extends e-Business to Companies of All Sizes
New Commerce Framework Allows for More Customized Applications
LOS ANGELES (March 09, 1998) – At Spring Internet World, IBM today announced the availability of a family of commerce servers that make it possible for companies of all sizes to reap the rewards of e-business. With two new versions of IBM Net.Commerce* and a new version of Lotus Domino.Merchant*, IBM offers three solutions tailored to meet the individual needs of e-businesses that want to begin conducting secure electronic commerce.
In addition, IBM announced a commerce extensibility framework, a set of open programming interfaces that make it easy for customers and other software vendors to develop seamless, realtime linkages between Net.Commerce and other applications. Based on Java, the framework includes a set of adapters between Net.Commerce and other business systems, such as inventory management systems. Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software vendors are using the framework to link their applications with Net.Commerce so that customer, order, product information and transactions flow smoothly between the two systems.
Joining IBM at Internet World are several new Net.Commerce customers offering a range of both business-to-business and business-to-consumer solutions including: Brookstone Company, Inc.,** Earth Savers** 1-800-Batteries**, Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI)**, and Wolferman’s**.
“The commerce extensibility framework will make it significantly easier to integrate Net.Commerce into all of the existing systems that companies use today to run their businesses. And with our family of commerce servers, IBM now offers a scalable, flexible solution for every size and type of e-business that wants to take advantage of the tremendous opportunity to reach new and existing customers through the Internet,” said Karl Salnoske, general manager of electronic commerce, IBM Internet Division. “Whether a customer is just getting started or in need of a full-function electronic commerce Web site that links all of their other business systems, IBM has the right commerce server solution.”
Commerce Server Family
Lotus Domino.Merchant 2.0 Server Pack
Domino.Merchant 2.0 Server Pack provides everything that small but growing organizations need — including the powerful Lotus Domino 4.6 web server and support for EDI — to customize comprehensive business-to-business or business-to-consumer electronic commerce solutions quickly and cost-effectively using simplified installation procedures. Domino.Merchant 2.0 Server Pack also includes:
SiteCreator 2.0 — for faster, easier-to-customize Web site creation and management, with minimal Internet programming experience.
Electronic Commerce Applications — templates that allow businesses to enhance their Web sites with integrated applications for both the Internet and intranets.
Integration with United Parcel Service’s (UPS**) shipping service — allowing shoppers to track their packages from the commerce site.
Domino.Merchant 2.0 Server Pack will ship at the end of March for an estimated retail price of $3,495.
Net.Commerce Start
Net.Commerce START is designed to support quick entry to e-business at a low-cost of implementation. It includes the Net.Commerce commerce server plus:
Store Creation Wizard — enables merchants to easily create storefronts by using the three predefined starter storefront templates; sets up the appearance, navigation, shopping/buying flow, browsing, registration, check out, method of shipment, sales tax calculation, method of payment and functionality of the site.
IBM CommercePOINT* e-Till — allows merchants to accept a variety of electronic payments protected by Secure Electronic Transaction SET protocol.
Domino.Web and Lotus Domino Go Webserver** compatibility — provides configurable connectivity to the collaboration functions in Domino (e.g. e-mail) for order fulfillment.
Net.Commerce is offered with SmoothSTART, a service aimed at small-to-medium-sized businesses that choose IBM Global Services* or an IBM Business Partner to help implement their electronic commerce site quickly. These Net.Commerce customers receive installation planning, configuration, assistance setting up the payment methods, and a one-day set-up course and training.
Net.Commerce PRO
Targeted at large companies building next-generation Web sites with more sophisticated commerce features, Net.Commerce PRO provides flexibility, enhanced functionality and the ability to integrate the Web site into existing core business systems. Net.Commerce PRO includes all the functionality of Net.Commerce START plus:
Advanced Catalog Tools — create shopping advisors and intelligent search methods to assist customers through the product selection and purchasing process. The tools combine knowledge engineering with search capabilities to provide customized, guided buying assistance.
Back-End Integration Tools — facilitate easy integration into existing legacy software such as IBM CICS*, MQ Series*, IMS*, SAP R/3** and EDI.
Customers take Advantage of Net.Commerce
The most recent customers who are taking advantage of Net.Commerce’s scalability, security, and ease-of-use include:
Brookstone Company, Inc.
Brookstone is recreating the dynamic atmosphere of its stores and catalogs to offer gifts and gadgets that are fun yet functional on the World Wide Web using Net.Commerce.
Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI)
Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) is selling more than 7,000 items of outdoor sporting goods, clothing and footwear on the company’s Web site using IBM Net.Commerce. REI is expanding its IBM RS/6000-powered Web site.
1-800-Batteries
IBM Business Partner Web Emporium** completely renovated the 1-800-Batteries online commerce site using IBM Net.Commerce to allow for fast, extremely intuitive searches, while offering scalability and transaction security. 1-800-Batteries is a leading direct and on-line supplier of high quality batteries and tools for mobile professionals worldwide.
Earth Savers
Earth Savers teamed up with IBM and IBM Business Partner Web Emporium, to design a creative and original Net.Commerce-based solution that employs the capabilities of 50,000 small-to-medium-sized lighting and electrical contractors nationwide.
Wolferman’s
Wolferman’s has been a purveyor of specialty foods and signature baked goods for over 100 years. Wolferman’s brought in the technical and electronic commerce expertise of IBM Business Partner, Cephas, Inc.** to build an electronic commerce-enabled Web site. Since going live, Wolferman’s has received orders from as far away as Greece.
Net.Commerce, powered by DB2 Universal Database*, is available on IBM AIX*, IBM OS/390*, Windows NT**, and Sun Solaris**. On March 27, Net.Commerce will be generally available on the AS/400* platform.
Source: IBM