The Problem

™

The time has come to focus on "Solutions" versus "Tools". SAP does not offer an eCommerce solution as part of their SAP Business ONE portfolio. It is therefore crucial to review the market situation and provide information and resources about the current offerings related to eCommerce. During conversations with partners, customers and an online discussion, we compiled and organized the "Success Factors" for the perfect SAP Business ONE eCommerce solution. When deciding for an eCommerce Solution that works with SAP Business ONE you can measure the available features against those success factors. In order to do this in a structured manner we will complete the following path:

First we look at the solution scenarios based on SAP Business ONE. This is followed by a brief evaluation of the target market and its constraints. We then define the "criteria" that can be used to evaluate features. In essence, this criteria is designed to measure a solution's capability to "Capture the Business Momentum". There are many features and functionalities. We listed the "key eCommerce features" that should be present in a solution in order to enable "End-to-End" processes. The final step is to put the key eCommerce features to the test with the potential target user base in mind. We attempt to measure the overall solution with the innovative "Simple Yet Powerful Test - SYPT". This visual representation is based on the Newton Cradle concept and showcases a solution's potential to "Capture the Business Momentum".

The Solution

The need for web technology is omnipresent and the ROI for web implementations is "undisputed". Using the method shown in this white paper you can "dispute" and better decide for the "right" solution. We will focus on products that are highly integrated with SAP Business ONE. Therefore eCommerce solutions that are not integrated with SAP Business ONE by design are disregarded. Any solution can be integrated and it is not our goal to provide an integration guide in this document. We focus on solutions that are utilizing the DI-API or similar means to "extend" SAP processes to the web. Any "manual" integration will not be part of this white paper. The goal of this document is to highlight the need for end-to-end solutions that seamlessly integrate.

Most emerging companies need a solution that is simple to use, easy to implement and can help them "manage growth". Growth is one thing, but "managing" growth is key. We will later see how the established "Success Factors" can help you identify how this "Management of Growth" can be handled with your preferred solution. In the next section we will identify and define the target market for the SAP Business ONE eCommerce solutions.

The Market - Focus on Emerging Companies

What's a small company? If you ask consultants and customers there are many categorizations and criteria, which is causing some confusion. The definitions actually are different by country and industry. It points to the fact that the categorization is based on the perspective. For example, a company may be large from a SAP Business ONE perspective. However it may be small for SAP mySAP. Please find the complete SAP Business ONE categorization below:

• Emerging (1-10 Employees)

• Small (<50)

• Mid (>50)

• Enterprise (>500)

The eCommerce solutions discussed in this document are targeting the Emerging, Small and Mid-Sized companies. This customer segment is characterized by limited financial resources, limited IT management resources, niche market focus and success based approval processes. Therefore the potential solutions have to deliver an easy to manage solution that has the capabilities to be adjusted to detailed "niche" market needs.

The Criteria - Establishing "Business Momentum"

The quality of a product is determined by the criteria we use to evaluate it. During an online discussion on the LinkedIn SAP Business ONE forum participants were asked to contribute their perspective on the "Key Success Factors for eCommerce" as related to SAP Business ONE. The discussion further underlined the need to organize the success factors and structure them. For example some participants had general complaints about the available solutions while others requested specific features. It clearly showed that there are a variety concerns and requirements floating around. In order to help consultants and customers evaluate their potential eCommerce solution for SAP Business ONE our team organized the success factors as follows:

--Real-Time Integration as the basis to preserve the "Business Momentum"

A key selling point for SAP Business ONE is "Real-Time" information. It is therefore important to evaluate the level of integration for potential eCommerce solutions. Is the solution "Real-Time" integrated or is "Synchronization" required to keep the data updated in SAP Business ONE? There may be reasons to choose one method of integration over the other. However we advise that with respect to the SAP Business ONE designated target market "Real-Time" integration is preferred as it minimizes the requirement for additional consulting hours and/or manual synchronization. We are suggesting this, because a solution that is not integrated in Real-Time may require repetitive manual steps to get the data in sync. In a business management world there are some red flags when we hear "repetitive manual steps" and data that is not in "sync". In addition the value of "Real-Time" integration is that the "Business Momentum" is preserved. The Newton Cradle nicely demonstrates the momentum when different components are connected in real-time. In this white paper we will identify the "Key Features for eCommerce". Those will represent the components that have to be connected in "Real-Time" and preserve the "Business Momentum" in SAP Business ONE.

--Custom Component / Standard Component

Every eCommerce implementation is unique as customers have very specific requirements. At the same time each eCommerce implementation has to meet industry requirements and standards to comply. It becomes clear that a solid eCommerce solution for SAP Business ONE has to deliver the flexibility to meet customer specific requirements while also complying with new industry standards.

When evaluating an eCommerce solution we therefore identify the capability to "customize" the functionality for customers. In addition we list the "standard technologies" that are available. Therefore the "custom/standard" criteria must be evaluated as one. For example customers generally want to implement their custom design. However a modern eCommerce design has standard features that are often integrated with the design. Such standards are "Google Ads, Chat, Web Analytics". As it may turn out most custom features should be based on a standard functionality in the eCommerce solution. This way you avoid programming and make sure the solution can be maintained.

When standard features are not available, eCommerce solutions are "customized" via programming. We highly discourage any programming for customer projects as it defeats the purpose of an out-of-the box solution. We advise customers to approach any programming additions with caution.

Having said that it must be noted that most eCommerce projects have some requirements that cannot be easily implemented in a standard format. That's when your solution selection is crucial. How can a specific requirement be implemented? For example many customer sap online course scenarios already have an existing web and eCommerce solution. It was potentially developed as an expensive custom development. You need to treat such a system like any other "Island of Operation" and evaluate the potential for replacement or integration. Your eCommerce solution should provide options for both scenarios. For example an existing eCommerce website should be easily integrated with the SAP eCommerce checkout process. Therefore an eCommerce solution can serve as a "real-time" connected solution that integrates an existing website with SAP Business ONE.

--Completeness

Are any additional Add-Ons required to achieve "End-to-End" process integration? For example does your eCommerce solution require additional add-ons for Credit Card Processing, Shipping Rate integration, Newsletter Integration or any other essential functionality? This is a crucial aspect, because for any SAP Business ONE implementation you should limit the number of Add-Ons used.

--Proven Track Record / Certification

In order to prove the track record of a solution often the number of customers is utilized. However it is not a sufficient criteria when evaluating solutions. Therefore the following additional criteria should be considered:

- Is the solution "State-of-the-Art"? Often established solutions are outdated or based on old technology. You have to make sure that the solution has a long-term perspective looking forward and not only backward.

- Is there a significant number of customers who purchased the solution, but never used it or otherwise never went "Live". This could point to a discrepancy between "Sales Skills" and "Solution Potential" of a vendor.

- Review industry independent reviews. Is the solution positioned in competitive portfolios?

- Is the solution certified by SAP? This will be a good indication for the vendor's dedication