03/11 Enterprise Commerce solutions: Powering large-scale business operations

Understanding the various commerce solutions tailored for enterprises, their features, and how they cater to the unique needs of large businesses.

With the global eCommerce sales poised to break the $5 trillion mark for the first time this year, according to Statista, it’s clear that the industry is not just growing—it’s thriving at an exponential rate. This growth trajectory is expected to continue, with projections reaching up to $8 trillion by 2026. And even more crazy, 2027 probably around 5.3 billion people will use the eCom market. That’s 67% of the world population. For enterprises, this means that investing in a robust and scalable eCommerce tool is not just an option; it’s a necessity to carve out a significant slice of this multibillion-dollar pie.

Understanding Enterprise Commerce platforms

An enterprise e-commerce system is a comprehensive software solution designed to assist large businesses in operating and boosting sales efficiently. Unlike platforms geared towards smaller businesses, enterprise commerce systems are built for high volume sales and significant growth. They offer high scalability to handle increasing traffic and transactions, resting on a robust infrastructure capable of managing a substantial number of users and transactions.

The importance of scalability and integration

Scalability is the cornerstone of enterprise-level e-commerce platforms. As businesses grow, they require a platform that can keep pace with increased traffic and transactions. Enterprise systems typically offer more features, are highly customizable, and can be integrated with other essential e-commerce tools and ERP systems. This level of scalability and integration is crucial for enterprises that need to manage large inventories and customer bases while streamlining operations.

Features to look for

When selecting an enterprise commerce platform, there are several key features to consider:

• Design adaptability to meet the specific needs of your shop
• Scalability during growth phases
• Unlimited bandwidth and web hosting, preferably cloud-based
• High-speed performance with global content delivery networks
• Robust integrations with other e-commerce tools
• Stringent security features and Level 1 PCI Compliance
• Access to data migration tools
• Mobile commerce apps that are user-friendly
• Point of Sale (POS) capabilities
• Intuitive navigation and design templates
• Omnichannel content delivery
• Reliable and accessible support teams

Basic platform functionalities broken down

The backbone of any successful platform is a robust Product Management system. This feature is not just about adding or removing products, it’s a comprehensive tool that meticulously updates details such as descriptions, prices, and quantities, ensuring that the catalog remains current and accurate. Complementing this is Order Management, a critical component that doesn’t merely track order statuses. It’s an operational hub that oversees the management of orders, harmonising the customer support process by providing essential shipping and billing information. Integral to the transaction process is Payment Integration, which facilitates a seamless checkout experience by incorporating various payment gateways, such as PayPal and Stripe, thus offering flexibility and security to customers. The Shopping Cart functionality is equally vital, serving as a temporary hold for potential purchases and dynamically updating quantities and prices, reflecting changes in real-time. On the customer front, Customer Management stands out by offering a system to handle customer data, encompassing shipping and billing addresses, order history, and account creation, which enhances the customer service experience. For businesses aiming to reach a global audience, Multi-Lingual and Multi-Currency Support is indispensable, breaking down language and currency barriers, thereby amplifying market reach. When it comes to compliance and financial precision, Tax Calculation is a feature that automatically computes taxes based on the order details and customer location, ensuring accuracy and adherence to regional tax regulations. In tandem, Shipping Integration streamlines logistics by syncing with carriers such as UPS and FedEx, which optimises the delivery process. Lastly, the pulse of an eCommerce platform’s performance is monitored through Analytics, which sheds light on website traffic, customer behaviour, and conversion rates, providing a wealth of data that is crucial for strategic decision-making and growth.

There are a lot of Enterprise Commerce solutions out there at the moment. Let us introduce you to the biggest players and their platform solutions.

The top 5 Enterprise Commerce solutions

Let’s look at the biggest fish in the tank at the moment and give you an idea of why they are in the position as they are.

1. Shopify Plus – a tool for unlimited growth

Shopify Plus stands out as a SaaS and headless commerce enterprise platform used by over 10,000 companies across 175 countries. It’s designed for scalability, flexibility, and affordability. As a headless commerce SaaS platform, Shopify Plus handles the heavy lifting on the backend while allowing for easy front-end changes to meet customer expectations and industry trends. Brands like Staples, Heinz, and Allbirds trust Shopify Plus for its enterprise online shop capabilities, reliable bandwidth, international e-commerce support, omnichannel commerce, and detailed reporting.

2. BigCommerce Enterprise – flexibility meets scalability

BigCommerce Enterprise is a heavyweight in the arena of enterprise e-commerce solutions. It’s a SaaS platform that offers the ease of use that BigCommerce is known for, with added features tailored for enterprise needs. It boasts of advanced security, high-end performance, and the flexibility of open APIs, which makes it a strong contender for businesses that prioritize a blend of convenience and customization.

• Robust APIs for seamless integration with existing systems.
• Advanced security features to protect sensitive data.
• Scalable to handle peak traffic and sales periods.

3. Adobe Commerce – customisation at its core

Adobe Commerce, powered by Magento, is synonymous with customization. As an open-source platform, it provides businesses with the freedom to tailor every aspect of their e-commerce experience. However, this level of customization comes with a need for technical expertise, making it ideal for enterprises with dedicated development teams.

• Highly customizable to fit unique business needs.
• A vast community of developers and partners for support and extensions.
• Strong B2B functionality with the ability to handle complex business operation

4. Salesforce Commerce Cloud – intelligent and insightful

Salesforce Commerce Cloud is a cloud-based solution known for its CRM capabilities, providing insights that help businesses understand their customers better. It’s a robust platform that supports omnichannel strategies and offers a suite of services that go beyond the transactional aspects of e-commerce.

• Advanced AI capabilities with Salesforce Einstein for personalized experiences.
• Strong emphasis on customer relationship management.
• Omnichannel support that unifies customer experiences across all platforms.

5. Shopware

Originating from Germany, it has carved out a niche for itself, especially in the European market. Shopware’s platform is designed to be highly adaptable, providing businesses with a toolkit to create unique and engaging shopping experiences.

• Flexibility: Shopware offers an open-source environment, which allows for extensive customization and flexibility.
• User-Centric Design: The platform emphasizes storytelling and emotional shopping experiences, which can be a significant differentiator in the market.
• Community and Support: A strong community and ecosystem of developers and partners provide support and additional functionality through plugins and themes.
• B2B Suite: Shopware’s B2B Suite enables complex business-to-business transactions, catering to the specific needs of wholesale and manufacturing industries.

Why Shopify Plus takes the crown

While each of these platforms brings something unique to the table, Shopify Plus often emerges as the go-to choice for many enterprises—and for good reasons.

User Experience: Shopify Plus offers a user-friendly interface that requires less technical know-how, making it accessible for a broader range of users within an organization.

Scalability: It excels in scalability, allowing businesses to grow without worrying about website downtime or transaction limits.

Global Reach: With its multi-language and multi-currency features, Shopify Plus is well-suited for businesses looking to expand internationally.

Robust Support: The platform provides 24/7 support, ensuring that any issues are promptly addressed, which is crucial for large businesses where downtime can mean significant revenue loss.

Ecosystem: Shopify has a vast ecosystem of apps and themes, which allows for extensive functionality without the need for custom development.

Cost-Effectiveness: Compared to other enterprise solutions, Shopify Plus offers a competitive pricing model that includes hosting, support, and no transaction fees, making it a cost-effective choice for many businesses.

In essence, Shopify Plus stands out for its balance of ease of use, comprehensive features, and scalability, making it a compelling choice for enterprises looking to optimise their operations and drive growth. While other platforms may offer deeper customisation or specific features, Shopify Plus delivers a comprehensive package that aligns with the needs of most large-scale businesses today.

We at Flatline Agency, official Shopify Plus Partners, are here to help you take your business to the next step, including custom development, design, and marketing. If you are interested, please feel free to contact us.