In conjunction with the members of our expert panel ‘Replatforming’, we have collected our replatforming knowhow and experience in a bluepaper that sets out a unique model of immense value to companies seeking to reinvest in e-commerce.
This week saw the publication of “Six steps towards a new e-commerce platform”. In conjunction with the members of our expert panel ‘Replatforming’, we have collected our replatforming knowhow and experience in a bluepaper that sets out a unique model of immense value to companies seeking to reinvest in e-commerce.
With its six clear steps, the model imposes a necessary structure on the replatforming process. For instance, it takes account of the impact of replatforming on an organisation in terms of time, money and IT, and shows how senior management, co-workers and customers can be co-opted in this process.
You can download this bluepaper from the ShoppingTomorrow website (Dutch). The findings of the expert panel ‘Replatforming’ and the reports of other specialist groups have published in a new book as part of ShoppingTomorrow’s programme of research.
‘First of all, we advise companies to start with a thorough analysis of the current situation,” says Okko Huisman, CEO of CloudSuite and host of the expert panel. ‘There has to be clarity about why the replatforming is deemed necessary. This could be the high cost or technical shortcomings of the current platform, or the changing demands of markets or target groups. Next, you need to create a sound business case for platform renewal. This is essential to create the necessary support within the organization.”
The next step in Replatforming 2.0 is a description of the existing ICT landscape. The bluepaper contains a detailed multichannel-layer-model than can help create a clear blueprint of current processes and ICT architecture, underpinned by the needs of the customer. “In the final analysis, it is always the customer who decides if the experience we give them is the right experience. Customer centricity demands an integral approach throughout the entire organization,” according to Jeroen van Mierle. He is omnichannel consultant and sales director at foryouandyourcustomers as well as chairman of the panel of replatforming experts.
Huisman adds: ‘You also have to consider the technical aspects and the desired ICT infrastructure. This will determine if the new infrastructure will be created in-house or has to be purchased from a third party, and if the re-platforming will happen in-premise or in the Cloud.”
Only when the business case has gained sufficient traction within an organization and once there is a large degree of clarity around budget and project management can you begin to look at which platform and which partner are a good fit. Here, the expert panel suggests you stick to the 10 Cs when selecting a provider.
Capacity, competence and consistency are some of the criteria that will lead you to the provider that ticks all the boxes for your organization. Once the right platform has been selected, it is time for the final step: implementation of the new e-commerce platform and going live. “It is important to bear in mind that going live is never successful the first time around. You mustn’t underestimate this in terms of timing and testing,” Van Mierle argues.
This is the first of a series of articles we will carry about ShoppingTomorrow blue papers. You can download the blue papers of various panels of experts separately from the ShoppingTomorrow website