Composable Commerce
Sebastian Jurth
"Composable Commerce" is undoubtedly attracting attention in the world of e-commerce. In a lively panel discussion with experts Sebastian Jurth, Remmers, Artur Wozniak-Feldmeier, WAGO, and Horst Huber, priint Group, moderated by Volker Wieskötter, Akeneo, it became clear that this concept is provoking a variety of reactions in the industry. We invite you to follow the enlightening discussion in our video recording via QR code and to get a first overview in this article.
Composable Commerce: Flexibility and Adaptability for the Future
The modern retail landscape has changed dramatically. Customers expect personalized experiences, seamless interactions, and convenient shopping across channels. In this context, the term "Composable Commerce" has become a buzzword that is critical for companies to remain competitive in an ever-changing world. In this article, we highlight the key aspects of Composable Commerce and share practical tips from industry experts. In conversation were Artur Wozniak-Feldmeier of WAGO, Sebastian Jurth of Remmers, Horst Huber of priint Group, and Volker Wieskötter of Akeneo, who moderated the discussion.
What is Composable Commerce?
Composable Commerce is an approach that aims to give companies the flexibility to create customized solutions. For a long time now, all information & functions from the commerce customer portals have not only been relevant within the eCommerce platform. The APPs, PIM/MAM, as well as CRM and marketing systems also need the information in order to supply all departments equally and to be able to provide new services on this basis. This is no longer possible with a monolithic architecture. In the meantime, the future belongs to Composable Commerce. At the commerce level, this offers many opportunities to reassemble the system landscape and services very individually at any time. In addition, in rigid monolithic systems, changes are often time-consuming and costly, whereas Composable Commerce relies on a modular structure in which different services and functions are organized into independent units called "services". These services can be seamlessly combined to create innovative customer experiences.
The Composable Approach in Practice
Implementing Composable Commerce requires a clear strategy and a comprehensive plan. Companies need to start developing services early, even though they may still be in an early phase. These services are seen as "building blocks" that can later be flexibly combined to respond to new requirements. Prioritization of services should be strategic and pragmatic, taking into account cost, resources and granularity.
An important step towards Composable Commerce is the identification of bottlenecks and dependencies in existing processes. Companies should analyze where processes are too slow, information is missing or is only available at a single point, and thus not redundant. The development of services should be targeted at these critical points in order to gradually build up the module structure.
Training and customer feedback
To successfully implement Composable Commerce, training is crucial. Employees should have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the new technologies and concepts. In addition, companies should actively solicit customer feedback to continuously improve services. Involving customers in the development process enables companies to respond to the needs and wishes of their target groups and develop innovative solutions.
The role of technology and mindshift
Technology undoubtedly plays a crucial role in implementing Composable Commerce, but it is not enough on its own. The real change lies in a fundamental mindshift and the willingness to break down existing silos and thought patterns. The challenges associated with this change are often underestimated and require a comprehensive realignment of corporate processes and structure. This is because, as a result of the overarching approach, services know no departmental or responsibility boundaries. At best, responsibilities must be managed directly with the processes end-to-end.
Conclusion
Composable Commerce offers companies the opportunity to adapt to the rapidly changing requirements of the modern market and develop flexible, customer-centric solutions. Implementation requires a clear strategy, employee training, active customer feedback and the courage to break down existing structures. Those who successfully manage this change are well positioned to succeed in today's dynamic retail world. Composable commerce is not just a technological change, but a comprehensive transformation that secures the future viability of companies.