B2B E-Commerce with Intershop

Although many B2C functions have now been incorporated into B2B selling, the two models still have distinctive requirements. Typically, B2B is characterized by complex customer structures with customer- or country-specific catalogs and prices, complex address management with multiple addresses and address relationships, and authorization processes. In many cases, tasks within the order process need to be delegated, price negotiations conducted, or quotations created.

A number of business models are possible in B2B e-commerce. There may be a direct link between the selling and buying companies, for example, or both buyer and seller may have business relationships with multiple partners. The buying companies may share a catalog or access separate catalogs. In addition to the typical B2B model, it is also possible to map complex models via marketplaces, B2B2X, B2E, or multi-channel extranet solutions. Control of the entire supply chain is a key element. Intershop provides support here via fully automated integration of suppliers, manufacturers, and sales organizations, right through to buyers.

Thanks to its proven multi-channel technology, Intershop offers a fully integrated B2B channel that enables companies to provide their customers and partners with products and services directly via the Internet. Each product and offer is presented on customer-specific pages. Catalogs can be integrated into external procurement systems, enabling buyers to make purchases in their familiar environment.

The standard storefront for business customers enables browsing of customer specific product catalogs, supports userdefined authorization processes, and allows customer management. Order creation and management are also possible.The enhanced storefront adds custom authorization processes, department and role management, budgeting and assignment of orders to accounts, contract management, and sales agreements. The enhanced storefront adds custom authorization processes, department and role management, budgeting and assignment of orders to accounts, contract management, and sales agreements.

A customer (business partner) may have multiple buyers, who can be separated in organizational terms according to department and cost center. This means that every user can be assigned different access rights, buying limits, and authorization processes to ensure compliance with internal guidelines. Integrated relationship management functionality defines the interdependencies. The user accounts can be exported and imported for administration purposes and it is also possible to deactivate users either temporarily or permanently. This function prevents misuse if the account holder is absent for lengthy periods.

Intershop supports price negotiations and quotations that are valid for a defined period. Once created, purchase orders can be repeated ad infinitum (on an automated basis, if desired). A history function is provided for all existing purchase orders, enabling the rate at which an order is repeated to be tracked, for example. Purchase orders can also be integrated into the client’s authorization process.
Orders are generated, managed, and canceled by buyers and can be stored as templates. If multiple orders for a single client need to be triggered at the same time, Intershop offers a function allowing them to be forwarded between buyers within the client’s organization. Multiple orders can also be consolidated retrospectively. The user triggering the order can track its status as well as export his or her orders.
Thanks to the certified payment framework, it is possible to quickly integrate any payment system with minimal effort.

Underlying authorization processes are a typical feature of B2B orders. Intershop supports all options here, including mapping of departmental and cost center authorizations, authorization processes for individual product categories, and user-specific authorization. In addition, alternate approvers can be set up and a history displayed. Customizable escalation mechanisms provide alerts if set budget limits are exceeded.

To do business internationally, you must be able to speak the customer’s language. It is therefore essential that the user interface supports the local language and character set.
Intershop enables every user to view the storefront in their own language, thus supporting use by international organizations.

The key to successful online selling is ensuring that customers can find the required items and information fast. Intershop features an advanced search function for sophisticated product and content searches. This supports both full text searches and guided searches by product attribute, as well as targeted navigation within the search results.

Intershop supports all established standards for electronic exchange of business data. Sellers, purchasing organizations, suppliers, and distributors can all efficiently interact online via standardized protocols. Easy exchange of product data across individual installations is also possible.

Online marketing campaigns, such as discounts, coupons, and bonus systems, offer powerful options for boosting sales. Coupons can be quickly and easily assigned to customers or customer groups, issued, and used. A coupon can be approved for multiple use or restricted in terms of usage. Linking products to bonus points is an effective marketing tool. The basic idea is well-known: customers receive bonus points for products purchased and use them to buy other products at a reduced price.

Standardized interfaces, such as cXML and OCI, allow integration of your procurement solution into Intershop. After logging into the procurement solution as normal in the accustomed environment, the user then selects the required catalog. Because the catalog is mapped in Intershop, users can place the desired items in the shopping cart and order them via the existing procurement solution.
This makes it possible to target business customers who are tied to an existing procurement solution but would like to offer your products within their organization.

The Intershop architecture and interfaces provided enable integration of all legacy solutions. Linking existing ERP, CRM, SCM, OMS or reporting solutions, for example, creates a solution environment that operates like a network, thus ensuring consistent data across all systems and preventing incorrect postings and duplicated orders.