Dynamic towards website
Most websites in the past were built using a graphical editor which allow you to create html pages.
We can classify this technique as ‘static page building’. Graphical Editor such as Adobe GoLive or Macromedia Dreamweaver allow even the starting builder to get a good and well-working result.
However if you need to show detailed information to a user who's logged in, if you want to search a compare products or allow ordering, this technique is often insufficient. Moreover if you have a website with lots of content, multiple languages etc. a content management system in combination with dynamic page generation is needed. We classify this technique as ‘dynamic page building’. Typical technologies used here are ASP and PHP.
Within the X-Channel Solutions we define xCS.content and xCS.web to fill in this functionality.
Based on the Content Management system we generate pages ‘on-the-fly’ as the user visits the pages. Based on his preferences, his login, his language, we present him with the information he needs.
The basis of publishing to the web is the data in your ERP system. This is the source where most recent product information such as pricing, availability and packaging is stored. However, most ERP systems do not allow you to define very detailed product attributes and information. Therefore you can have two solutions, each with its own benefits and disadvantages.
Adapt your existing ERP system to a fully functional CMS
You can adapt your existing MRP or ERP system such as SAP, Axapta or Baan to have the functionalities you need for a content management system. Features like Media Asset Management, Image storage, Sorting, Selections, Grouping etc. need to be implemented.
Advantages
- Everything is stored in one system
- No synchronisation is needed
- Known environment
- Short learning curve
Disadvantages
- Most of the time it comes down to custom development
- High cost of ownership
- Documentation, Support, Upgrades
- Performance of the system (soft and hardware) needs to be looked at
Implement a separate CMS for maintaining non-logistic information
Some companies have the vision that most information which need to be published can and should not be stored in a system which is mainly developed for logistic, warehouse and production purposes.
Of course this way also has its advantages and shortcomings.
Advantages
- Flexibility of a separate system
- Availability of standardised software to meet your needs
- Documentation, support and upgrades are regularly available
- Features for different groupings, sorting etc. can be stored here without interference with the logistic system
- Product information can be communicated to the market before it needs to be in the ERP system
- Products which have not been sold but are part of a suppliers product assortment can be published
Disadvantages
- New environment which needs to be learned
- Synchronisation functionality is needed
These issues however are just a few that have their influence on your decision. |
