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hybris Vs Magento: Why invest in a strategic multi channel platform over the Magento web platform?
May 24th, 2011At Portaltech Reply whilst our main competition in the eCommerce re-platform space is typically ATG and Demandware we do from time to time (in smaller deals) come up against Magento based solutions. Here is a quick look at the key reasons for selecting hybris over a Magento build: Much of what I’ve said about PIM powered eCommerce in my previous blog comparing ATG to hybris applies here, in fact even more so. The catalogue management capability in Magento is far less sophisticated making multi currency, multi language, multi site stores possible but heavy lifting in terms of customisation and development. Critically UTF-8 is not properly supported and the business tools for managing multiple catalogues are weak in comparison. If you a trading internationally in any serious way think carefully about whether Magento is the right platform for you. Ask for references and uncover the true cost of the implementation. Almost any platform can eventually meet the requirement given enough [...]
Half of Smartphone owners now shop online via a mobile device
May 24th, 2011In a new piece of research Portaltech Reply conducted with Research partner, eDigitalResearch, 50% of Smartphone owners have now completed some sort of purchase on their mobile, increasing by 20% over just nine short months, with 11% of Smartphone shoppers now using the device to make a purchase on a weekly basis. The study also shows that Smartphone owners are increasingly using their phones to shop, browse and research for products via their phones. Over one quarter (28%) of users now use their Smartphone to find product information on a regular basis and remains one of the most popular shopping activities to complete on a phone. The study looked at the increasing role of mobile in retail commerce and surveyed both Smartphone and non-Smartphone users. The results clearly show the continuing shift in consumer behaviour as more and more shoppers are adapting to new technologies, browsing, shopping and interacting with brands on the move. The results clearly indicate the gr[...]
Portaltech Reply & Bombay Duck win ECMOD Commerce Award for Best Website Makeover
April 7th, 2011We are happy to announce that our client Bombay Duck triumphed last night at the glittering ECMOD Direct Commerce Awards, held at the glamorous Lancaster London Hotel. Bombay Duck and Portaltech Reply won the prestigious ECMOD Direct Commerce Award in the category ‘Best Website Makeover’, for the re-launch and re-platform of their gift retail website: www.bombayduck.co.uk. With over 100 nominations from the best direct retail brands in the country, Bombay Duck were pitted up against prestigious brands such as ASOS, Notonthehighstreet.com, Boden and Naked Wines. The judges were impressed by the quality of entries this year and commented on how tough judging had been. Explaining why Bombay Duck won this award, the Judges commented on the “Very clever use of branding and technology” and said: “The new website fully encapsulates the company, the brand, the ethos – all Bombay Duck stands for and uses technology to improve their business process permanently. Laura Bates[...]
Why choose hybris over ATG?
April 1st, 2011This is a highlight from a recent Linked In discussion on why would an organisation choose hybris over ATG. My original comments plus some further thoughts....... In a nutshell (some of this is covered in the Analysts reports but most of it you have to gain from experience of implementing and working with the technologies) the key advantages of hybris over ATG are: PIM powered commerce: The PIM is at the heart of hybris and makes the technology more capable and more easily integrated in a multi channel environment. Notably multi site, multi language and multi currency sites (s) are virtually out of the box on hybris. Speed of development: hybris is a lighter weight technology stack and can be developed on at pace compared to ATG. Key areas are speed of development environment set up, data modelling, CMS set up and configuration, page template development. Need I go on? Java standards compliancy: Java by the book means you can train (and make useful) a good java developer[...]
Portaltech Reply headlines at eTail London on internationlaised trading and innovations in eCommerce
March 30th, 201111:00am 20th June, Internationalised Trading Workshop: Mark Adams, Sales & Marketing Director, Portaltech Reply Payment Landscape Developments: Unraveling The Complexities Learning Objective: What you need to know to walk the tight rope in managing the complexities of international card scheme charging methods effectively The biggest change in the payment landscape over the last year has been the increasing awareness of retailers as to the true total value costs of international payments. Payment structures are a major piece of the puzzle in branching out internationally. Each country has its own payment instruments, regulations, clearing systems and legislation. For retailers to maximize their sales worldwide, it is necessary to accept the most popular local payment method in each country. International and local credit and debit cards, gift cards, direct debits, real-time bank transfers, bank transfers, [...]
Benjamin Franklin and the Art of Business Development: Lessons for the Internet Age
March 30th, 2011The 1770 and 80s were tumultuous and exciting times in America’s history. The “founding fathers” had catalyzed the nascent country into declaring its independence from England and architected the foundation for what was to become one of the most remarkable ascents of national power over the next 300+ years. These were heady days. But, the challenges facing the country in the late 1770s were also daunting. This was a start-up nation that had declared war against the Microsoft or Google of the time: the all-powerful nation of England. While the American entrepreneurs were courageous, industrious, and intelligent, they were facing a formidable foe – England had the most powerful military and sophisticated technology of the day. Amongst the leaders of the newly-founded nation, there was a realization that the United States could not have prevailed over England alone. They needed an ally. A partner that could help them with resources and capabilities that would[...]
Portaltech Reply & Bombay Duck shortlisted for prestigous ECMOD awards
March 29th, 2011We are thrilled to announce that two of our clients: Bombay Duck and Thompson & Morgan, are shortlisted for the prestigious ECMOD Direct Commerce Awards. Bombay Duck have been nominated for the re-launch and re-platform of their B2B gift retail website: www.bombayduck.co.uk. Founded and established by one sister in 1993, Bombay Duck is now managed by a 2nd sister Laura Bates, whose team designs product in London and manufactures product all over the world. Bombay Duck is characterised by individuality and passion; a brand set up to offer collections of exclusively designed and quirky colourful gifts, homewares and accessories, that are great quality and good-humoured. The site was re-platformed on hybris, using the Quicklive eCommerce accelerator in December 2009 and has since driven sales increases of 62% year on year and has introduced online B2B account management functionality, line by line stock availability information, bespoke product features, improved promotions an[...]
2011: The year of mobile, no really!
March 14th, 2011A great article in the January issue of Internet Retailing on the potential of mobile, the challenges retailers face in integrating mobile offerings and it's role within the multi channel / cross channel customer experience. Go to page 40 @ http://viewer.zmags.co.uk/publication/715152e2#/715152e2/1 One important point I really want to drive home is that mobile should not just be viewed as a channel in it's own right, many are really missing the point on this. Mobile should be used within other channels to take advantage of enhanced customer experience in store for example, to aid/enhance contact centre operations, as a direct marketing tool to drive traffic to the web/mobile site and stores. What's even more critical is that whilst some of us in the industry recognise this potential, few really understand how to make it a reality or aren't able to convince retailers why they should be investing in future proofed, robust, scalable and integrated solutions. A bolt on strateg[...]
Portaltech Reply launches Private Cloud Hosting Platform for high end eCommerce sites
March 12th, 2011At Portaltech Reply we have just launched our new Private Cloud Hosting Platform for high traffic eCommerce sites. With dual data centres providing hot switch disaster recovery and a virtualized server farm with capacity locked to individual customers this private cloud hosting solution is highly secure, redundant and can scale on demand by adding further virtual servers. Extra capacity can be added for short periods of time to scope with extra demand, for example planned sale period, new catalogue / season launches and Christmas trading. The infrastructure has a built in CDN (Content Delivery Network) which is able to serve content to servers located around the world meaning a user coming in from Australia will be served as if the hosting environment was located locally. This is an absolute necessity for any business which has significant international traffic or sites that specifically serve particular regions. The first customer to launch on Portaltech Reply's Private Cloud Hosti[...]
Portaltech Reply Interactive Workshop at the Internet Retailing Expo, NEC, 24th March
March 3rd, 2011Sign up now for our upcoming interactive workshop at Internet Retailing's Expo on March 24th at the NEC exhibition centre in Birmingham: 'Using technology to exploit customer behaviour and drive sales cross channel' Portaltech Reply are experts in Multi Channel Retail and technology solutions for eCommerce. This workshop has been created to engage key stakeholders of brands and retailers, in an interactive activity that will demonstrate the challenges and key technology considerations that should be made in order to secure a future proof, integrated multi channel system for your business. The exercise will be approached by marketing and sales channel and customer target group and will involve direct interaction and discussion with your peers. What you will learn: You will come away from the workshop with a good understanding of the emerging technologies you should be implementing now or considering for the future, by retail channel, as well as suggestions on the appropriate soluti[...]
