Local solution providers say yes to Microsoft`s e-commerce strategy

It seems that nowadays everyone in the IT industry is jumping on the electronic commerce bandwagon, but the question is - how tangible are the electronic commerce solutions on offer? Microsoft believes the proof is in its partners.

Since the launch of its commerce offering in March this year, Microsoft South Africa has seen more than 20 Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) and e-commerce solution providers adopt the Microsoft commerce platform. Closer to fact than fantasy, these companies are proving that electronic commerce is a profitable reality which South African companies cannot afford to ignore.

Local portal, The Digital Mall has effectively displayed the commercial advantages of using Microsoft products with its deployment of several commerce solutions. "The Digital Mall creates individual stores that are commerce enabled in the retail environment. VirtualFlorist, our on-line florist and gift store, is an excellent example of expanding business beyond physical boundaries," said Yaron Asabi, managing director, The Digital Mall.

According to Chris Opperman, the chief developer for VirtualFlorist, Microsoft`s electronic commerce solution, specifically the interoperability of Microsoft Site Sever 3.0, saved at least a week of development time. "As a result, we met our deadlines well within the specified time frames given, which meant the site could start making money sooner rather than later." Apshai`s director, Andrew McHenry says that Microsoft`s commerce offering is a success. "We have seen the benefits of Microsoft commerce platform in two of our customer reference sites, Sweets from Heaven and Server Tools, which have been developed using Microsoft Site Server 3.0 Commerce Edition. Microsoft`s commerce strategy is a comprehensive offering of software products and tailored partner solutions, providing business-to-consumer and business-to-business commerce applications."

Steven Sidley, managing director of Prism Transactive echoes these sentiments. "The Microsoft platform with its myriad of tools and large resource base represents the future software foundation for the majority of commerce platforms. Our partnership with Microsoft has yielded many tangible commercial benefits for our enterprise commerce solutions. We find Microsoft`s proactive approach to commerce to be in line with the vision that we have at Prism Transactive."

Based on the support received by local solution providers, Microsoft has introduced a Commerce Partner Programme, designed to bring together companies that offer and install electronic commerce solutions based on Microsoft`s platform of products. "The benefits of this programme work two-ways - it enables us to keep up-to-date with what our partners are implementing in the commerce arena, while they are kept informed of any new product developments we have lined up," says Calum Russell, electronic commerce development manager at Microsoft South Africa.

"Depending on the nature of their business, customers may need order processing extensions, integration with existing systems and interface with payment systems or financial institutions," continues Russell. "Our partners create customised solutions tailored to customer`s needs. Services offered include payment solutions, software extensions, hosting services and integration and consulting expertise. We have developed a new site on our local Web page to assist our partners in these areas."

"Together with our partners, we are aiming to make electronic commerce a reality in South Africa. And from the impact we have had to date, I think we`re well on target to bring electronic commerce to the South African public much sooner than we anticipated," concludes Russell.

Microsoft`s local commerce partners include Apshai, Digital Skies, e-volution, Intervate Solutions, Enterprise Connection Online, PWC, Deloitte & Touche, Ecnet, USKO E-Commerce, Mosaic Software, Absolute Systems, Netlife Southern Africa, Prism Transactive, Pin-Point IBS, e-crew, Business Connection, Vircom, Destiny Electronic Commerce, Azisa, The Digital Mall, ATD (All Things Digital), E-Business Solutions, Idion Consulting, Webfeat, The Internet Solution, Vortex Communications, Baan South Africa and UUNET.

For more details on Microsoft`s electronic commerce strategy, go to: http://www.microsoft.com/southafrica/ecomm.asp