The multiplication of sales channels and the growing digitalization are forcing companies to centralize the management of product information efficiently. A PIM (Product Information Management) system allows the centralization, organization, and enrichment of all product-related data (descriptions, images, prices, specifications, translations…) on a single platform. This centralization reduces silos, minimizes errors, and ensures a consistent product experience across all channels (e-commerce, marketplaces, mobile, print…).

For companies with complex catalogs or an international presence, PIM is no longer a luxury but a necessity: it improves operational efficiency, enhances data quality, and accelerates product launches in new markets.

This article, aimed at decision-makers in medium and large Swiss and international companies, first outlines the key criteria for selecting a PIM suited to business challenges (omnichannel, catalog size, data governance, existing digital ecosystem). It then presents six particularly popular PIM solutions in Switzerland and Europe (Akeneo, Pimcore, Salsify, Contentserv, Stibo Systems, and inRiver), highlighting their strengths and limitations, as well as the potential interest of a custom solution. Finally, it provides best practices for integrating PIM into the Information System (ERP, e-commerce, CRM, DAM, API, security, performance).

How to Choose the Right PIM Solution Based on Your Needs and Ecosystem

To be effective, a PIM must align with your business goals (improving conversion rates, reducing operational costs, shortening time-to-market), your commercial scope (B2B/B2C, channels to cover), and the nature of your catalog (number of products, variants, data richness, multilingual requirements).

Centralized management via PIM eliminates information silos and standardizes product sheets. It is therefore crucial to clearly define your omnichannel strategy and measurable objectives (e.g., error reduction, faster product exports, multilingual compliance, etc.) before making any technology choices.

Key criteria also include integration with your existing IT system (ERP, e-commerce, CRM, DAM, supply chain management) and technical architecture: opt for an API-first solution, capable of natively interfacing (via API or connectors) with your systems (SAP, Salesforce, Magento, etc.).

Make sure the PIM also offers governance workflows (multi-role validation, history, quality control) and robust multichannel export capabilities (an API that enables catalog distribution to the web, marketplaces, print…).

Finally, anticipate the total cost (licenses vs. development), flexibility (public cloud, on-premise, or hybrid), and the vendor’s roadmap (versions, support).

In summary, base your decision on the following points:

• Objectives and Metrics: Align the PIM with your business needs (time-to-market, ROI, customer experience) and address current dysfunctions (data silos, duplicates, product errors).
• Catalog Volume and Complexity: Catalog size, number of languages, product configuration, required enrichment.
• Integration with IT Systems: The PIM’s ability to connect to the ERP, e-commerce platform, DAM, or CRM. Well-documented and multi-compatible robust APIs are essential to ensure product information consistency across all channels.
• Data Governance: Validation workflows, rights and roles management, quality monitoring, GDPR compliance, etc.
• Budget and Economic Model: Licenses (SaaS cloud) vs. custom (open source + development), deployment cost vs. recurring savings (see our article on CAPEX vs. OPEX for more information on this topic).
• Performance & Security: Scalable architecture (cluster, cache, specialized search engine, possibility to develop custom modules) and strong access controls (encryption, traceability, two-factor authentication).

By cross-referencing these criteria, you will be able to compare the leading solutions on the market, each offering a mix of functionalities. For example, Akeneo and Pimcore are highly flexible open-source PIM solutions; Salsify is a SaaS PIM focused on “product experience”; Contentserv is a marketing-focused PIM/DAM; Stibo Systems targets very large enterprises with an MDM+PIM approach; and inRiver offers a cloud-based, multichannel platform focused on sales/marketing.

Each has its strengths and limitations, which we will compare for you below.

Comparison of PIM solutions available on the market

Akeneo – Open Source PIM for E-commerce and Mid-Market

Akeneo is an open-source PIM solution (free Community Edition and paid Enterprise version) renowned for its user-friendliness and modularity. It helps e-commerce businesses overcome product data challenges and deliver a consistent omnichannel experience. Akeneo centralizes product catalogs (multilingual), offers a customizable data model, and provides simple enrichment workflows. Its open-source flexibility allows for screen and business model (attributes, families) adaptations without high licensing costs. In addition, a strong community and numerous plugins facilitate integrations and extensions.

Strengths: easy to use, clear interface (completeness management), multilingual, extension library (e-commerce, ERP, DAM). Its PHP/Symfony architecture integrates well with common tech stacks.

Limitations: the Community version lacks integrated DAM and advanced MDM features. For complex needs (very large catalogs, data quality control, or advanced approval workflows), companies often need to opt for the costly Enterprise version or custom development. The granular permissions management is also less mature than in some enterprise-grade solutions. Akeneo is ideal for retailers and brands looking to quickly enrich product data across standard sales channels, offering a good cost-to-feature ratio.

Pimcore – All-in-One Open Source PIM/MDM/DAM Platform

Pimcore is a German open-source, “all-in-one” platform combining PIM, DAM, CMS, and MDM in a single solution. Designed for large organizations with extensive needs, Pimcore is an enterprise-grade open-source software capable of managing any type of digital data across any channel. This approach eliminates the need for multiple tools: marketing data (product sheets) and technical data (specs, hierarchy) are stored together, media (images, videos) are housed in an integrated repository, and web content is managed through the attached CMS.

Strengths: extremely customizable and scalable. Pimcore offers tailored workflows, a very flexible data model, and can scale with the business volume. Its API-first architecture supports headless deployment, and its open codebase (PHP/Symfony) allows for any adaptation. Ideal for complex IT systems (e.g., deep integration with ERP or CRM) and for those who want to centralize as much data as possible within a single stack. Another advantage: no license fees or vendor lock-in, and limitless potential for growth with your company, thereby reducing technical debt and total cost of ownership.

Limitations: more complex to deploy than a turnkey SaaS solution. It often requires technical support (developers or integrators) for installation, configuration, and custom development. The initial deployment may take longer. In summary, Pimcore offers maximum freedom and functionality for high volumes, at the cost of an implementation that typically requires professional intervention.

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Salsify – Cloud PXM for Multichannel Product Experience

Salsify is an American SaaS platform that combines PIM and DAM within a Product Experience Management (PXM) approach. It is particularly aimed at brands and distributors looking to feed numerous retail channels (large retailers, marketplaces, etc.). Salsify combines product information and media management to create engaging product experiences across all sales points. Its interface is highly polished and intuitive, designed so that marketing and e-commerce teams can quickly enrich and distribute product sheets without heavy training.

Strengths: all-in-one cloud solution, PIM leader in commerce according to IDC. Strong syndication capabilities (automatic publishing to Amazon, Google, e-commerce sites…), integrated analytics and quality control. Fast deployment with no infrastructure to manage, automatic updates, and commercial support.

Limitations: fully proprietary and SaaS-based model (no open-source edition or on-premise hosting). Expensive licenses and recurring charges per user. This rich toolbox can sometimes be too rigid for highly specific business needs: the standard workflows and connectors cover most retail use cases, but very particular needs may require additional work. Salsify is well-suited to B2C/retail environments requiring rapid deployment and integrated management of omnichannel content, provided the subscription costs are properly budgeted.

Contentserv – PIM/DAM Focused on Marketing and Collaboration

Contentserv is a European provider whose PIM/DAM platform supports marketing teams in end-to-end product data management. Contentserv is a well-regarded solution that helps businesses manage product data, media, and multilingual content from start to finish. It combines a PIM with a robust DAM and emphasizes collaboration: for example, the supplier/retail portal and collaborative workflows make it easier for multiple contributors to feed the catalog.

Strengths: designed for marketing teams and omnichannel distribution. Automatic classification tools, advanced translation management (language geolocations), and complex product configuration (price/variant matrices). Management dashboards, native integration with marketing systems (campaign management, CRM). In short, Contentserv simplifies the creation of rich, localized, and consistent product content across all communication channels.

Limitations: heavy proprietary solution – deployment and maintenance are costly. Its architecture can be complex, requiring a learning curve. ROI is often realized through enhanced data quality and marketing productivity, but TCO includes licenses and often custom integrations. Contentserv is well-suited to large Swiss and European companies looking for a robust PIM+DAM solution with a strong marketing focus and unafraid of vendor lock-in.

Stibo Systems STEP – MDM/PIM for Large International Groups

Stibo Systems (STEP) is a solution widely used by large companies for global product data management. It combines Master Data Management (MDM) and PIM: rather than managing only marketing data, it also handles logistical data (supplier references, inventory, prices). STEP emphasizes data quality and governance throughout the product data repository. It is a cloud/enterprise solution designed for multi-entity and multi-channel environments with high data volumes (retail, industry).

Strengths: excellent MDM maturity, multi-vector management (multiple channels and multiple source references), high scalability. Advanced quality controls and MDM workflows ensure data reliability across the process. Numerous connectors (ERP, e-commerce, etc.) facilitate integration into a complex IT system.

Limitations: long and heavy implementation. STEP is an expensive solution (licenses and services) mainly reserved for very large companies. Its extensive functionality may be excessive for more modest needs. It is mainly justified for very large catalogs and structured organizations (for example, wholesale or industrial sectors). For mid-market Swiss companies, its robustness may be oversized.

inRiver – “Agile” SaaS PIM Focused on Multichannel Marketing

inRiver is a Swedish SaaS PIM platform, highly focused on marketing and commercial use cases. It stands out for its flexibility and large-scale orientation: inRiver is designed to support companies up to a large scale and efficiently manage multichannel product content distribution. Its interface is modern and simple, with features such as product storytelling (creating content packs) and rapid enrichment to meet marketing team needs.

Strengths: easily adaptable cloud solution with a highly configurable data model (flexible data models, APIs). It facilitates product catalog management (marketing plans, promotions, local versions). Its strength lies in its ability to quickly adapt to new channels or formats (mobile, IoT, etc.).

Limitations: like Salsify, inRiver is purely SaaS, with a pricing model based on catalog percentage or per-user licenses. Independence from the vendor is therefore limited. For very specific needs, it is necessary to check the availability of connectors or resort to additional development. inRiver is well-suited for companies with strong omnichannel ambitions (distribution, cosmetics, fashion, etc.) looking to accelerate their product time-to-market.

Custom PIM: A Flexible, Scalable, and Independent Alternative

Beyond packaged solutions, some companies consider a fully custom-built PIM or a semi-custom solution (based on an open-source tool or framework such as Pimcore). This choice offers several advantages. First, with open source, you have access to the source code: the platform can be customized as needed to match your business processes (data attribution, management rules, interface). Recent studies highlight that “the main motivations for adopting open-source software are advanced customization and technological independence,” something we increasingly observe with our clients who wish to move away from heavy, restrictive solutions imposed in the past.

With open source and custom development, the company faces none of the limitations of a standard product: workflows and data remain 100% controlled internally, and the potential for evolution is infinite to align the solution with your growth and roadmap changes.

Here are the main reasons why companies choose to develop their own custom PIM:

• Maximum flexibility: a custom PIM precisely adapts to internal needs (workflows, data formats, specific reporting). It can also grow without the obligation of moving to a paid upgrade.
• Scalability: since the code is open, it’s possible to evolve the solution (architecture, performance, new interfaces) at the pace of the business. For example, Pimcore (open source) is often used as a base for a scalable business-specific PIM.
• Independence from vendors: by adopting this custom or hybrid approach, you avoid vendor lock-in. Instead of paying for licenses and having to renew your IT system with every product update, you invest in internal development. You also free yourself from the arbitrary decisions of proprietary software vendors who add or remove features at their discretion and on their own schedule.
• Long-term ROI: no recurring license fees for users. The initial cost (development, hosting) is often offset by the absence of fees and the complete alignment with business value (no extra costs for unused features).

Of course, the downside is CAPEX: time must be budgeted for development and internal maintenance or for hiring a specialized integrator/engineer. The project then takes the form of an IT R&D initiative. It requires solid project governance (agile method, incremental evolutions) and technical skills. However, for companies seeking flexibility and wishing to exploit their entire data chain without compromise, open-source custom development remains a highly attractive option. In addition to integrating existing solutions, Edana offers this type of support.

Discuss your needs with an Edana Expert

Best Practices for Efficiently Integrating Your PIM into Your Existing IT System

Once the PIM is chosen, its integration into the digital ecosystem must follow several principles. First, prioritize an API-first or headless architecture: the PIM must be able to communicate with each business system via standardized RESTful APIs (microservices). This approach facilitates maintenance and scalability (for example, a middleware can orchestrate exchanges with the ERP, e-commerce site, and DAM).

Here is an overview of the different types of connections made to integrate a PIM into its digital ecosystem:

Connection to ERP/CRM: synchronize references, inventory, prices, and technical attributes between the ERP (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and the PIM. Available connectors or an integration bus (ESB/iPaaS) can automate these exchanges to avoid manual entries. A custom-built interface is also an option.

E-commerce, e-service, and marketplaces: plan for the automatic export of catalogs to your e-commerce platform (Magento, Shopify, Salesforce Commerce Cloud…) and your marketplaces (Amazon, Galaxus…). A mature PIM will offer ready-to-use adapters or APIs to quickly feed each channel. Note that multichannel distribution requires robust APIs to ensure the consistency of product information across all touchpoints.

Digital Asset Management (DAM): integrate your images, videos, and documents into the PIM or synchronize it with an existing DAM system. Ideally, there should be a central repository for media so that they automatically remain linked to product sheets.

Performance & Security: scale the PIM to its usage (clusters, cache, indexed search engine such as Elasticsearch) to handle the load (server queries, media volume). Implement security measures (strong authentication, encryption of sensitive data, logging). Also, manage access rights finely (who can edit or approve sheets).

Finally, plan the integration in stages: start by connecting one or two channels to validate the architecture (performance and security tests), then expand to others.

Plan to train users (product owners, marketing teams) on the new data processes and document field mappings (to avoid any information loss during synchronizations). The objective is to use the PIM as the single source of truth.

Get Support from Edana

As we have seen, the selection and integration of a PIM must be guided by business needs and the company’s strategy.

Edana’s approach focuses on open platforms (Pimcore, Akeneo…) and/or custom development to ensure scalability, security, and the absence of lock-in. By relying on hybrid architectures (a combination of cloud and on-premise, depending on the needs), we ensure seamless integration into the IT system while protecting sensitive data.

Open source notably allows for infinite PIM customization and ensures technological independence. Our agile methodology and technical expertise (PIM, DAM, API, security) maximize ROI: we deliver a tool perfectly aligned with your business model, with no hidden costs.

If you would like to explore a PIM project suited to your Swiss or international context, our experts are here to assist you. Let’s discuss your product information management challenges and your omnichannel ambitions.

Discuss your challenges with an Edana Expert

A successful e-commerce strategy starts with selecting the right platform—one that aligns with both your business objectives and technical requirements. In Switzerland as elsewhere, medium and large enterprises face a vast array of e-commerce and e-service platforms as they pursue digital transformation. Choosing the right platform is a strategic decision: the wrong choice can hinder growth, inflate costs, and even jeopardize the entire project. Conversely, the right platform delivers performance, scalability, and a clear return on investment. According to several experts, choosing an ill-suited platform is among the most common—and costly—mistakes that limit the success of an e-commerce or e-service initiative. It is therefore crucial to understand the key differences between the leading options on the market.

In this article, we present a detailed comparison of the main e-commerce and e-service solutions currently available, focusing on modern, high-performing options (such as custom development with Node.js/React, BigCommerce B2B Edition, Medusa, and Commercetools) and those best avoided (like Magento/Adobe Commerce, SAP Commerce Cloud, Odoo, and Bagisto). We will examine essential decision-making criteria including API-first architecture, headless design, asynchronous processing (Node.js vs PHP/Java), security, scalability, and the ability to avoid vendor lock-in. You will find comparative insights on performance, flexibility, total cost of ownership (TCO), licensing, and implementation timelines—presented in a way that is both technically thorough and accessible to business decision-makers. Real-world examples from well-known companies (Netflix, Stripe, Danone, BMW, and others) will illustrate technology choices that align with the needs and priorities of today’s mid-sized and large organizations. Lastly, we’ll briefly mention emerging platforms (such as Saleor and Vendure) to provide a complete overview of the current landscape.

Why Is Choosing the Right E-Commerce Platform So Important?

Before comparing solutions, it’s important to understand why this decision is so critical for an enterprise. The digital landscape is evolving rapidly: both consumers and B2B clients now expect fast, personalized, secure online experiences across all channels—web, mobile, marketplaces, and beyond. An ill-suited e-commerce or e-service platform can seriously hinder your ability to meet these expectations. For instance, the wrong platform choice may result in a slow website, limited flexibility, poor integration with your existing systems, and escalating maintenance or licensing costs. In contrast, the right solution will support your growth sustainably over the long term.

Choosing the right platform also helps reduce the risk of project failure. Numerous studies list poor technical platform selection among the most frequent causes of failure in e-commerce initiatives. This choice directly impacts website performance (loading speed, ability to handle traffic), customer satisfaction (user experience, features), operational costs (hosting, development, licenses), and even marketing agility (ability to deploy new features or sales channels quickly).

Swiss companies in particular often have specific requirements: multilingual presence (French, German, Italian…), high levels of security and compliance, integration with local ERP/CRM systems, and more. The selected platform must be able to accommodate these needs without requiring excessive custom development. The B2B market especially demands tailored features (multi-account management, negotiated pricing, complex ordering processes) that not all platforms provide out of the box.

In short, investing time upfront to compare and select the right platform is essential to ensure the success of your e-commerce or e-service overhaul. Let’s now explore the key technical and strategic criteria to keep in mind when evaluating potential solutions.

Key Criteria: Headless Architecture, API-First, Asynchronous Design, Security, Scalability, and Vendor Independence

When undertaking an enterprise-level e-commerce project, several core criteria should guide your technological decision-making. These factors help assess whether a solution can truly support your business and technical objectives over the long term.

Headless Architecture & API-First

This is a modern architecture where the front end (user interface) is decoupled from the back end (data and business logic). All interactions occur via open APIs.

Why it matters: This setup provides high flexibility—you can build distinct interfaces (website, mobile app, partner portal, etc.) that connect to the same backend. It also simplifies future evolutions: the UI and core logic can evolve independently. This architecture naturally supports omnichannel strategies, where a single backend powers multiple digital touchpoints.

Today, almost all modern platforms follow this API-first/headless paradigm (e.g., Commercetools, Medusa, BigCommerce in headless mode). Legacy platforms like Magento or SAP Hybris often tie front and back ends together, reducing performance and limiting personalization capabilities.

Asynchronous Design and Performance (Node.js vs PHP/Java)

The underlying tech stack greatly affects how well a platform handles high volumes of concurrent users. Node.js, Deno, and Bun (JavaScript-based) use an event-driven, non-blocking model, enabling them to process many connections with minimal resources.

Why it matters: Real-world examples speak volumes:

• PayPal doubled request throughput and reduced latency by 35% after switching from Java to Node.js.
• Netflix cut app startup time from 40+ minutes to under 1 minute by migrating part of its backend from Java to Node.js.

These gains stem from Node’s single-threaded event loop, which avoids the overhead of traditional multithreading.

In contrast, platforms built on traditional PHP or Java may slow under load, as each request may monopolize a thread. While modern PHP 8 and reactive Java are improving, Node.js remains superior for high-concurrency environments.

For a CTO or CIO, this can translate into fewer servers, lower infrastructure costs, and reduced carbon footprint—valuable gains both financially and environmentally.

Security and Reliability

Platform security is non-negotiable—especially in e-commerce where customer data and payment flows are involved. Key considerations include frequency of updates, sandboxing, protection from common attacks (SQL/XSS), and resilience mechanisms (e.g., backups, clustering).

Why it matters:

• SaaS platforms like BigCommerce, Medusa Cloud, or Commercetools take care of security and infrastructure, often providing continuous updates and certifications (e.g., PCI-DSS, GDPR).
• Open-source or custom solutions (e.g., Medusa, Magento, Odoo, from-scratch builds) offer more control but require you to manage patches and stay vigilant.

Legacy platforms like Magento have suffered repeated security vulnerabilities, pushing companies toward more modern or managed solutions.

As for reliability, cloud-native microservices architectures (Commercetools, custom Node.js systems) offer better fault isolation—a failed module doesn’t bring down the whole system. This enables zero-downtime deployments, which is a critical point for CTOs aiming for 99.9%+ availability.

Scalability (Handling Growth)

Your platform must scale with your business—supporting larger catalogs, more traffic, and higher transaction volumes without performance degradation.

Why it matters:

• Headless/microservices-based platforms scale horizontally: individual services (cart, inventory, etc.) can be replicated on demand.
• Monoliths (like SAP Commerce) often require duplicating the entire application, which is less efficient, more costly, and increases your carbon footprint.

Case studies show that feature rollout speed is also a form of scalability. A MACH architecture (Microservices, API-first, Cloud-native, Headless), like Commercetools, drastically shortens time-to-market compared to monoliths.

For example, deploying new features on SAP Commerce Cloud is often slow and risky, making it less viable in today’s fast-moving digital environment.

Scalability also enables omnichannel deployment: modern platforms should allow you to add new channels (marketplaces, IoT devices, B2B portals) without requiring a rebuild.

Independence and Long-Term Viability (Avoiding Vendor Lock-In)

No company wants to be trapped in a proprietary ecosystem after launch. Yet some platforms make migration costly and difficult, locking businesses in.

Why it matters: One CIO from a Swiss e-commerce firm stated:

“We can’t migrate away from the system—we’re locked in for life… the only way out is to rebuild everything from scratch, which is expensive and wipes out all our SEO and marketing efforts.”

This quote—about Shopify—applies broadly to any closed platform.

To ensure long-term viability, businesses should favor:

• Open-source solutions (editable code, data hosted in-house)
• Standards-based, interoperable platforms with API access and data export options

A custom Node.js/React build gives you full code ownership and zero license fees. Even platforms like Commercetools, while SaaS, offer clean, standard APIs—so rebuilding or migrating later is possible if needed.

Conversely, all-in-one suites from large vendors (Adobe, SAP) can result in prohibitively high exit costs. Also assess the community and ecosystem: a vibrant open-source project (like Medusa or Saleor) ensures longevity and support beyond a single vendor.

In short, assess each platform’s technical architecture (headless vs monolithic, Node.js vs PHP/Java), product philosophy (open vs closed), and operational attributes (performance, security, scalability).

Keep these strategic criteria in mind as we compare the leading market options below—followed by a look at the platforms you should avoid, to help you sidestep common e-commerce pitfalls.

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Comparative Overview of the Main B2B and B2C E-Commerce and E-Service Platforms on the Market

Let’s now examine the key contenders. We’ll take a closer look at four established and innovative solutions that currently stand out for ambitious e-commerce projects: a custom Node.js/React development, the BigCommerce B2B Edition SaaS, the open-source Medusa platform, and Commercetools, the microservices-based solution. For each, we’ll cover their key features, advantages, limitations, and typical use cases.

Solution 1: Custom E-Commerce Development in Node.js/React with TypeScript

Technology Description

This consists of developing a fully tailored e-commerce or e-service solution, using modern technologies on the front end (e.g., React/Next.js, Vue, Angular) and the back end (Node.js with frameworks like Express, NestJS, etc.). Sometimes referred to as a custom framework. This approach is headless by nature: the front end (React) consumes the APIs from a bespoke Node.js back end. Edana often recommends this model for specific projects, taking the time to analyse the business holistically and build a solution 100% tailored to the client’s needs.

While technologies like Java (Spring), PHP (Laravel), or .NET are also viable, the combination of Node.js, React (or Next.js for SEO), and TypeScript offers the best balance of performance, flexibility, and development speed. This full-stack JavaScript/TypeScript approach ensures technical consistency, high productivity, and the ability to build advanced UX interfaces. That agility makes it, in our view, the most relevant choice for a scalable and well-integrated custom project.

Advantages of Node.js/React Development with TypeScript

Maximum flexibility: you can precisely replicate your business processes and create unique user experiences. No functional limits—everything is possible, unlike pre-packaged platforms.

The code belongs to you (no licensing fees), so there’s no vendor lock-in. Technically, a well-structured Node.js back end is highly performant and scalable. A microservices architecture can be adopted (e.g., separate services for catalog, orders, payments), ensuring great scalability and maintainability. On the front end, React enables rich UX interfaces as single-page apps or with server-side rendering using Next.js for SEO.

Major tech firms have proven this stack’s efficiency: Netflix uses Node.js to serve its UI to millions of users smoothly. PayPal also showed that developing in full-stack Node/JavaScript halved the development time (compared to Java) and significantly boosted user performance.

In short: custom Node/React = performance + customisation + independence.

Drawbacks

The trade-off is the initial cost and implementation time. Building a platform from scratch requires a substantial budget and several months depending on complexity. You need a skilled technical team (or a reliable partner) to design, develop, and maintain the solution—challenging for some companies, though agencies like Edana specialise in this type of custom project.

A custom solution also means developing everything: few ready-made modules like Magento, SAP Commerce, Salesforce Commerce, or Shopify provide. You’ll need to build or integrate basics (cart, orders, promotions) using NPM packages. However, open-source tools can speed up development (e.g., integrating Elasticsearch, Stripe via APIs). Scalability depends on the initial architecture: it must support load increases (e.g., via service-based architecture, scalable DB). Maintenance is also on you: tests, dependency updates, server monitoring—this is the cost of software freedom. But with a good IT partner, it remains manageable.

Who Is Custom Development For?

This choice fits companies with specific needs unmet by standard platforms, or those seeking a strong competitive edge via tech (innovative UX, complex IS integrations) or operating in a VUCA market that requires them to pivot quickly. A relatively significant budget is necessary (depending on the development partner), and a mid-to-long-term vision is advised. Fintechs, industrial firms with complex configurators, or innovative digital services often go this route.

For example, Decathlon uses NestJS (a powerful, secure Node.js framework) to build scalable back-end applications aligned with its innovation and integration needs. Walmart also relies on custom Node.js architectures to meet the massive demands of its e-commerce and deliver smooth, large-scale user experiences. These examples show how well-designed custom development enables companies to stay competitive through high-performance and adaptable infrastructure.

In Switzerland, many large firms choose tailor-made solutions to deeply integrate e-commerce with their IS (in-house ERP, CRM, etc.) without compromise. If your goal is a high-quality solution perfectly aligned with your needs and built to scale, custom Node/React is an excellent choice.

Solution 2: BigCommerce B2B Edition (SaaS for B2B E-Commerce)

Technology Description

BigCommerce is a well-established American SaaS e-commerce platform, positioned as a mid- to high-end alternative to Shopify. It recently introduced a B2B Edition—essentially an Enterprise version enhanced with features designed for inter-company sales. BigCommerce runs in the cloud (hosted by them) and is accessed via the browser. Its key differentiator: it’s an “Open SaaS” and headless-ready—you can use BigCommerce as-is with its built-in front end, or as a pure headless e-commerce back end connected to a custom front end (via their APIs). The B2B Edition adds modules for account management, negotiated pricing, quotes, and more—tailored for wholesalers, manufacturers, and other B2B players.

Advantages of BigCommerce B2B Edition

As a SaaS, BigCommerce speeds up time-to-launch. You can have a minimalist but functional storefront online in just weeks or months, as infrastructure, security, and updates are all managed by BigCommerce. The B2B Edition provides ready-made B2B features such as multi-user company accounts, role and permission settings, customer-specific price lists, quote requests (RFQ), bulk ordering, account-based payments, and more. This covers a wide range of needs for suppliers and manufacturers—without requiring custom development.

BigCommerce also stands out for its openness: there are no transaction fees (unlike Shopify), and its API-first philosophy (over 90% of features are exposed via API) enables full headless use. In practice, this means you can use BigCommerce as a backend engine and build a fully custom front end in React/Next.js, for example—BigCommerce supplies product, cart, and order data via API. This headless compatibility has won over companies seeking to combine platform stability with custom front-end freedom.

In terms of performance, BigCommerce is known for stability and scalability (real-world clients report handling sales peaks with ease).

As for cost, it is competitive compared to other enterprise-grade solutions: no six-figure license fee, just a subscription (usually a percentage of sales or a negotiated monthly flat fee)—typically a few thousand francs per month for a large enterprise. This is often lower than the combined infrastructure and maintenance costs of a self-hosted equivalent. Finally, because BigCommerce is a multi-tenant SaaS, it may be more environmentally friendly (though not quite on par with custom Node.js): your store shares an optimized infrastructure instead of occupying underutilized servers.

Drawbacks

Using a SaaS means a degree of dependency on the vendor (moderate vendor lock-in). BigCommerce is more open than most (data exportable, etc.), but you’re still tied to their ecosystem: if the platform evolves in a direction you dislike or prices increase, your options are limited (migrating would be a full-scale project).

Advanced customization is possible, but still constrained: outside headless mode (i.e., using the default front end), you’re restricted by their templates and modules. Even in headless mode, some business logic remains fixed. For instance, if you have very specific pricing rules not supported natively, you’ll need to work around them via external functions or scripts—because you can’t alter the SaaS core or create server-side plugins like in open-source or even certain proprietary platforms.

Another limitation: BigCommerce B2B Edition is still relatively new. It may lack the maturity of more established B2B platforms like SAP Commerce or Adobe Commerce (Magento), which offer long-proven B2B modules. It’s important to verify whether all your B2B needs are truly covered—this is not guaranteed by default.

On the integration front, BigCommerce offers a broad range of apps and connectors (ERP, PIM, etc.) but doesn’t provide the same level of integration flexibility as open-source solutions. You’re limited to the APIs they provide, which may restrict complex use cases.

And in terms of cost: while BigCommerce is cheaper than SAP or Adobe licenses, it’s not to be mistaken for a budget option. This remains an enterprise-grade SaaS: a project based on B2B Edition typically requires an Enterprise-level subscription (a few thousand CHF/month), plus potential additional fees on sales volume beyond a certain threshold. In return, however, you avoid infrastructure and maintenance costs and get access to high-level technical support.

Who Is BigCommerce B2B Edition For?

This solution is a strong fit for mid-to-large B2B companies looking for a fast, robust deployment without investing in a custom build—especially those with standardized needs or at least compatible with available features and no plan to diverge too much from typical e-commerce models. For example, a distributor or manufacturer wanting to launch an online ordering portal for business customers could adopt this solution and quickly benefit from built-in B2B features (custom catalogs, recurring orders, etc.).

There are real-world success stories: Saddleback Leather, a US retailer, saw its online growth accelerate after migrating from Magento to BigCommerce. The switch brought more stability and lower maintenance costs. In Switzerland, an industrial manufacturer with standardized, repeatable B2B processes could use BigCommerce B2B to offer a modern professional portal—with login, custom payment terms, and more—without building everything from scratch. It’s a solid middle ground between customizability (via API/headless) and simplicity (via ready-to-use features). Note that in multi-store mode, BigCommerce lets you manage several storefronts (e.g., multiple brands, B2C and B2B) from a single back office—which is useful for groups operating in multiple markets.

In short, BigCommerce B2B Edition stands as a modern alternative to traditional B2B commerce suites: more agile, often more cost-effective, and delivering the core functionality needed to sell to businesses—provided your processes remain within the bounds of standard e-commerce. Otherwise, the risk is ending up stuck or having to piece together workarounds, accumulating technical debt in the process.

Solution 3: Medusa (Headless Open-Source E-Commerce Platform in Node.js)

Technology Description

Medusa is a next-generation open-source e-commerce platform built in Node.js. Adopted by companies like Heineken, Mitsubishi, and Under Armour, Medusa has emerged as a flexible and independent headless commerce engine, providing APIs and core commerce logic (products, carts, orders, payments, etc.) without enforcing a front end. Launched a few years ago, Medusa has gained traction among developers for its modern approach and composability. It’s a free project (MIT license) supported by a growing community and active contributors. Technically, Medusa provides both REST and GraphQL APIs for all commerce features, a back-office admin panel, and compatibility with any front end (including starters in Next.js and Gatsby). Its modular architecture makes it suitable for various use cases, including multi-vendor marketplaces and basic B2B models.

Advantages of Medusa.js

As a headless and API-first solution from the ground up, Medusa offers excellent flexibility to build custom experiences. You get a complete commerce backend with no licensing costs, hostable on your own infrastructure or in the cloud. Performance is a strong point: Medusa delivers excellent response times thanks to Node.js and a lightweight architecture. Benchmarks have shown that Medusa can be up to 6.5 times faster than Magento for concurrent product queries on the same hardware. This performance boost comes from its architecture difference (Node.js async vs. Magento’s blocking, monolithic PHP). In practice, this means Medusa can handle significantly more user requests on the same server—translating to better scalability, faster UX, and lower carbon footprint.

Another asset is its modularity. Medusa uses a plugin/module system that allows clean customization or feature extensions (e.g., swapping inventory systems, adding search modules) without forking the core. The community already offers many plugins (e.g., Stripe, Contentful). For developers, it’s a pleasure to use: full-stack JavaScript/TypeScript, clear structure, and active documentation. From a business standpoint, Medusa grants independence: your team can adapt everything, deploy anywhere (on-prem or cloud), and there’s no vendor shutdown risk, as it’s fully open-source.

Overall, Medusa strikes a balance between an out-of-the-box commerce engine and the freedom of custom development. It’s faster to deploy than building from scratch (thanks to prebuilt modules) while avoiding the limitations of closed platforms. Importantly, Medusa is free (except for hosting costs)—a compelling argument to reduce TCO. All analyses agree: its total cost of ownership is much lower than Magento (no license fees, fewer resources needed).

Drawbacks

Medusa is still a relatively young project (launched ~2021). It doesn’t yet match the functional maturity of platforms like Magento (which has 15+ years of development). It handles standard e-commerce well (catalogs, variants, discounts), but some advanced features may be missing and require custom development—making it best for semi-custom or hybrid projects. For example, advanced B2B (e.g., hierarchical client accounts, approval workflows) will likely need to be custom-built.

The default admin interface is decent but more minimalist than commercial platforms—it’s developer-oriented. Companies without in-house developers will need to work with an agency or train a team, adding cost but gaining control.

As an open-source platform, Medusa’s support is community-based (Discord, forums) or through partners. This may be less reassuring for decision-makers used to vendor-backed 24/7 support (though Edana offers SLA-backed support). While the community is growing rapidly, it’s still smaller than Magento or WooCommerce, so some connectors may need to be developed in-house.

On the hosting side, running Medusa means managing Node server availability and security—requiring DevOps/cloud skills, unless using a managed service (which is common in enterprise settings). That said, deploying Medusa on AWS, Azure, etc., is relatively straightforward, and some third parties now offer Medusa Cloud services.

Who Is Medusa.js For?

Medusa is well-suited to innovative mid-sized companies, fast-growing e-commerce scale-ups, or even large enterprises looking to test a headless approach without high licensing costs. For example, a high-growth DNVB needing a performant, deeply integrated, and custom storefront will find Medusa an agile framework. Instead of over-customizing Shopify or overspending on Adobe Commerce, it can build on Medusa and adjust freely. Medusa also supports multi-vendor marketplaces, which could appeal to companies launching niche vertical platforms.

Among established enterprises, Medusa is ideal for headless replatforming projects led by IT teams wanting code ownership, TCO optimization, unlimited scalability, or eco-efficiency through Node.js. Think of retailers looking to break free from Magento/Prestashop limitations with something lighter and more modular.

Medusa aligns with Edana’s core values: performance, scalability, and technical independence—leveraging modern technologies (Node, React) without compromise. However, you must be ready to invest in development (though this is often faster than full from-scratch builds).

In summary, Medusa is a forward-looking bet: a young but already powerful and promising headless solution with low TCO and full control. If your organization has a strong tech culture or a reliable digital partner, the gains in flexibility and speed can be substantial. Medusa outperforms Magento, Adobe Commerce, and Salesforce Commerce in speed and performance—making it a serious contender for any company seeking a high-performance commerce platform.

Solution 4: Commercetools (Headless “MACH” Cloud E-Commerce Platform)

Technology Description

Commercetools is widely recognized as a pioneer of enterprise headless commerce. Founded in Germany, this fully cloud-based solution (SaaS/PaaS headless model) embodies the MACH architecture: Microservices, API-first, Cloud-native, Headless. Unlike other proprietary platforms (closed-source or semi-open monoliths), Commercetools offers a suite of e-commerce microservices accessible via API, which companies can assemble to build their commerce architecture. There is no default front end—clients use SDKs or APIs to power websites, mobile apps, in-store kiosks, and more. Commercetools provides specialized modules (cart, catalog, promotions, search, etc.) that communicate via API. This is an enterprise-grade solution targeting large organizations requiring maximum flexibility and scale. It’s licensed in the cloud (with substantial annual costs) and includes vendor support and guaranteed high availability (often on Google Cloud infrastructure).

Advantages of Commercetools

With, the full-custom from scratch solution, Commercetools is likely the most flexible e-commerce solution on the market, though it comes with added complexity. With Commercetools, you can compose your entire commerce stack, selecting only the services you need and integrating best-in-class tools (hence the term “composable commerce”). This lets you tailor the system to your exact business processes, without being constrained by a fixed data model.

Unlimited horizontal scalability: each microservice can scale independently, meaning the platform handles very high volumes—built for global retailers and similar.

Enterprises like Danone, BMW, and Ulta Beauty have revamped their digital commerce using Commercetools, showing its ability to meet complex multinational requirements. Danone, for instance, paired Commercetools with AWS infrastructure to deploy multi-country e-commerce sites from a centralized and reusable core.

Fast innovation cycles are another major advantage: thanks to its modular nature, you can launch new features or interfaces much faster than on monolithic systems like SAP Hybris (where code changes often impact the entire stack). With Commercetools, components evolve independently without requiring full regression testing. Performance-wise, each service is optimized, API latency is low, and cloud-native resilience (CDN, multi-region support) ensures robustness.

Security and reliability are fully managed by the vendor: businesses don’t need to worry about server patches—just proper API use.

From a business perspective, Commercetools is designed for omnichannel excellence: it serves multiple customer touchpoints through the same backend, delivering consistent experiences across all channels.

On the IT integration side, Commercetools connects smoothly with modern ecosystems via APIs and event-driven architecture, making it easy to plug into an ERP, CRM, CDP, or other tools. Choosing Commercetools also means betting on a MACH Alliance leader, ensuring that the platform evolves in step with architectural best practices. For a CTO, it’s a guarantee of having a future-proof commerce foundation over the next 5–10 years, without legacy risk.

Drawbacks

The first hurdle is cost. Commercetools is among the most expensive platforms discussed in this article, in terms of licensing and implementation. Pricing is not public, but large clients often face hundreds of thousands of francs per year in licensing fees, based on usage (API calls, catalog size, etc.). You’ll also need to budget for implementation—usually through an agency or skilled internal team. This is a platform for companies with significant IT budgets.

Second, Commercetools is not plug-and-play: there’s no front end or prebuilt UX. Everything must be built around it—front end, headless CMS, search engine, and more. It’s a central commerce engine, but you must assemble an ecosystem to create a full experience—thus the name “composable commerce.” That means a heavy implementation project requiring solid technical expertise to orchestrate microservices and integrate systems. Initial time-to-market can be long (months, even over a year for a global rollout), though later iterations are much faster.

It’s worth noting that monolithic platforms like SAP Commerce Cloud (ex-Hybris) sometimes come with more ready-to-use features (integrated PIM, personalization, etc.). With Commercetools, these require third-party services (e.g., pairing with Contentful for CMS). It’s a build-your-own stack, so complexity increases. From an HR perspective, you’ll need developers and architects who understand API-first and microservice design—not always available in companies used to all-in-one suites.

Finally, as with all proprietary cloud platforms, there is some vendor lock-in. Migrating away from Commercetools would mean rebuilding much of your stack, even if your data is portable. That said, because Commercetools relies on standard REST/GraphQL APIs, this lock-in is softer than that of legacy platforms like Oracle ATG.

Who Is Commercetools For?

This technology is designed for large enterprises and global groups with highly specific, large-scale requirements. For example, international retailers or global brands operating across many countries and channels. A Swiss company like Nestlé or Richemont might use Commercetools to unify global e-commerce platforms on a flexible core, while letting each brand design its own experience through APIs.

Commercetools is also used in automotive e-commerce, powering online configurators linked to direct sales. Danone used it to launch direct-to-consumer sites in multiple countries quickly, showing its relevance for FMCG players. BMW migrated some of its online sales to Commercetools, demonstrating how even non-traditional e-commerce players are digitizing their distribution models.

In short, this is for organizations willing to invest heavily now for a highly flexible, long-term platform that supports digital transformation over the next decade. For a CMO or CEO, Commercetools makes sense if your business model depends on constant digital innovation and you don’t want tech to hold you back: it offers a powerful foundation for creative development (e.g., AR/VR, voice commerce, etc., via APIs). On the flip side, if you’re looking for a plug-and-play tool—look elsewhere. Commercetools is the anti-turnkey solution.

In summary, Commercetools is the pinnacle of composable headless commerce. It matches Edana’s values in scalability and modern architecture, but it’s best suited to those with the vision and resources to unlock its full potential. Choosing Commercetools is like building your own Ferrari: you get top-tier performance and bespoke configuration, but you’ll need the budget and skilled drivers to operate it.

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Solutions Generally to Avoid (and Why)

No comparison would be complete without mentioning the e-commerce platforms we recommend avoiding for mid-to-large enterprises operating in today’s digital landscape. While some of these solutions were popular in the past or may still appear attractive, they come with technical and economic limitations that make them risky or suboptimal compared to modern alternatives. Here are the key platforms to avoid—and why:

Magento (Adobe Commerce) – Heavy Monolith in Its Twilight

Magento was long a leader in open-source e-commerce. However, Magento 2 (now Adobe Commerce in its paid version) is a complex, heavy, and costly platform to maintain. Its PHP-based architecture, while powerful, belongs to a pre-API era: even though it now supports headless mode, it remains a bulky stack to operate.

Experience shows a lack of performance and flexibility when pushing the platform to its limits. In our team’s many Magento and Adobe Commerce projects, we’ve repeatedly seen the same issues: sluggish performance, rigid integrations, and a back office that’s nearly unusable without developer expertise. Magento requires high server specs or deep optimization just to keep up, whereas newer solutions achieve better results with fewer resources.

Its technical debt also means frequent updates and a high security risk if patches are not applied (e.g., the infamous Magecart attacks). The PHP+Zend stack is also increasingly unattractive to modern developers. Cost-wise, while the open-source version is free, you’ll spend heavily on development and hosting to keep it in top shape. The Adobe Commerce version starts at $22,000/year just for licensing—a steep price compared to more efficient or modern open-source alternatives.

Unless you already run a large-scale Magento setup that’s too expensive to migrate in the short term, starting a new project on Magento today is generally ill-advised. Many companies are moving away from Magento to gain agility (e.g., Saddleback Leather migrated to BigCommerce). In short, Magento/Adobe Commerce is the dinosaur of e-commerce—once king, but now outpaced in a headless, microservices-driven ecosystem. It’s no longer suitable for enterprises seeking speed, adaptability, and innovation.

SAP Commerce Cloud (Formerly SAP Hybris) – Costly, Rigid Megasuite

SAP Commerce (formerly Hybris) is a powerful Java-based e-commerce platform that served major enterprises well in the past decade. But today, it’s a heavy monolith with a complex implementation process. Designed for full integration into the SAP ecosystem, adopting it can lead to significant vendor lock-in if you’re not already a full SAP shop.

Technically, SAP Commerce is often labeled as inflexible: rapid changes are difficult, largely due to its monolithic structure that requires full compilation and deployment for any modification—seriously impacting your time-to-market. In an era demanding rapid releases and A/B testing, this is a major handicap.

While front-end customization is possible, many developers find it archaic compared to modern JavaScript frameworks.

Performance-wise, it can handle large volumes—but only at the cost of expensive, resource-intensive infrastructure (e.g., multiple Java app servers, robust database setups). Delivering truly modern experiences typically requires multiple add-ons (CMS, etc.), revealing its roots in the now-outdated world of integrated enterprise suites. SAP has tried to adapt Commerce Cloud to the headless model, but it remains a rehash of an aging core.

In terms of cost, SAP Commerce is likely the most expensive platform mentioned (alongside Salesforce Commerce). Licenses often run into the hundreds of thousands of francs per year, excluding integration fees from certified SAP partners. Unless you’re a very large enterprise already tied to SAP, the ROI is hard to justify compared to more economical cloud-native alternatives. Comparisons show that platforms like Commercetools or custom-built solutions enable faster innovation and differentiation.

In French-speaking Switzerland, we’ve seen complex SAP Commerce deployments that ultimately delivered average site performance at enormous long-term maintenance cost. Unless you have a very specific case, we strongly discourage using SAP Commerce Cloud for new projects: it’s heavy, expensive, and outdated in its approach. Modern composable solutions are a far better fit for today’s agility-driven environment.

Odoo (E-Commerce Module of the ERP) – Versatile All-in-One, But Limited for E-Commerce

Odoo is a popular open-source ERP/CRM that includes a website and e-commerce module. The idea of having an all-in-one tool (ERP + integrated e-commerce) can be appealing, especially as Odoo is known to be cheaper than SAP, for example. However, for ambitious e-commerce use cases, Odoo quickly shows its limitations. First, it’s fundamentally a general-purpose ERP: its e-commerce module, although improved over time, remains basic compared to dedicated platforms. It lacks many advanced features required by a professional online store (e.g. advanced promotion management, marketplace functionality, experience personalization, native marketing tools). One user we’ve met both online and offline summarized it well: “Odoo has integrated e-commerce, but it can never compete with the depth of functionality of a true e-commerce platform.”

On the performance front: Odoo is built in Python with its own framework, which is great for ERP use, but on the web, it’s known to be slow when handling a lot of data or traffic. User feedback often notes slow-loading pages with large catalogs or scalability issues, as everything runs in the same process.

In addition, the Odoo e-commerce community is much smaller than that of Magento or Prestashop, which means fewer specialized third-party modules. On a technical level, deviating from Odoo’s standard structure to customize the e-commerce functionality can complicate maintenance during ERP upgrades. Finally, Odoo Enterprise (the paid version) charges per user, and while the e-commerce module itself isn’t surcharged, overall costs can climb significantly if many users access the ERP—especially for a suite that remains limited for mid-to-large enterprises.

Odoo is well suited for small businesses looking to unify operations and sales, but for a mid-sized or large company seeking a high-performing e-commerce platform, it’s generally unsuitable—even though some providers try to promote it to larger structures. At most, Odoo might be considered for the back-office (inventory, etc.) connected to a specialized front-end via API. But using Odoo as your main web storefront is risky in terms of customer experience (limited UX, weaker SEO, etc.).

Most SMEs and mid-sized companies that start with Odoo and grow eventually migrate to a dedicated e-commerce solution as they hit certain thresholds, because Odoo can’t keep up (performance or feature limitations). Thus, we do not recommend Odoo as the main foundation for an ambitious e-commerce project. Consider it instead as an ERP complement for smaller businesses.

Bagisto – Laravel-Based E-Commerce Solution Mostly Suited for Small Projects

Bagisto is a relatively new open-source project (built on the PHP Laravel framework) aiming to provide a lightweight alternative to Magento. While it can be a good fit for small e-commerce sites with limited budgets and offers a degree of flexibility and independence, Bagisto is not fully designed for mid-sized or larger enterprises.

To begin with, its features are simplified compared to market leaders. It’s meant to be accessible, but that also means that for a company with slightly higher expectations, limitations will surface at some point. Although a skilled PHP/Laravel developer could enhance it, its core structure remains more constrained than something like Medusa.js. Comparative studies point out: “Bagisto delivers simpler functionalities, while Magento, for example, offers advanced capabilities. Bagisto suits small to medium-sized businesses looking for flexibility and tech independence without plans for major traffic scaling.”

In other words, Bagisto covers only the essentials. Its scalability is limited, and its Laravel architecture (in PHP) can become a performance bottleneck as catalog size or traffic increases.

Bagisto does, however, claim low cost—and that’s fair. There are no license fees, and hosting remains inexpensive due to its straightforward deployment (although it’s not particularly energy efficient). This cost model reflects its target audience well.

That said, Bagisto is still not widely adopted, its community is small, and third-party plugins are scarce. It feels more like an “artisan” project than a battle-tested platform. Notably, no major brands are associated with Bagisto, unlike Magento, Shopify, or others. For a company with strong e-commerce ambitions, choosing Bagisto could be risky—you might soon need to migrate if your business succeeds. It’s smarter to start with a more robust foundation (even Medusa or WooCommerce could be better options depending on your budget).

Ultimately, Bagisto is more of a niche tool for Laravel developers wanting a lightweight embedded shop. For serious professional projects, Bagisto should be avoided—stronger open-source or SaaS alternatives are available.

Salesforce Commerce Cloud – Premium, Closed, and Expensive Solution

Salesforce Commerce (formerly Demandware) is a SaaS platform aimed at the high end of the e-commerce market. It offers a rich, integrated suite with strong omnichannel capabilities and appeals to large international retailers. However, for Swiss mid-sized companies or businesses seeking flexibility, this solution is often oversized and overly restrictive.

The platform enforces a highly closed proprietary model: you must use their stack, tools, and certified integration partners. This significantly limits flexibility, makes integrations more complex, and raises the total cost of ownership. Its architecture is less agile than modern headless solutions—even though Salesforce now offers a headless mode with its “Composable Storefront” (formerly PWA Kit), it remains complex to implement.

Another major barrier: the cost. Salesforce Commerce is likely the most expensive platform on the market (alongside SAP Commerce), with a pricing model based on revenue commissions, high fixed fees, and substantial initial integration costs. A high business volume is needed to justify the investment. Outside of a large-scale project with significant resources and the need for tight integration with Salesforce’s ecosystem (CRM, Service Cloud, etc.), this solution should be avoided.

In summary, Salesforce Commerce only makes sense for very large enterprises already invested in Salesforce products. For most Swiss SMEs or companies aiming for a more controlled ROI, it’s better to opt for more open, modular, and cost-effective platforms that better support growth, independence, and scalability.

Salesforce Commerce Cloud – Premium, Closed and Costly

Salesforce Commerce (formerly Demandware) is a SaaS platform aimed at the upper end of the e-commerce market. It offers a comprehensive and integrated suite with strong omnichannel capabilities, appealing to some large international brands. However, for Swiss mid-sized businesses or those seeking agility, this solution is often oversized and overly restrictive.

The platform enforces a very closed proprietary model: you must use their stack, their tools, and go through certified integrators. This greatly limits your freedom to evolve, makes integrations heavier, and increases total ownership costs. The architecture is less agile than modern headless solutions—even though Salesforce now offers a headless mode with “Composable Storefront” (formerly PWA Kit), it remains complex to implement.

Another major obstacle: the cost. Salesforce Commerce is likely the most expensive platform on the market (alongside SAP Commerce), with a revenue-based commission model, high fixed fees, and significant initial integration costs. A substantial business volume is necessary to justify the investment. Unless it’s a major project with strong financial backing and deep integration needs with the Salesforce ecosystem (CRM, Service Cloud, etc.), this platform should be avoided.

In summary, Salesforce Commerce is a viable choice only for very large enterprises already using Salesforce. For most Swiss mid-sized companies or projects with a tightly managed ROI, it’s better to choose more open, modular, and cost-effective solutions to better support business growth, independence, and long-term scalability.

Shopify (Plus) – Excellent for MVPs or Simple Projects, but Scalability Is a Concern

Shopify is a global reference in SaaS e-commerce. Easy to use, fast to deploy, with a rich ecosystem of third-party apps and quality customer support, it’s a very popular platform, including among some major brands. Shopify Plus, its enterprise version, provides more power, more code access (via scripts, APIs), and priority support.

However, despite its many advantages, Shopify comes with important limitations to consider for ambitious B2C or B2B e-commerce projects:

• The architecture is closed (total vendor lock-in): no access to the backend, hosting is exclusive to Shopify, and the structure is rigid.
• Some complex features require costly workarounds or the use of third-party apps, which are often paid.
• The economic model based on commission plus apps can become expensive over time.
• The system’s logic (e.g., price management, variants, or B2B handling) is designed for standard use cases, making it hard to adapt to very specific business processes.

That said, Shopify is an excellent foundation for an MVP or initial market launch, especially if you opt for a modern headless architecture (Hydrogen + Oxygen, Storefront API). This allows you to benefit from Shopify’s stability while controlling the front-end experience. But for multi-country, multi-SKU projects, heavily integrated with IT systems, or with an ambitious roadmap, the platform’s limits quickly become apparent.

In conclusion, Shopify is a strong choice to launch quickly, test a market, or create a simple and elegant storefront. But you should plan for a potential migration if growth is part of your long-term strategy.

Conclusion on the Solutions to Avoid

The solutions listed above should be avoided as they show poor alignment with modern standards (outdated non-headless architecture, lower performance, hidden or excessive costs, and high lock-in risk).

In summary, they should be avoided or selected cautiously depending on the context:

• Magento/Adobe Commerce and SAP Commerce: powerful but outdated, expensive, and not agile.
• Salesforce Commerce: a closed, high-cost solution reserved for very large enterprises.
• Odoo and Bagisto: too limited for ambitious projects, with performance or scalability issues.
• Shopify: a very good choice for MVPs or simple markets, but not suitable for all long-term scenarios.

Our Technological Recommendation

Of course, the best solution depends on the specific context and business needs—a case-by-case analysis is required. That said, in most cases, we recommend building your platform on a modern, headless and API-first architecture (such as Medusa, composable commerce like Commercetools, or a custom Node.js/TypeScript build), to ensure long-term scalability, agility, and technical independence.

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What About Emerging Solutions: Saleor, Vendure, and Others?

To be thorough, let’s briefly mention a few emerging platforms that may catch your eye during your research, even though they are less widespread today.

Saleor is an open-source headless e-commerce platform written in Python/GraphQL, also geared toward composable commerce.

Vendure is another open-source headless solution, written in Node.js/TypeScript, targeting the mid-market segment.

These tools share a philosophy similar to Medusa, Shopify Plus (in the case of Saleor), or Commercetools (for Vendure) in terms of API-first, modular design. While still relatively new with smaller ecosystems, they are evolving quickly. For instance, Saleor is focusing on headless SaaS (they offer a cloud version) and is beginning to see use cases in Europe. Vendure appeals to JavaScript communities looking for a highly modular TypeScript alternative.

Should you consider them? Unless you have a very specific need, these platforms remain less mature than those discussed in detail above. However, for tech-savvy profiles who like to stay on the cutting edge, they’re worth keeping an eye on. It helps to know their names, as they appear in some modern e-commerce platform comparisons. But keep in mind that adopting an emerging solution comes with risks (limited community support, unproven long-term viability). If you’re working with an agency like Edana, we maintain ongoing tech watch and will advise you if one of these becomes a credible, advantageous option for your project.

Build a Long-Term, High-Performance E-Commerce Platform Aligned with Your Strategy

Today’s e-commerce platform market offers many choices. The challenge for Swiss mid-sized and large enterprises is to find the solution that aligns with their business goals and technical context. This comparison highlighted four reference solutions that reflect current trends:

• Custom Node.js/React builds for total freedom and long-term goal,
• BigCommerce B2B Edition for a fast SaaS standard solution oriented toward B2B,
• Medusa for a modern, high-performance open-source platform offering best of both world,
• and Commercetools for an ultra-scalable, composable infrastructure built for enterprise scale and long-term vision.

Each has its strengths and limitations, and the best choice depends on your priorities: deployment speed vs. customization, budget vs. expected ROI, technical independence vs. vendor support, etc.

One key takeaway: concepts like headless architecture, open APIs, asynchronous processing, and composability are not just buzzwords—they are critical success factors for today’s and tomorrow’s platforms. They enable the flexibility needed to innovate (e.g., adding new online services, integrating third-party tools, embracing new sales channels like marketplaces or social commerce), as well as the resilience to handle surges in demand.

In contrast, closed monolithic solutions, beyond their licensing cost, may hinder digital transformation due to their rigidity.

It’s also clear that total cost of ownership (TCO) goes far beyond the upfront license fee: maintenance, scalability, and infrastructure costs vary greatly. For example, while a free solution like Medusa may require more JavaScript development, it avoids high recurring license fees—whereas Adobe Commerce involves both licensing and development costs due to its complex core. Businesses focused on cost-efficiency and sustainability (Green IT) would benefit from lighter, optimized platforms (fewer servers, less energy consumption) compared to resource-heavy legacy systems.

Finally, remember: the success of an e-commerce or e-service project isn’t just about technology—but the platform is its foundation. A well-informed choice—made in collaboration between your tech teams (CTO/IT) and business leaders (CEO/CMO/e-commerce heads)—provides a stable base for executing your digital strategy. A CEO will focus on longevity, cost control, and time-to-market, while a CTO will prioritize robustness, security, and scalability. This article speaks to both, blending business cases (e.g., Netflix or Danone successfully embracing headless) with technical arguments (increased performance, future-proof architecture).

Use these strategic questions as your compass:

• Is my current (or planned) platform limiting my ability to add new services, channels, or integrations?
  To future-proof your operations, aim for a modular, open architecture that can evolve without needing to be rebuilt from scratch.
• What is the true cost of ownership of my solution over 3 to 5 years — in money, time, and agility?
  Look beyond the initial price: consider hidden maintenance costs, technological rigidity, vendor lock-in, or infrastructure overhead.
• Does this tech stack give me a competitive edge, or is it forcing me to play at a disadvantage?
  Technology should accelerate you, not hold you back. A robust, scalable, and eco-efficient foundation is a growth enabler — not a burden.

The answers will likely point toward the modern API-first, headless solutions compared in this article rather than legacy platforms. Whether you choose a targeted custom development, a B2B-ready SaaS, a next-gen open-source engine, or a composable ecosystem, make sure the solution fits your business strategy.

And remember: it’s better to invest in solid architecture now than to pay for costly rework later. As the saying goes in software: “Do it right the first time, or do it again.”

By choosing the right e-commerce or e-service platform today, you avoid painful overhauls tomorrow—and give your company the digital tools to match its ambitions.

With this overview, we hope to have clarified the landscape of B2B and e-service e-commerce platforms. Don’t hesitate to contact the Edana experts for personalized support: every project is unique and deserves in-depth analysis. By combining our strategic guidance with our cutting-edge tech expertise, we’ll help you implement the solution best suited to your organization—for a high-performance, scalable, and future-ready e-commerce platform that drives growth in Switzerland and internationally.

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In a context where the performance of procurement functions is becoming a strategic lever, connecting internal systems to supplier catalogs (and vice versa) is no longer optional. The Open Catalog Interface (OCI) enables companies to digitize and automate their procurement processes while retaining control. This open standard, easy to implement, addresses the needs of CIOs and CTOs seeking fluidity, compliance, and ROI in their B2B purchasing processes. In this article, we will explore precisely what OCI is, its business, financial, and technological benefits, and how to implement it within an e-commerce or e-service ecosystem.

Understanding OCI: An Open Interface for Interconnected B2B Purchasing

Definition and General Principle

The Open Catalog Interface (OCI) is an open standard allowing enterprise purchasing systems (such as an ERP or e-procurement platform) to establish a dynamic connection with their suppliers’ online catalogs. In practical terms, this means that a user can initiate an order in their internal system, directly access an online supplier catalog, select products, and automatically import their shopping cart to complete the purchase request in the ERP—without manual data entry.

This process, known as “punch-out,” replicates the experience of using an e-commerce website while adhering to the company’s internal control measures. It eliminates data-entry errors, ensures compliance with procurement policies, and saves significant time in procurement management.

Key Benefits of OCI for Companies

For companies, OCI represents much more than a simple productivity boost: it is a strategic lever for optimizing indirect purchasing management.

With this interface, procurement teams can secure processes while expanding their access to updated, negotiated offers compliant with framework agreements. It also promotes improved spending visibility, centralized procurement flows, and enhanced capability for cost management.

On the supplier side, OCI simplifies integration within customer environments, strengthening their position in tenders due to improved technical compatibility.

Technical Operation of OCI Punch-Out

OCI (Open Catalog Interface) punch-out allows a user of a purchasing system (ERP or e-procurement platform) to directly access a supplier’s website (e-commerce or e-service) to select products or services, while maintaining integration with the company’s internal purchasing process.

When a user clicks on a supplier catalog link from their ERP, an OCI session is initiated. The user is redirected to the supplier’s website via a URL containing identification parameters (token, session ID, etc.). They can freely navigate the site—be it an e-commerce portal or online service—browse offerings, configure products, or select services.

Once their selection is complete, the contents of the shopping cart are automatically transmitted back to their purchasing system via an HTTP call (often a POST request) following the OCI protocol. This action does not finalize the order; instead, it transforms the cart into a purchase requisition, subsequently submitted to the company’s internal workflow (validation, budget approval, purchase order generation, etc.).

Evolution of OCI in the Face of Alternatives

Supported by a large community, OCI benefits from extensive documentation and a mature ecosystem, ensuring its sustainability even in advanced technological contexts. However, alternatives or complements are emerging according to specific business needs:

• cXML (PunchOut2Go, Ariba): More structured and extensible, suitable for environments requiring highly formalized data exchanges. Frequently used in large organizations with advanced procurement tools.
• EDI (Electronic Data Interchange): Older but still prevalent in industrial logistics chains. Less interactive than OCI but robust for mass automated orders.
• RESTful APIs: Increasingly used in modern architectures. They enable fine-grained, real-time integration but require specific normalization efforts, as they do not rely on a unified standard like OCI.

OCI maintains an excellent balance between simplicity, interoperability, and implementation cost, which explains its longevity. Nevertheless, for large-scale or highly customized projects, OCI may be supplemented or replaced by more specific solutions depending on business context and existing infrastructure.

Business, Financial, and Technological Benefits

Reduction of Administrative Costs

Every manual order represents a cost for the company (data entry, validation, corrections). Thanks to OCI, these costs are drastically reduced. Studies indicate that a digital procurement process costs on average 80% less than paper-based or email processes. This ensures rapid ROI, especially on frequent purchases.

Improvement of Team Productivity

Employees spend less time on low-value tasks. Direct access to a user-friendly catalog, automatic cart transfers, and reduced friction accelerate the entire process. Procurement teams can thus focus on supplier management, expense analysis, or procurement strategy.

Enhanced Quality and Reliability

Data-entry errors, incorrect units, quantities, or prices lead to disputes and losses. OCI ensures the use of accurate, up-to-date product data. This reduces return rates, credit requests, billing discrepancies, and logistical delays, thereby streamlining the entire supply chain.

Alignment with Compliance and Governance Objectives

OCI serves as a safeguard: only referenced suppliers are accessible, orderable products are pre-approved, and transactions comply with the company’s approval processes. This ensures adherence to internal policies and regulatory constraints (sustainable purchasing, sector compliance, etc.).

Increased Perceived Value and Retention on B2B E-commerce and E-service Platforms

In a B2B e-commerce or e-service context, OCI integration enables clients to access multiple supplier catalogs from a single location, directly within their usual interface. This greatly enriches the available offer without complicating the user experience. By centralizing access to a reliable and updated product ecosystem, the platform becomes increasingly essential for daily operations, strengthening professional customer satisfaction and loyalty. Retention rates rise, as do volumes of recurring purchases.

Compatibility with Modern IT Architectures

OCI can be integrated into a microservices-oriented architecture through REST APIs, middleware, or ERP connectors. It coexists seamlessly with other formats such as cXML or EDI. Its adoption does not disrupt existing technological choices and integrates easily into a scalable, modular approach.

Below, we will explore how companies can leverage these benefits through various functional use cases and how OCI can be integrated within their IT ecosystem.

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Functional Use Cases and Business Challenges

There is a variety of use cases for the OCI standard. How it is implemented within processes depends on the company’s strategy, available resources, and various contextual parameters. Below is a non-exhaustive list of typical OCI use cases in Switzerland and beyond.

Case 1: Standardizing Recurring Purchases with Low Strategic Value

In many companies, indirect purchases represent a substantial share of order volume: office supplies, standardized IT equipment, consumables, tools, spare parts, etc. These categories do not justify complex tenders but require rigorous control. OCI automates and streamlines these purchases. Employees directly access an approved supplier, place orders through a user-friendly e-commerce interface, and effortlessly comply with internal procedures.

This enables the company to increase operational efficiency, reduce hidden costs associated with manual tasks, and better manage expenditures while ensuring procurement compliance.

Case 2: Ensuring Compliance and Reducing Maverick Spending

“Maverick spending,” or off-process purchasing, is a frequent problem in organizations where employees bypass official procurement channels. By connecting referenced suppliers via OCI, the company effectively channels its purchasing flows toward contracted partners. This strengthens price negotiations, improves traceability, and enables more reliable budget analysis. Meanwhile, integrated ERP approval and budget control rules continue to apply seamlessly.

Case 3: Continuous Access to Updated Catalogs

One of the major issues in traditional procurement systems is the rapid obsolescence of product data: deleted references, outdated pricing, incorrect lead times, or unreported stock-outs. This typically occurs because catalogs are often imported manually into ERP or e-procurement systems as static files (CSV, Excel, etc.). Between updates, discrepancies with reality can become significant.

With OCI, these limitations disappear. The accessed catalog is directly sourced from the supplier in real-time. Users have continuous access to an up-to-date e-commerce interface, where prices, availability, and terms are immediately reliable. This reduces errors, avoids post-order adjustments, and improves cost and time management. Real-time integration thus ensures reliability and high performance of procurement processes.

Case 4: Providing a Seamless and Consistent User Experience

Multiple suppliers can create heterogeneous processes. OCI facilitates a unified purchasing environment, where each supplier appears within a single interface. Users no longer need to memorize different processes or access separate platforms. This streamlines the adoption of e-procurement systems and ensures better adherence to internal policies.

This can also provide a competitive advantage if you operate a procurement platform, as customers gain direct access to more products and services through your system.

Concrete Example: Swiss Industrial SME

An industrial company with 250 employees in Switzerland aimed to optimize its spare parts procurement. Prior to OCI integration, employees manually entered orders into the ERP using PDF catalogs or external sites. This led to frequent reference errors, pricing discrepancies, and off-contract purchases. The process was time-consuming, preventing employees from allocating their time more effectively.

Edana developed a customized solution integrating OCI with three key suppliers. As a result: 30% time savings per order, near-total elimination of data entry errors, and a 12% reduction in procurement costs for the concerned category, thanks to improved contract compliance.

How to Integrate OCI into Your Digital Ecosystem?

Different Integration Methods

Integrating an OCI protocol can be achieved in several ways, depending on the maturity of your IT system, the diversity of partners involved, and customization objectives. Here are the main approaches available to your company:

Native ERP Modules

Major ERP platforms like SAP, Microsoft Dynamics, or Oracle often provide integrated OCI connectors. These solutions are especially effective when suppliers adhere to the classic OCI standard, significantly reducing integration time and compatibility risks. Activating a native module enables rapid implementation, with maintenance typically covered in the software vendor’s regular updates.

Middleware or Integration Hub

In heterogeneous environments, middleware (or an integration bus) serves as a central component managing various communication formats (OCI, cXML, EDI, etc.). Acting as a “universal translator,” it simplifies exchanges with multiple suppliers while reducing technical complexity on the ERP side. This approach centralizes flows, streamlines error monitoring, and offers more flexible scalability.

Custom Development and APIs

When business needs require extensive flexibility or suppliers use non-standard formats, custom development may be the most appropriate choice. A dedicated microservice orchestrating exchanges between the ERP and supplier catalogs via APIs provides a high degree of personalization. This method allows for integrating advanced business logic, adapting to specific sectoral constraints, or handling complex workflows.

Key Considerations During Integration

Secure Information Exchange

Implementing OCI involves exchanging sensitive data, including order details and shopping cart information. It’s essential to secure these connections (via HTTPS, access tokens, or session identifiers), finely control access permissions, and systematically validate exchanged content. Audit logging mechanisms and automated alerts must also be established to detect anomalies promptly and reinforce compliance.

Scalability and Maintenance

A well-designed OCI integration should stand the test of time. This involves rigorous documentation of data flows, regular testing when suppliers update their systems, and ensuring backward compatibility through validation mechanisms. By anticipating technical changes (such as alterations in supplier URLs or data structures), the system can continue operating uninterrupted. Using open-source components or widely accepted standards enhances the robustness and long-term viability of the solution.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid When Implementing OCI

Though OCI integration is relatively straightforward compared to other B2B protocols, several common errors can compromise effectiveness or robustness:

• Neglecting End-to-End Testing: Many companies test only the cart transfer without verifying the entire workflow (approval, order generation, reception, etc.).
• Underestimating Supplier Updates: If a supplier modifies its catalog, punch-out URL, or cart structure without adequate monitoring, the integration could break unexpectedly.
• Choosing an Overly Rigid Approach: A native module might initially appear simpler but could lack flexibility for specific business needs. Conversely, poorly documented custom developments can become long-term weaknesses.
• Overlooking Access Governance: Leaving tokens or credentials in plaintext or failing to revoke obsolete ones exposes systems to avoidable security risks.

Considering these points during the design phase helps reduce maintenance costs and minimizes service interruptions.

Make OCI a Strategic Lever for Your Business

OCI is not just a technical tool — it’s a performance accelerator for the enterprise. By automating purchasing, strengthening compliance, and streamlining procurement flows, it allows CIOs to directly contribute to cost control and the digital transformation of support functions.

It is also an innovation driver, enabling the experimentation of new organizational models, easier integration of emerging technologies, and greater agility for business teams. By facilitating access to supplier portals or external ordering interfaces, OCI also supports the development of new customer-oriented services and strengthens the company’s competitiveness in its market.

At Edana, we design custom digital ecosystems and have deep expertise in OCI — whether for e-commerce or e-service platforms. We implement it in a way that aligns with your IT system, business constraints, and performance goals. Our modular, open, and secure approach guarantees fast ROI and long-term scalability.

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