A specialty retailer was looking to improve it sales and
web-presence by enabling the purchase of its products via its
existing web site.
The client wanted to maintain the existing look and feel of its
current site while adding the e-commerce capability. A third
party would handle the site’s order fulfillment functions. This
made an interface to the third party’s order fulfillment system
a requirement. It was also desired to empower the client with
the capability to maintain the e-store including changing the
product mix, product prices and availability. The client also
wanted the on-line ordering capability quickly to support a new
marketing campaign and wanted to be able to access and maintain
the database of customers visiting the e-store.
Time and cost factors were important. ISI responded with a fixed
price bid to minimize client risk. ISI then determined that
starting with an existing product would better suit the
situation than a custom effort. ISI looked at the flexibility,
cost, and maintainability of a number of shopping packages.
After selection, ISI modified the package to seamlessly
integrate with the existing site. ISI worked extensively with
the fulfillment partner to ensure the site also met their
requirements.
ISI was able to respond to the client’s requirements with an
enhanced site that not only accepts orders but also collects
information about shoppers to be used in future marketing and
promotional activities. The site is easy to maintain allowing
the client to rapidly make adjustments to product availability
and price fluctuations.
ISI has since been engaged to develop and maintain all of the
client’s websites and to provide a part time contract IT staff.
