The Engagement

In early 2005, a large retail company realized that its current e-commerce retail systems supporting its flagship brands were lacking extensibility and flexibility. The in-place system could not support a new add-on brand or product line without having to implement completely new technologies and systems.

The retailer retained Primitive Logic to redesign its systems and implement an SOA solution based on loosely coupled components that re-use existing applications to allow for easy product/brand line expansion.

The Primitive Logic Process

During Primitive Logic's discovery work that included focused interviews, gap analysis, and process audits, it became apparent that Primitive Logic's SOA experience could add great value to the retailer's IT teams. Over a two-month period, Primitive Logic led an effort at the retailer to mentor its IT teams in SOA principles and generate multiple business line buy-in for SOA as part of its overall e-commerce solution.

Next, Primitive Logic helped the retailer build a framework to support all three flagship brands. Primitive Logic built a scaled-down prototype of the overall solution that could both test the waters for the larger solution and showcase the technology to key decision makers in the various business units.

The Outcome

With the completed prototype well-received by management, the implementation of the full-scale SOA system is underway, with full rollout expected in early 2006.

Primitive Logic's platform neutral system is powered by the retailer's IBM Websphere products and backed by Oracle database products. Should the retailer choose to change its hardware solutions, Primitive Logic's SOA solution's versatility can adapt to any installed enterprise system.

By installing an SOA solution at the eCommerce level, the retailer will have new flexibility in bringing products to market and introducing new brand or sub-brands, resulting in quicker response to the competition, improved customer retention, and increased market share.