PeopleSoft Inc unveiled the next phase of its e-business strategy yesterday by launching eMarketplace; a set of software solutions that enable companies to sell their products over the web while providing integration with back office ERP applications.
The product is part of the software vendor’s PeopleSoft Business Network (PSBN) iniative, launched last November, and comprises a customizable store-front application alongwith modules for sales, customer self-service, product marketing, order fulfillment and analytic applications. It will link into what PeopleSoft calls its enterprise class e business backbone which is basically its set of web-enabled ERP applications providing full front to back office integration.
The first phase of eMarketplace will be available by the end of June, but additional functionality including product configuration and web auctioning capabilities, among other things, will be added over time, said Steve Roop product strategy director for PeopleSoft’s commerce applications.
Roop said the ERP vendor would sell eMarketplace into four main markets. Alongside its existing customers, it will target companies who want to move their existing business to business operations to the web where they can also sell direct to consumers. It will also target internet retailers, companies which it says have cobbled together a first generation solution but who want to move to developing a second generation, fully integrated offering from a single vendor. In addition, it will target traditional mail order and catalogue companies who want to move their mail or call center business to the web.
As well as providing customizable store-fronts, the customer self-service functionality enables buyers to view order history and preferences while product merchandising and marketing functions allow businesses to carry out targeted promotions. It says that integration with PeopleSoft’s supply chain management product enables real-time pricing, inventory availability and access to order, shipment and delivery status. On top of that, it claims that eMarketplace will also leverage PeopleSoft’s Enterprise Performance Management analytic capabilities to enable companies to take customer behavioral and preference data, analyze it, and feed it back into the system to provide a more personalized service next time the customer comes on line.
Like rival ERP vendor, JD Edwards, which earlier this week announced its e-business initiative, PeopleSoft’s eMarketplace is built on Microsoft Corp’s Site Server 3.0 commerce edition. In addition, the company has formed other partnerships with Vertex Inc and Taxware International Inc, for sales and tax processing and with CyberSource Corp for credit card processing. Roop wouldn’t give any details on the pricing other than to say eMarketplace will be sold as a separately licensed application. More details will be announced at launch.
Under its PSBN strategy, PeopleSoft has so far concentrated on delivering MyYahoo-like portal solutions and business communities that are internally focused, for the enterprise only, and which don’t offer connectivity to the outside. Its first community, called Campus Connection, is a portal designed specifically for college or university environments but others will be announced later on this year.
