IRCE 2018

IRCE 2018  -  Re-Platforming

When to Replatform?

     Start with a SWOT Analysis:  

              Review your Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats

      Only by taking a really hard look at your entire process can you make the determination to invest in re-platforming.

      You may find that technology has advanced and you can now do more for less money.  There is a better experience for your customer. Perhaps it can streamline all  your processes, or advance you into new marketplaces.

      If you balance your findings against your expected ROI, then you can make the decision to replatform or perhaps wait for a better solution to come along.

      And don't take your discovered Threats lightly.  If you don't have the time, talent or money, perhaps now is not the time to replatform.

      Replatforming will totally disrupt your daily life and if not done right, could sink your entire company.

    What parts or all do you Re-platorm?

      You could take the approach to scrap your entire current processes and start fresh.  

       Or you may only want to re-platform because of the design, or backend operations, or extensions and modifications.

      Either way, if you did your SWOT Analysis and constantly balanced it against your Expected Return for your investment, you shouild be able to pin point your exact needs with the least amount of risk.

Vetting Vendors

       Get as many proposals for your project as you can handle (3 to 5 is ideal).  You will learn so much by what is left out of the proposals.  There may be things you did not think of, and even things other vendors did not think of.  By putting proposals side by side, you can write the best proposal for you.  

       Remember, you are in full control up until you sign on the dotted line.  Don't be afraid to ask your potential vendor to modify the proposal.  Just ensure it is written into the proposal and not implied.

       Be sure to get a legal review of any contract you are serious about.  Don't be blindsided by a stipulation that is not legal in your state.  Only an intellectual property contract lawyer can help you with this.

       Always ensure there is an EXIT clause in the contract.  What happens if it becomes to costly, or the vendor can't perform, or they go out of business?  It is ok to have penalties built into the contract that protect you, too.
       Time is money, and if the vendor can't perform then there should be some type of immediate compensation.  There is usually a penalty against you if you don't perform.

       Be 100% sure who owns the work!  Don't find out after the fact that you don't own anything except the customer data.  You paid for design, code, style sheets, functionalities, etc and they should belong to you.

       And does happen if the vendor can't deliver?  What is in the contract to protect you?  Be clear with your lawyer that this piece is critical.  You don't want to wake up tomorrow to a bankruptcy notice from your vendor after you just spent $50 grand and still have nothing to show for it.  Also be sure you have the muscle (ie money) needed to enforce the contract.  If it is going to cost you $100,000 to litigate, and you are already out $50,000, what will it take to at least break even?  Don't wait for it to get bad, before you get this figured out.

       My advice, from experience, is the vendor that asks you what your budget is within the first few minutes of your initial call, is going to be a vendor that is too expensive to work with.  When this happens, I have found that the vendor organization is compensating their sales team on Closes.  They are not looking for long term partnerships that are mutually beneficial.  The Vendor that is more interested on your goals, needs and focuses on you, will be a much better vendor in the long run.  For one, the expectations are better developed in that type of relationship, and not one where you Only get what you can afford.  So when you get to the bottom line, they may be higher on the initial bid, than the "budget focused" vendor, but you can be sure of fewer over runs, fewer points of contention and just a better overall working relationship.

What Resources are there?

        Start with IRCE and use the time on the show floor to ask questions, make introductions and build your wish list.

         You can also attend other trade shows that perhaps are more focused on the specific platform you are leaning toward, like the Magento Imagine Conference.

        Google the Top 10 Ecommerce Platforms, and other variations of the same.  Keeping in mind that many of these are paid advertising.  You will still be able to see a clear pattern form as to the best platforms for specific needs and specific market segments.   My findings this week were broken into 4 groups.  1  The do it yourself, cookie cutter, basic platform that does very little other than build a website.  2  The middle of the road, still very template driven, with a bit more functationality type platforms.  3  The affordable and customizable platforms that offer what you need now and also has what you will need as you grow.  And then finally #4  The does everything, cost everything, large platform that is not anywhere close to where you should be now.

         What I found interesting is that only 2 of the Top 6 Platforms in 2016 are best of breed today.  Many just don't live up to their own hype.  

Can I help?

         If you would like to talk and pick my brain on this subject, please feel free to email me at : Cherri@DiscountCoffee.com

         I can tell you what mistakes I have made and hopefully help you avoid some of the same.  I can't tell you which platform to use, as that is as personal as a finger print.  Only you can do that work and find that right fit.

         I have been thru 7 re-platforming missions, where only 5 were successful.  I am just an e-tailer like yourself, and not perfect by any means.  But just perhaps, I can help you be better at your game.