If you've read any of my previous Commerce Server posts you'll remember that planning is the key to success and the first step in this planning process is understanding that "the purpose of any e-commerce solution is to fulfill an order". Everything else is just a means to an end. This means that the center of your e-commerce solution MUST be your company's ERP system.
Keep this guiding principle in mind at all times during your project. All the Commerce Server web site code, SQL stored procedures, BizTalk schemas, maps and orchestrations that you are write are for one simple purpose; to move information in and out of your ERP system so that the ERP system can fulfill your customer's orders.
Most relatively modern ERP systems provide the necessary APIs to import customer purchase orders and export sales invoices in some format, whether EDI, flat-file, iDoc or xml. Before going any further with your e-commerce project, make sure the folks that manage and program your ERP system are brought on board during the very early stages. Without the support of these people, your e-commerce initiative has little chance to succeed.
Remember: The Center of your E-Commerce Universe is your ERP System!
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