Best Practices for Composable Commerce Migrations

What is Composable Commerce and Why Does it Matter?

Composable commerce is a flexible approach to e-commerce, allowing brands to build a custom commerce solution using modular, interchangeable components. 

The components of composable commerce architecture often include: 

• Storefronts: The customer-facing part of the online store, which can be tailored for different user experiences.
• Payment Gateways: Systems that authorize credit card or direct payments processing for online businesses.
• Order Management Systems (OMS): Platforms that track orders, inventory, and fulfillment.
• Product Information Management (PIM): Systems that manage a company’s product information and data.
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Tools that handle a company’s interactions with current and potential customers.

Unlike traditional models, composable commerce's distinctive and component nature offers adaptability and personalization that helps brands meet unique customer demands. 

What Does a Composable Commerce Migration Mean?

A composable commerce migration involves transitioning from a traditional, often monolithic e-commerce platform to a more flexible, modular system or tech stack. 

It’s about moving from a one-size-fits-all solution to a customizable model where various components — from storefronts to payment systems — are selected and integrated based on the specific needs of a business.

Key elements of the migration include: 

• Customization: Tailoring the new commerce ‘platform’ by selecting specific components that align with the business's unique needs and objectives.
• Integration: Seamlessly combining different technologies to work cohesively, ensuring a streamlined operation and customer experience.
• Flexibility: Gaining the ability to adapt and scale easily, accommodating evolving business needs and market trends.
• Data Transfer: Safely migrate existing data from the old platform to the new composable commerce infrastructure.

Why Brands & Retailers Are Migrating to Composable Commerce

Traditional commerce platforms, while reliable, often face limitations in flexibility and scalability. The monolithic nature of these systems can be a barrier to the rapid innovation required to meet the evolving demands of today’s consumers. 

Composable commerce promises unmatched flexibility, scalability, and customization designed for a retail world that's always in flux.

Preparation Tips for Composable Migrations

Assemble a Dedicated Team

Gather a team of experts. Include internal stakeholders and consider bringing in external partners for specialized skills and insights. Each member should have a defined role, and together, the team should possess the technical and strategic expertise needed for a successful migration.

Discovery & Gap Analysis

Start with a thorough assessment of your existing commerce platform. Identify its strengths, limitations, and the specific areas that need improvement or expansion. 

Be intentional about what works and what doesn’t, and confirm that your new system addresses these gaps effectively.

Set Clear Objectives

Outline your goals. What do you aim to achieve with this migration? It could be enhancing flexibility, improving customer experience, or integrating advanced technologies. Be specific; detailed objectives will guide your choices and strategy throughout the migration.

Identify Necessary Components

List the specific composable commerce components you’ll need based on your evaluation and objectives. Consider your storefront, payment systems, OMS, and other elements. Each should be chosen to address your identified gaps and achieve your set goals.

Develop a Migration Timeline

Create a detailed plan and timeline. It should outline each migration stage, including preparation, execution, testing, and review. 

Allocate Resources

Determine the resources you’ll need - both human and financial. Make sure that your team has the tools and support necessary to execute the migration efficiently. 

The Migration Process

Replatforming from monolith to composable commerce requires a well-orchestrated approach. 

Here’s a step-by-step guide to a routine migration process.

Tech Stack / Component Selection

1. Identification: Identify the specific components that align with your business needs. This could include payment gateways, CRM systems, PIM, and more.
2. Evaluation: Assess the options available for each component, focusing on features, scalability, and compatibility.
3. Decision Making: Choose components that meet the current needs and are adaptable to future changes and advancements.

Data Migration

• Audit: Conduct a comprehensive audit of all existing data to determine what needs to be migrated.
• Cleaning: Cleanse the data to remove redundancies and errors, ensuring only accurate data is transferred.
• Mapping: Map out the data migration path, establishing how data will move from the old system to the new one safely and efficiently.

Integration

• Planning: Develop a detailed integration plan to ensure all selected components work cohesively.
• Implementation: Execute the integration, focusing on seamless interoperability and functionality.
• Testing: Conduct rigorous tests to confirm all elements are integrated properly and working as intended.

Go Live

• Final Review: Conduct a comprehensive review to ensure all systems are operational and optimized.
• Launch: Officially transition to the composable commerce platform, ensuring all operations shift smoothly.
• Monitoring: Continuously monitor the system to identify and address any emerging issues quickly.

Optimization

• Analysis: Regularly analyze the system’s performance, focusing on user experience, efficiency, and functionality.
• Adjustments: Make necessary adjustments to optimize performance, ensuring the platform remains aligned with business objectives.
• Evolution: Embrace a continuous improvement approach, adapting to emerging trends, technologies, and business needs.

Challenges of Moving to Composable Commerce

Like any significant shift in operational strategy, transitioning to composable commerce comes with its own set of challenges.

Data Migrations

Transferring data safely and efficiently from old systems to new ones is intricate. Maintaining data integrity, security, and accessibility requires meticulous planning and execution.

Integration Complexity

Seamlessly integrating diverse components to work as a cohesive unit involves technical complexity. Each component must be precisely aligned, from payment gateways to CRMs for optimal functionality.

Skill Gaps

The new system may bring technological advancements that require specific skills and knowledge. Identifying and filling these gaps is crucial for the effective utilization of the new platform. 

Change Management

Navigating the organizational change, ensuring all stakeholders are informed and involved, and adapting well to the new system are essential to mitigate resistance and enhance a smooth transition.

The Role of an OMS in Composable Commerce & Migration Considerations

An Order Management System (OMS) is integral to composable commerce, acting as the linchpin that connects front-end customer interactions with back-end operational processes. 

It plays a crucial role in managing orders, overseeing inventory, processing transactions, and handling customer data, ensuring that the flexibility of composable commerce is supported by efficient, streamlined order processing and fulfillment.

Migration Considerations

When transitioning to a composable commerce model, the value of a robust and adaptable OMS is clear—and it should be one of the first pieces of technology to secure in your composable commerce technology stack. 

To be successful, an OMS must integrate effectively with various components to ensure operational efficiency and smooth transition.

Here are critical considerations regarding the OMS in migration:

1. Integration Capabilities: Your OMS should be able  to integrate with your existing and new components. It should act as a bridge, minimizing disruption and ensuring that operational efficiency is maintained or enhanced during the migration.
2. Customization: Evaluate the OMS’s adaptability. As composable commerce is characterized by customization, the OMS should be agile and able to adapt to the new architecture's unique configurations and operational nuances.
3. Support and Training: Consider the support and training that accompanies the OMS. As it sits at the center of the migration, ensuring that your team is adept at leveraging its features is crucial for a smooth transition.

The Deck Commerce Approach

At Deck Commerce, we understand the nuanced role of an OMS in composable commerce and during migration. Our OMS is engineered for adaptability and integrates seamlessly with diverse components, enhancing their functionality. 

As brands embrace the tailored, flexible nature of composable commerce, an OMS like ours doesn’t just ease the transition but becomes a cornerstone for future innovation, scalability, and growth. 

Contact our eCommerce migration experts to learn more about how our OMS can elevate your Composable Commerce experience.