If you are new to eCommerce, especially for companies that run SAP as their backend ERP, this guide will help you understand what it is, why it matters, and how to approach an implementation that works for your business. We will cover B2B vs B2C models, the core components of an SAP-connected eCommerce platform, the main deployment options in 2025, and lessons from over a decade of SAP eCommerce projects.
Why SAP eCommerce Matters
eCommerce gives businesses a direct line to customers and markets without the constraints of geography or office hours. For SAP customers, an integrated eCommerce solution is more than just an online store. It is a channel that connects directly to your ERP, enabling real-time pricing, inventory, and order processing.
Even if your current customer base is loyal, they are likely comparing suppliers online. The quality of your digital experience, including ease of navigation, accurate information, and a smooth checkout, influences whether they choose you or a competitor.
B2B vs B2C in the SAP Context
Two of the most common models are:
B2C (Business-to-Consumer): The type most people are familiar with, selling directly to end consumers.
B2B (Business-to-Business): Selling to other businesses, often with negotiated pricing, bulk orders, and complex shipping and payment flows.
Both models use similar technology, but B2B storefronts often require additional features like customer-specific catalogs, purchase order workflows, and integration with corporate procurement systems.
Core Components of an SAP eCommerce Ecosystem
1. Product Catalogs
Your product catalog is the heart of your storefront. For SAP customers, this usually means displaying material data, pricing, and availability directly from SAP.
Catalogs may be:
Customer-specific for negotiated pricing or restricted products.
Open for all visitors.
Dynamic with variations based on language, region, or purchase history.
Configurable with SAP Variant Configuration for complex products.
Modern catalogs also include rich content such as images, videos, specifications, and reviews to improve SEO and customer engagement.
2. Shopping Cart and Checkout
A well-integrated checkout allows customers to place orders without ever seeing SAP, while behind the scenes your ERP handles pricing, tax, shipping, and payment processing.
Integration points include:
Mapping orders to the correct SAP order type.
Handling partner data such as Sold-to, Ship-to, and Payer.
Supporting multiple payment and shipping options, often with third-party services for tax and freight calculations.
3. Customer Order Management
Customers expect to track their orders, deliveries, and invoices online. SAP eCommerce sites typically use SAP’s document flow so customers can access order confirmations, packing slips, and invoices without contacting support.
4. CRM, Marketing, and Support Integration
An SAP eCommerce storefront is often part of a larger customer experience suite:
CRM integration such as SAP Sales Cloud or Salesforce Sales Cloud for tracking interactions and managing quotes.
Marketing automation such as SAP Marketing Cloud, Adobe Marketo, or HubSpot to feed promotions and recommendations back into the storefront.
Customer support tools such as SAP Service Cloud or Salesforce Service Cloud to enable ticketing, chat, and order-related assistance.
5. Analytics and Experience Management
Advanced analytics tools, including clickstream tracking, help you understand customer behavior. Customer Experience (CX) platforms such as Qualtrics or Birdeye capture sentiment and feedback, guiding continuous improvement.
Deployment Models in 2025
While the fundamentals remain the same, 2025 brings more flexibility in how SAP eCommerce is deployed:
Model | Who Manages It | Advantages | Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
On-Premise | You manage hardware and software | Full customization and maximum control | Requires in-house expertise and infrastructure |
Public/Private Cloud | You manage software, provider manages hardware | Easier scaling and reduced hardware costs | Still responsible for software updates and configuration |
Vendor Cloud | Vendor manages both hardware and software | Low maintenance and quick deployment | Limited customization and ongoing subscription cost |
Composable Commerce | Mix of microservices and APIs, often cloud-based | Flexibility and choice of best-of-breed components | Requires strong integration strategy |
Key Considerations Before You Start
Role of eCommerce in your overall web presence – Will it be a standalone store or integrated into your main corporate site?
Ownership and support – Will IT, Marketing, or Sales manage the platform?
Budget for customization – Implementation can cost two to three times the license price.
Internal resource commitment – Expect your team to spend 10 to 50 percent of their time during deployment.
How WECO Fits In
WECO eCommerce is built specifically for SAP integration, with real-time data exchange for pricing, inventory, and orders. Whether deployed on-premise, in the cloud, or as part of a composable architecture, WECO helps reduce time-to-market, cut integration complexity, and give your customers a seamless buying experience.
Ready to Simplify Your SAP eCommerce?
WECO Software specializes in deeply integrated SAP commerce experiences, without the middleware.
Contact us to talk to an expert or learn more.
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