The Portals & E-Commerce Expert Forum has firmly established itself as a key event for digital commerce strategies by 2024. Over 120 participants, both in person and online, witnessed industry leaders discuss groundbreaking approaches and future-oriented technologies. This year’s theme, "Limitless Commerce: Conquering Tomorrow’s E-Commerce Universe", focused on innovative solutions reshaping how businesses operate and interact.

The event featured high-caliber presentations from top experts addressing topics related to SAP CX, new business models, and e-commerce strategies. What set this event apart was the perfect blend of practical insights and future-oriented perspectives, preparing participants for both the challenges and opportunities in e-commerce.

Event Highlights

SAP Commerce Cloud – Status Quo & Outlook

Uwe Viessmann, Solution Expert at SAP CX Hybris GmbH (An SAP Company), presented the latest developments in SAP Commerce Cloud, emphasizing its role as a comprehensive platform for various business models and for the integration of AI tools that enhance customer interactions and process efficiency. This approach helps companies to operate in an agile and customer-centric manner in a rapidly changing market. Key takeaways included:

  • AI Integration: New AI tools within SAP Commerce Cloud enhance personalized customer experiences and process efficiency.
  • Composable Commerce: Flexibility through modular approaches allows rapid adaptation to market conditions.
  • Data-Driven Decision-Making: Advanced analytics capabilities help companies optimize their strategies.

Tomorrow’s Commerce: Customer Experience at the Heart of Transformation and Technology

Ron Boes, Director of Innovation & Portfolio at Sybit, discussed the importance of creating seamless, customer-centric online experiences focused not only on efficiency but also on customer loyalty and brand building. He highlighted the value of unified customer portals and the strategic use of customer feedback to boost conversion rates and customer engagement. Key topics included:

  • Customer-Centricity: The importance of a seamless, unified customer platform to enhance loyalty and retention.
  • Data as a Driver: Strategic use of customer feedback and data to optimize customer outreach and service.

 

Top 6 E-Business Trends: Subscription Models and the Limits of Digital Marketplaces

Fabian Huber, Head of Business Consulting at Sybit, introduced the key trends in e-business, including subscription models and the challenges of digital marketplaces. He shed light on the strategic advantages, as well as the dependencies tied to these digital business models, and provided insights into the technological support required for effective customer and partner portals. In summary:

  • Innovative Business Models: The rise and spread of subscription and pay-per-use models as growth drivers.
  • Marketplace Dynamics: Discussing the opportunities and challenges of digital marketplaces, particularly in the B2B sector.

How Sales and E-Business Can Succeed Together

Carsten Rammoser, Sales Manager at Sybit, demonstrated how a successful synergy between sales and e-business can be achieved, with a focus on shared goals and data-driven strategies. His insights highlighted the importance of teamwork and aligned incentive systems to create effective customer experiences both online and offline. Key topics included:

  • Sales and E-Business Integration: Success models built on close collaboration and data-driven strategies.
  • Incentive Systems: Creating aligned incentives for marketing, sales, and e-business to drive common goals.

 

Innovation Without Compromise: Expanding Your Commerce Landscape With Side-by-Side Extensions

Dirk Harzer, PreSales CX Architect at Sybit, explained how Side-by-Side Extensions allow companies to flexibly extend their commerce systems without compromising functionality. These technological solutions enable efficient integration and customization of specific business logic, a major advantage in fast-paced markets:

  • Technological Flexibility: Side-by-side extensions enable rapid, effective adjustments to specific business needs.
  • Tailored Solutions: The potential for custom extensions tailored directly to customer requirements.

Redefining Digital Excellence: FANUC’s Transformation Into an Innovative Customer Portal

Volker Männle, CIO of FANUC Europe, and Marco Röhm, European Expert Customer Portal at FANUC Europe, illustrated how digital transformation can be successfully implemented. By overcoming technical and organizational challenges, FANUC significantly improved customer service and interaction with a customer portal. Key topics included:

  • Digital Transformation in Action: FANUC’s shift to a cutting-edge, customer-centric portal.
  • Overcoming Implementation Challenges: Effective strategies for integrating new technologies into existing systems.

 

Conclusion

The Portals & E-Commerce Expert Forum 2024 not only illuminated current trends and technologies but also demonstrated how visionary approaches will shape the digital commerce of tomorrow. From customer-focused platforms to artificial intelligence and new business models, participants witnessed how limitless commerce is being put into practice. Attendees on-site also experienced innovative presentations on the customer journey of the future in SAP’s immersive IX Room and through various demo pods. This event was an indispensable platform for anyone striving for success in the digital age and highlighted that the future of commerce is being created here and now.