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What is Composable Commerce? The future of B2B, powered by Microsoft
Unlocking the potential of B2B commerce has never been so easy.
Unlocking the potential of B2B commerce has never been so easy.
If you are in the retail or manufacturing sectors, you are surely familiar with e-commerce platforms. Perhaps you have one yourself, and you may be thinking: I already know what’s on the market, nothing significant has changed.
Composable commerce is challenging this standard, and the capabilities it has enabled are reaching a tipping point that promises to disrupt sales across every industry. This revolution is a response to consumer behavior that is reshaping e-commerce, and it’s making it easier to connect with a growing pool of digitally minded businesses.
The best news? If you are already operating on or considering switching to a Microsoft ERP platform, adding Dynamics 365 Commerce to your arsenal is within arm’s reach.
But what is composable commerce, and why should you reassess how it fits into your broader digital strategy? Let’s break down the trends and features that make this upgrade worth your time.
Industry trends increase potential for Composable Commerce
Historically, we have thought of e-commerce mainly as a B2C avenue; a tool for younger consumers to make relatively small, individual purchases. But the incoming generation of business decision-makers grew up in a digital era, and they are now in key roles that directly influence enterprise purchasing.
The days of looking through a catalog (even online) and placing an order by phone or email are becoming an increasingly distant image in the rearview mirror. Research by Gartner uncovered that 83% of B2B buyers prefer ordering and paying through digital commerce portals, and this is not only limited to small purchases. About 75% of this customer segment is comfortably willing to spend over $50,000 on a single order, while 35% is willing to spend upwards of $500,000, according to a study by McKinsey & Co.
83%
percentage of B2B buyers that prefer ordering and paying through digital commerce portals
75%
percentage of digital natives willing to spend over $50,000 on a single order
With so much capital ready to be released at the click of a button, it’s becoming crucial for sellers to establish a solid e-commerce footprint so they can retain clients and take advantage of new opportunities. But with a discerning customer on the other side of the B2B experience, not just any platform will do.
Modular & customizable B2B e-commerce
Composable commerce, at its core, involves separating the front and back-end of an e-commerce platform. This decoupling allows for independent development and customization of each layer, and more importantly, consolidates data across all channels to maintain one single source of truth. In stark contrast to traditional, monolithic e-commerce systems, where changes in one component can disrupt the entire platform, composable commerce offers flexibility and accuracy without sacrificing system stability.
Composable commerce also offers distinct advantages from headless commerce, its immediate predecessor. While headless commerce allows for independent development of front and back-end components, composable commerce takes it a step further by enabling businesses to customize each layer across different channels.
Freedom of choice
This freedom of choice empowers businesses to build a truly unique e-commerce experience that distinguishes them from the competition while aligning with their needs and goals. Whether you want to update your website appearance, change pricing, or run a promotion on a particular channel, you can easily implement changes in any layer while ensuring uninterrupted service.
How Microsoft lowers the investment threshold
Microsoft has been heavily investing in its Commerce platform, so you never have to opt for a siloed external solution again. They have produced a world-class platform that seamlessly integrates into Dynamics 365, leveraging existing data and extending the value of your ERP investment.
With Dynamics 365 Commerce, businesses can unify back-office, in-store, and e-commerce channels seamlessly. This integration not only streamlines operations but also provides a single integration point for third-party solutions, enhancing flexibility and interoperability.
Furthermore, Microsoft Commerce offers a wide range of complementary tools and services, including Azure cloud services, Power Platform, and AI capabilities. By leveraging these resources, businesses can unlock new opportunities for innovation and growth, further driving value across the entire Microsoft ecosystem.
Stake your claim in the composable commerce landscape
Composable commerce represents a paradigm shift in the world of e-commerce, offering businesses unparalleled flexibility and scalability. You can finally create engaging customer experiences, drive operational efficiency, and unlock new growth opportunities, all from the familiar comfort of the Microsoft suite. It’s not just easier. It’s good for business.
Curious about how easy it really is to leverage composable commerce from the Dynamics 365 platform? In our next article of this series, we lay it all out so you can decide for yourself.