IBM WebSphere Commerce includes a Java-based commerce server to control the flow of information in the WebSphere Commerce system. The commerce server provides all the site/store functionality from browsing a product catalog, to placing an order, to maintaining the store. The functionality is provided by the components shown in the figure below and enabled through multiple electronic commerce enabling technologies. Tools are provided by WebSphere Commerce to build, deploy and operate an electronic commerce installation.

Figure 1. WebSphere Commerce Solution Architecture

The WebSphere Commerce architecture was crafted with long-term support for the enterprise electronic commerce business strategy in mind and is implemented using standard Java 2 Enterprise Edition technologies. IBM understands that different companies and industries have different business strategies to win in the marketplace and that an electronic commerce solution must enable each enterprise to execute on their business strategy. WebSphere Commerce thereby strives to offer enough flexibility and adaptability to embrace business dynamics. An electronic commerce initiative needs to be supported by a set of business processes which may already exist or may need to be fully created or revamped. In virtually all cases, WebSphere Commerce architecture can accommodate business needs and adapt to current environments by providing a stable platform and a comprehensive set of ready to use functions, tools, and business models. WebSphere Commerce automates and integrates electronic commerce processes and externalizes or complements these processes through real-time online collaboration with customers, suppliers and partners.
WebSphere Commerce architecture continually evolves by incorporating the latest technologies and practices coming from IBM research labs or industry adopted standards.

WebSphere Commerce uses an open architecture based on a Java programming model, allowing Store Developers to modify or add commands to customize the behavior of their store. The Java programming model offers several advantages:

• Java code is easy to create and maintain, so Store Developers are more productive and their code more reliable when they customize store operations. It is quite easy to find skilled Java programmers. Java is an object-oriented language, so Store Developers can write applications quickly from reusable parts. Also, Java extensions like Enterprise Java Beans make it an ideal language for client-server, distributed, applications.
• Java Server Pages (JSPs) are easy to create and maintain, so Store Designers with basic Web skills can create or modify store pages. Typically, Store Designers are skilled in graphic design rather than programming.
• Java programming is the industry standard and Java applications are more portable than any other applications, so your development and production systems don’t have to be the same. Also extensive tools support is provided for Java based development.
• Java is the IBM programming language of choice, thus enabling better integration with other IBM software applications. Also, the Java programming model is more unified.

To serve JSPs, to run servlets, and to enable Enterprise Java Beans, you need an application server providing high performance, dependability, and security. WebSphere Application Server provides a robust environment for Java applications making it a strong foundation for your WebSphere Commerce electronic commerce application.