SAP Commerce vs Salesforce Commerce: Better Option?

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When talking about e-commerce platform there is a wide range of systems that can support a customers’ needs. So deciding which one best suits your preferences can be difficult. This article is a comparison of two key systems that are best of breed software, SAP Commerce Cloud and Salesforce Commerce Cloud, based on their platform functionality, architectural flexibility, B2B/B2C capabilities, omnichannel commerce and pricing models.

Platform Functionality:

Salesforce Commerce cloud has most of the mainstream e-commerce functionalities built into their system like omnichannel capabilities, internalisation and catalog management capabilities which are incorporated with machine learning, in-line reporting and personalisation via Einstein. It also has access to all the tools present in the Salesforce system. 

However, Commerce Cloud comes from Demandware acquisition which was not built for Force.com, which means it has not yet been fully integrated with other Salesforce products. Further research on whether the other useful tools for business are propped by Salesforce Commerce Cloud or not. If not than a custom development (bespoke integration) would be required to leverage the optional features available and may create complexities, complications and a creeping cost overhead if those tools or extensions do not exist in Salesforce marketplace.

SAP CommerceCloud in contrary, provides a single system for product, content, order and customer experience management. It fits well for large organisations and comes with basic e-commerce features like order management, cart and checkout, omni-commerce, promotion and rule engine which can be used up front to get your business up and running.

SAP Commerce Cloud has modules and accelerators designed for B2C and B2B industries for easy setup with an OOTB range from apparel, electronics and to any type of business.

SAP Commerce Cloud is an SAP product, so it gives the flexibility to integrate it with other SAP products like SAP Marketing Cloud, SAP Sales Cloud, SAP Service Cloud, and SAP Customer Data Cloud without any custom implementation. This really gives an edge to customers who choose to use SAP products as they negate the need for third-party intervention. However, for salesforce, there may be custom implementations required to get the same capabilities as SAP Commerce cloud which, more times than not, lead to the inevitable scope creep and increase in the overall cost of the project.

Architectural Flexibility:

Salesforce is extendible. It has very comprehensive APIs and there are lots of existing extensions and integration available in Salesforce marketplace. Salesforce Commerce Cloud has a good, though smaller community. It has the LINK Marketplace, which can help you find value-added services for your store but due to a smaller community it does not have the same amount of integrations as SAP Commerce Cloud and ultimately comes at a higher cost, but this is part of Salesforce’s stability selling point as well, as all code is examined by them and they do not allow heavy customisations.

SAP Commerce Platform and its modules are built for extensibility and adaptability. Existing features can easily be customised or completely replaced. To make things even more simple, SAP Commerce offers accelerators which help clients to further reduce the time and cost required for e-commerce projects.

Many parts of the SAP Hybris Commerce can be heavily customised.The business model is very flexible and can be tailored to one’s exact needs using an MDA (Module Driven Approach). Each service that is exposed in the ServiceLayer can be customised or even completely replaced.

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