E-Commerce Project Management
We advise mid-sized companies independently on e-commerce projects and take over external project management – from analysis through system selection and tender to go-live. For companies with an existing ERP landscape and no e-commerce department of their own. You get a sound architecture, suitable service providers and a project that someone is steering.
The Dilemma of Mid-Sized Companies
You want to build or expand e-commerce. Four hurdles come up again and again:
- Too small for your own e-commerce department
- Too big for simple off-the-shelf solutions
- Too complex due to legacy system landscape (ERP, inventory management, etc.)
- Too little capacity to properly manage agencies and vendors
The result: e-commerce projects fail or fall short of expectations because nobody manages the big picture, interfaces don't work, or agencies sell their own solution instead of the right one.
There is a role for this that mid-sized companies often lack.
Our Approach: The Architect Principle
When building a house, the architect creates the plan, coordinates the trades and monitors quality. The architect doesn't lay bricks – but without one, the house won't get built.
That is the role we take in your e-commerce project.
We analyze, plan, coordinate and manage. Specialized partners implement. You get the right service provider for each area without handling the coordination yourself.
Our Consulting Services
Each service can be booked individually. The phases build on each other; clients who engage us from analysis to go-live avoid friction at the handover between phases.
E-Commerce Check
Analysis of your current situation with concrete recommendations
- As-is analysis of your systems and processes
- Identification of quick wins
- Prioritized roadmap
- Technology recommendations
Architecture Blueprint
Your roadmap for e-commerce digitalization
- Target architecture design
- System selection and evaluation
- Integration concept
- Detailed roadmap
- RFP templates for tenders
Vendor Selection
Finding the right partners for your project
- Create requirements catalog
- Vendor screening and longlist
- Obtain and evaluate proposals
- Negotiation management
- Contract design
Project Management
Keep your project on track – through to go-live
- PMO setup and ongoing management
- Quality assurance and reviews
- Risk management
- Escalation for issues
- Go-live support and hypercare
How a Project Works
Analysis & Conception
Workshop at your location. As-is assessment of all systems, process analysis, design of the target architecture. Duration depends on the number of your systems and sites.
Tender
Create RFP, screen vendors, evaluate proposals, lead negotiations. Skipped if the implementation partner is already set.
Implementation
Regular steering meetings, architecture reviews, quality assurance, escalation for issues. Duration follows the scope of the implementation project.
Go-Live & Hypercare
Cutover management, acceptance tests, knowledge transfer, stabilization until regular operations.
Why Work With Us?
Independent Recommendations
We evaluate systems and service providers against your requirements catalogue. We disclose our partnerships, such as with Shopware, up front.
Implementation Expertise
We build shops and integrations ourselves. That is how we know what is technically feasible and where proposals have gaps.
Practical Experience
We run our own e-commerce shops. SEO, conversion, fulfillment, customer service – from firsthand experience.
Network
For design, hosting, fulfillment, marketing and specialist topics, we know partners and bring them in when needed.
Speaking Both Languages
We translate between business and IT, between management and developers, between you and external service providers.
As-Is Analysis First
We analyze what you need and where optimization is required. Your existing systems are included, not replaced.
Who Is This For?
Ideal for You If...
- Your company is mid-sized, with several departments involved in e-commerce
- An ERP system is in place that needs to be connected to the shop
- E-commerce is important, but not your core business
- You don't have your own e-commerce department
- You have a project with several systems and service providers ahead
Probably Not a Fit If...
- You only need a simple shop for a few products
- You are looking for a standard solution without customization
- You have to go live tomorrow (time pressure)
- No third-party systems need to be connected
Frequently Asked Questions About E-Commerce Consulting
What is the difference between e-commerce consulting and managed e-commerce?
Consulting is project-based: we analyze, design, select service providers and manage the project through to go-live. Managed e-commerce is ongoing; there we run your online sales operationally. Both can be combined, for example consulting for a relaunch followed by managed e-commerce for operations.
Do you implement the projects yourselves?
In the consulting role we manage and do not implement. This keeps the recommendation independent of the implementation volume. If you want Shopware development from a single source, that is a separate offering with clearly separated roles.
What determines the duration and effort of a consulting project?
The number of systems and sites involved, the decision paths in your company, and whether a tender is required or the implementation partner is already set. After the E-Commerce Check we can estimate the scope of the following phases.
How independent are you from software vendors and agencies?
We are a Shopware Bronze Partner and work with other partners. We disclose this. In vendor selection we evaluate providers against your requirements catalog, and you see which providers we are partners of.
Can I book a single service, for example only vendor selection?
Yes, each of the four services can be booked individually. Vendor selection does require a requirements catalog; if none exists, we develop it together as the first step.
How do you work with our IT and existing service providers?
We involve your IT from the as-is assessment onwards and take over coordination with existing service providers. The goal is that everyone involved knows the same plan and responsibilities are defined.
Let's Talk
Schedule a no-obligation initial consultation. We listen, ask questions and tell you whether and how we can help.