frequently asked questions about znode
B2B ecommerce is complex and often results in questions. Get the answers to questions about Znode.
Question: What is a headless platform?
Answer: Traditional ecommerce involves a front-end and back-end with limited flexibility, design constraints, and pre-defined experiences. A headless commerce platform offers a front-end and back-end layer decoupled from the core commerce engine, enabling unmatched customization and flexibility.
Znode is built upon headless architecture. An API surrounds the main engine and core ecommerce libraries, providing a robust and easy-to-consume layer. Znode integrates into existing websites, mobile applications, back-office systems, ERPs, CRMs – anything.
Question: Does Znode support multiple storefronts?
Answer: Znode powers multi-store ecommerce with easy management of multiple storefronts, programs, and brands from one administration console. The core of Znode is a robust product information management (PIM) system decoupling catalogs, categories, and products from stores. This flexible data structure allows a catalog to be applied at one store or shared across many stores. Stores can have multiple catalogs, making store and catalog management significantly easier.
Question: How is data transferred in and out of ERPs or other third-party systems?
Answer: Znode’s native commerce connector provides a framework to integrate with ERPs and other business systems, managing data exchange between systems. Merchants can also utilize the commerce connector to extend native platform functionality, aligning specific business model requirements in promotions, taxes, shipping, and more.
Question: Can Znode support multiple users, accounts, and profiles?
Answer: Znode enables merchants to provide users the ability to search for products, place orders, and manage an account on behalf of the customer business. Users can be grouped into accounts and are structured in a child and parent relationship in Znode. Administrators can segment users using accounts and user profiles to serve specific pricing, product catalogs, shipping options, payment methods, content pages, and more.
Question: How long is a typical Znode implementation?
Answer: Depending on the complexity of the use case, Znode solution partners typically complete implementations within 4-8 months.
Question: What types of business models does Znode support?
Answer: Znode supports many business models, including:
- Business-to-business (B2B)
- Direct-to-consumer (D2C)
- Business-to-consumer (B2C)
- Business-to-business-to-consumer (B2B2C)
- Business-to-business-to-business (B2B2B)
Beyond these business models, Znode supports various business use cases of ecommerce, including multi-store ecommerce, headless commerce, commerce-as-a-service, commerce-enabled sales portals, and more.
Question: Is it easy to manage multiple catalogs in Znode?
Answer: Znode enables merchants to deliver the right assortment of products to the right audience through catalog management on the native PIM system. Unlimited catalogs can be created and displayed based upon account, segment, and web store.
Question: What development options does Znode provide for storefronts?
Answer: Znode provides a native ADA-compliant software development kit theme. As an API-first architecture platform, developers can utilize limitless front-end options to create customer experiences. Any front-end stack is fair game with Znode through API connectivity.