Eye on OMS Systems
2010 Order Management Software Roundup
The hot topic in systems is the July 1 deadline for meeting the requirements of the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI-SSC) and its Payment Application Data Security Standard (PA-DSS). But there is still much confusion with this issue.
According to the Data Security Standard, software vendors should have their systems reviewed by an officially certified qualified security assessor (QSA) to assure that the system meets all the required standards. If approved, the vendor may apply — and pay — for posting on the official PCI-DSS systems list.
If a system is hosted outside the merchant's facilities, it does not need to be PA-DSS-compliant, just PCI-compliant (which involves a similar but separate sort of testing, also by a QSA).
The ultimate goal is having direct merchants meet their PCI-compliance requirements. In theory, if the payment processing system the merchant is using is not officially listed, the merchant can't be compliant. But in practice, it might pass — so long as the system meets all PCI specifications. In the case of a security breach, though, if there is a nonlisted system involved, the merchant is likely to face heavy fines and, potentially, the loss of its merchant account, i.e., the privilege of accepting credit card payments. (For more on PA-DSS, see “Security standards updates” in the May issue.)
Remember that PCI and PA-DSS standards are a minimum threshold. Smart vendors and merchants will see this whole business not so much as a burden, but as an opportunity to secure their data from thieves both outside and inside the company. That is a worthy goal, with the security standards providing a roadmap to its achievement.
On another note, a caveat regarding systems: Always check two things before signing a vendor's contract: 1) get positive proof that a “flexible report writer” will really let users produce the reports they need, and 2) be sure that there is adequate documentation for the system version you will be using. Simple enough, but absolutely essential.
As usual, the functional grades and ranks in the accompanying chart are based on the vendors' own input (with rigid ground rules). This enables you to see where the system providers believe their strengths lie.
BY ERNIE SCHELL (ernie@schell.com) is director of consultancy Marketing Systems Analysis, in Ventnor, NJ.
OMS DIRECTORY
Abison Comprehensive Commerce Suite
Introduced: 2006 Version: 02/05/07 Company: Abison Contact: Scott A. Karlo, 888-877-3963, info@abison.com Operating system: Windows Database: SQL/MySQL Open database connectivity: any ODBC database E-commerce database: MySQL E-commerce platforms integrated with: MarketLive Third-party manifesting systems: UPS Worldship Auto XML, Shiptec, HarveySoft, Endicia/Dazzle, and any ODBC-compliant manifesting system Credit card processors supported: Paymentech, TransFirst, Authorize.net Sales-tax systems supported: any Accounting packages Integrated with: Eagle by Activant Other modules: purchasing, personalization, BOM, content management Updates: media types can be linked to inventory items, support for customer product reviews on CCS Web, auto-submissions to third-party shopping search sites, site sear with auto-suggest, integrated templates for virtual catalogs, line-item level order verification, and a manager's dashboard
ASSISTCommerce Suite
Introduced: 1990 Version: 9.2 Company: Assist Cornerstone Contact: Brenda Hansen, 801-617-1102, bhansen@assistcornerstone.com Operating system: IBM OS/i5 Database: DB2 Open database connectivity: any ODBC database E-commerce database: PostGreSQL, MySQL, Oracle E-commerce platforms integrated with: Websphere Third-party manifesting systems: Varsity (all carriers) Credit-card processors supported: Chase Paymentech, Datawire (First Data), Verisign, USA e-Pay Sales-tax systems supported: Vertex Other modules: G/L, A/P, A/R, encryption (for PA-DSS compliance)
ActiveSeries
Introduced: 1996 Version: 4 Company: MNP Media Contact: Pierre D'Arbost, 302-798-0700, info@mnp-media.com Operating system: Microsoft Database:SLQ/Server Open database connectivity: any ODBC database E-commerce database: Commerce Server and a .net open source platform (WebActive) E-commerce platforms integrated with: Hybris, Magento, Commerce Server, Shop Creator plus 20 other types Third-party manifesting systems: Metapak, Endicia Credit-card processors supported: Commidea, Paymentech (U.S.), Secpay, Shift 4 for tokenization via Paymentech Sales-tax systems supported: Avalara Accounting packages Integrated with: Sage, Pegasus, Platinum Other modules: PSM Active (global purchase supply management), WMS Active (dedicated direct WMS system), Data Analyser (data mining tool), WebActive (e-commerce platform). MNP has nearly 90 users in the U.K.; first U.S. site to go live in the third quarter
Avexxis
Introduced: 1995 Version: 7.6 Company: Avexxis Corp. Contact: John Fink, 860-676-9006 x810, john.fink@avexxis.com Operating system: Windows, Unix, Linux Database: UniVerse Open database connectivity: SLQ/Server E-commerce database: ae2 (American Eagle) E-commerce platforms integrated with: Yahoo, aspdotnetstorefront, Able-commerce Third-party manifesting systems: ClipperShip, Aristo, UPS, FedEx, USPS Credit-card processors supported: Paymentech, Global, Elavon, First Data Sales-tax systems supported: Taxware Accounting packages Integrated with: Great Plains, Macola, Solomon Other modules: accounting Updates: total Web store integration, interactive reporting technology allowing data drill-down within all reports, and enhanced CRM functionality leveraging a singular view of multichannel customer activity and communication
Celerant Command Retail
Introduced: 1999 Version: 6.1.3 Company: Celerant Technology Group Contact: Michele Salerno, 718-605-7733 x141, msalerno@celerant.com Operating system: Any Database: SQL, Interbase Open database connectivity: any ODBC database E-commerce database: ColdFusion E-commerce platforms integrated with: NA Third-party manifesting systems: NA Credit card processors supported: Paymentech, PC Charge, most others Sales-tax systems supported: Avalara Accounting packages integrated with: QuickBooks, MAS 90/200, Great Plains Updates: Google and PayPal integration, abandoned-shopping-cart tracking, and a full customer management module
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