Znode, the ecommerce platform under the umbrella of Amla Commerce Inc., based in Milwaukee, has just launched a groundbreaking software module designed to provide manufacturers and their channel partners with enhanced control over their sales operations.
This innovative module, dubbed “B Store,” represents a major leap forward in headless commerce offerings. It’s tailored for primary suppliers, such as manufacturers and master distributors, enabling them to extend their ecommerce capabilities to distributors and other channel partners, ultimately serving the end customers.
Tom Flierl, Amla’s Chief Commercial Officer, notes, “B Store stands as the crucial ‘B’ in B2B2B, B2B2C, and B2B2X business models.” He highlights how B Store empowers manufacturers to maintain control over critical aspects like product data accuracy and brand images.
Znode’s headless eCommerce platform
Znode’s headless ecommerce platform is renowned for its ability to support multiple customer-facing interfaces and seamless integration via APIs. With the introduction of B Store, Znode takes this a step further by offering a ready-made ecommerce storefront module that users can customise atop Znode’s ecommerce software. Furthermore, B Store provides primary suppliers the means to retain control over their product data and gain access to crucial customer demand insights.
Frank Connelly, Product Manager at Znode, emphasises that manufacturers and product suppliers can establish product pricing and discounting ranges tailored to each channel partner’s B Store.
Praise from industry experts
Carlos Manalo, Co-CEO of the Chicago-based digital agency Office of Experience, lauds the B Store module for offering “out-of-the-box” ecommerce software within a flexible headless environment. This is especially valuable for companies seeking to empower their channel partners in selling through ecommerce platforms.
He notes, “This functionality allows you to go faster out of the box and gives you the ability to scale without getting painted into a corner.” Use cases for B Store encompass manufacturers selling through dealers, particularly in categories like uniforms and promotional products.
Key features of B store
B Store boasts an array of features designed to enhance the ecommerce experience for channel partners:
- The ability for a manufacturer’s channel partner to establish their own self-service ecommerce site.
- Curating product catalogs and customizing price lists.
- Creation of pop-up ecommerce shops for special limited-run or recurring sales events.
- Control over product and category availability information.
- What’s Next for Znode
In the coming fall, Znode has plans to introduce the Znode Commerce Portal. This portal will offer an online interface for channel partners, sales representatives, and customers, ensuring a seamless and cohesive experience for all stakeholders.
Znode operates under a single-tenant, software-as-a-service model, with fees structured based on sales volume and other criteria.
The introduction of B Store marks a significant step in empowering B2B2X ecommerce, promising enhanced control, flexibility, and growth potential for manufacturers and their channel partners in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.
