Business enterprises can pursue different options to develop an e-commerce platform: on-premise hosting, open-source platform, proprietary platform build, or Software as a Service (SaaS). The first three options give the technology departments within business entities substantial control over the affairs of companies. Furthermore, open-source e-commerce platforms, where all aspects of the code can be modified, are cumbersome, and expensive to maintain. They require technical knowledge to operate, which evolves at a rapid pace. As opposed to SaaS, with open-source e-commerce platforms, users are responsible for Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliance and for security issues. In addition, with Software as a Service (SaaS), firms are likely to incur a substantially lower annual cost of ownership versus other alternatives.
Businesses should focus on key operating activities to meet business objectives, which include developing customer experiences, marketing policies, operational processes, and team building. An e-commerce platform should free resources and streamline business activity to allow for the development of operating efficiencies and strategic initiatives. It must also be scalable to accompany business long-term growth.
With self-hosting e-commerce platforms, businesses need to deal with installations and software updates, which can prove costly. While providing better visibility for own data and understanding of data security, it can prove extremely complex and time-consuming dealing with non-business generating issues. Cloud hosting with Google or Amazon offers solutions with significantly fewer downtimes. Holderchem has developed an e-commerce platform, Hedge, which is cloud-hosted, offers chemicals and construction materials suppliers powerful features needed to run a business and the ability to integrate with common business tools. While allowing entities to centralize operations, it provides them with sufficient flexibility to run their businesses their way.
Brands using Hedge will have their own customizable domain name. They will benefit from significant uptime of a mobile-optimized site, application programming interfaces (APIs), and from the bandwidth that can be enhanced as business activity increases. They will take advantage of the marketplace platform Search Engine Optimization (Seo) and extensive build-in features, which specifically address concerns of businesses involved in the supply of chemicals and construction materials. Features include promotions and discounts, analytics, catalog management, affiliate program, Payment Card Interfaces (PCI), etc.
Hedge will typically meet the requirements of chemicals and construction material suppliers. The platform, which is very easy to use, will fulfill suppliers’ needs to promote, market, and sell a product catalog. It provides flexibility for the management of product catalogs and customer data, allowing for the addition of multiple images in any item, import-export of customer data, products, technical datasheets, and Material Safety Datasheets (MSDS). Users may push products from Hedge over to Amazon and vice versa to conduct multi-channel selling.
Statement of Responsibility: The information and application advice contained in this document are based on the present state of scientific and practical knowledge of Holderchem SAL. It is provided with no warranty, implied or otherwise, as to its completeness or accuracy. Since methods and conditions of application and use are beyond the control of Holderchem, HOLDERCHEM MAKES NO WARRANTIES, IMPLIED OR OTHERWISE, AS TO THE MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ORDINARY OR PARTICULAR PURPOSES OF ITS PRODUCTS AND EXCLUDES THE SAME. Holderchem warrants that its products shall be of sound materials and workmanship. As products are applied, handled and stored in manners and site conditions over which Holderchem has no control, Holderchem's liability in respect of any material which can be proven defective shall be limited to the replacement of such defective material or reimbursement of its cost at Holderchem's option. Holderchem shall not be liable for any consequential or incidental damage or loss arising out of the use of its products. Important Note: Holderchem shall have the right to modify product specification sheets at any time without previous notice. Buyers should always refer to the most recent data sheets, copies of which can be supplied upon request. The sale of products mentioned in this literature shall be subject to Holderchem's General Conditions of Sale Delivery and Payment.
Mr. Salim Asseily has over 30 years of experience in the construction materials sector. He is a Founder and Managing Director of Holderchem SAL and Vice-President of Cimenterie Nationale SAL. He graduated from Columbia University in the city of New York with a BS in chemical engineering, MS in industrial engineering and operations research, and an MBA.