In his new role, Pokopac will oversee various e-commerce integration projects utilizing IBM WebSphere Commerce technology. He will also spearhead initiatives to further improve Briteskies’ project management processes.

“Matt’s depth of experience and proven excellence in our industry makes him a welcome and important addition to our executive team,” noted managing partner Bill Onion. “Throughout his career, he has demonstrated the ability to drive strategic IT vision from conception to implementation. We look forward to his contributions to our work with customers as well as to our own organization.”

Prior to joining Briteskies, Pokopac was the global SAP sourcing IT manager at Momentive Performance Materials, where he drove process enhancements, maintained system stability and reduced operating costs throughout the organization. He has also held a variety of management roles for other companies, including Whitman-Hart and Brulant, Inc.

Pokopac added: “Briteskies is uniquely positioned in the marketplace based on a strong track record of successfully integrating e-commerce solutions and enterprise software. I joined the company because I feel this unique positioning, combined with a terrific company culture, will be a platform for continued success for years to come.”

Pokopac earned a Master of Business Administration degree from John Carroll University and a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration with an emphasis on procurement/materials management and production/operations management from Bowling Green State University. He is also a Certified Purchasing Manager through the Institute of Supply Management.

#JDE2012Summit

Bill and I attended the JD Edwards 2012 Partners’ Summit (#JDE2012Summit) a few weeks ago. After two full days of drinking from a fire hose, two things became very clear:

• JD Edwards has a comprehensive mobile strategy for EnterpriseOne that runs real time without difficult to manage data replication.   

The EnterpriseOne browser interface in the Tools 9.1 release had been improved, making it easier to use on the iPad. Business processes are defined and programs can be accessed using a process flow diagram rather than the old, sometimes kludgy menu structure. Gone is the menu panel on the left side of the screen.  Icons have also been added to the bottom of the screen providing quick access to reports and other frequently used functionality. You can see a full demonstration of the new interface here.

More exciting are the smartphone apps for purchase order processing and expense report management. Unlike the iPad which runs the interface in Safari, these apps are optimized for smaller mobile devices.  Soon, users will be able to take a picture of a receipt and attach it to an expense report, submitting the completed reimbursement request all from a mobile device.

• Strategically, businesses should evaluate ERP packages on total cost of ownership, taking into account the savings generated from more efficient business processes. 

This is an important strategic shift in the evaluation and selection of ERP packages because traditionally the selection process has focused on features and functionality that best fit the business. However, with most top tier ERP vendors now providing similar if not equal functionality, the package that provides the greatest value through cost savings has the advantage. Oracle understands this, which is why it offers an integrated vertical spanning across hardware and applications. IBM understands it too, and offers the IBM Power 7 JD Edwards Solution Edition to meet the need.

Oracle continues to invest heavily in JDE. In future blogs we’ll keep you posted on these and other new developments, including significant enhancements in World A9.3. You can also keep up to date by following our Twitter feed @briteskies_jde.

As a Senior Developer, I spend an incredible amount of time designing, testing and profiling applications for Briteskies’ customers, more specifically working on iSeries and JD Edwards integration projects. With all the tools that are available to assist the developer in his perpetual quest for knowledge, I’ve found that the Rational Developer, IBM’s WebSphere Development Studio client tool which is referred to as WDSc or RAD as of late, provides great advantages with a wealth of information at your fingertips. As with any new technology, there will undoubtedly be challenges to learning and understanding its functionality, but I believe that the benefits of WDSc will far outweigh any time spent acquainting one’s self with it. First, set up an environment and open source code; once that’s been established, use the SEU line codes to copy, move, insert or replicate lines. Then you can save the source and go to your iSeries session to compile the program. As you become more comfortable with the process, you can start adding features to assist with development. Everyone’s familiar (or should be) with Windows’ cut, copy and paste functions, so there is a new capability you can use immediately. The source display is color coded which makes it easy to distinguish between active code lines and comments. This is an immediate benefit of the tool. There is also the undo/redo feature which allows you to remove and reapply changes back several levels. There are times when this feature alone convinced me of the value of WDSc.

Another great feature is the ability to open multiple source members at the same time in tabs with the ability to copy and paste between those members. When using code from other programs, this tool makes it so much easier to move from one source to another. This also gives you the option to edit the source for a screen, an RPG program and perhaps a CL program that controls the execution of the RPG program simultaneously. If there are coding routines that you regularly use, you can store them in what are referred to as “snippets”. When you want to use these routines in a new program, you can simply place the cursor where you’d like it to appear and double click the snippet to automatically insert them. This saves you the hassle not only of opening another source file, but of having to remember from which source you wanted to borrow code.

Another option I like is that you can display up to two and a half times the number of lines of code versus what you can on a green screen. You are also given the ability to use the mouse wheel or scroll bars to position the code exactly where you need it; this makes it a lot faster than using line commands, but of course line commands are still available in WDSc.

Using WDSc, you can also employ instant syntax checking as you enter lines of code, this features an embedded message which appears if something is incorrect. You can also easily record and play back keystrokes, saving you the time of having to tie them to a previously saved macro. A scan and replace operation can be initiated quickly through using Windows’ ctrl+f function, with instant positioning as you type the characters to be scanned. The last several scans you use are saved and can easily be executed again, even between multiple source members.

Often, I’ve found myself reviewing a program and have needed to know the contents of a copy book, so historically I’ve either needed to go to a split screen or a second session to open the source. With WDSc, I can now simply right-click on the code I’m reviewing and immediately open the copy book as another tab within the editor; I’m also given the option to change the copy book, if necessary.

As we all know, source programs can be incredibly large and require a lot of paging or scrolling through, from the main routine and throughout all the subroutines. With WDSc, you have the option to collapse all the sub routines so that they appear as a single entry within the source; you can then open only the ones you need to review. This is so much faster than moving between different sections of code, especially when the subroutines are very large or numerous.

There is an item called an Outline window; this lists the files defined, the data structures, field definitions, constants, indicators used, prototypes, main routines, subroutines and sub-procedures. Most of these can be expanded to see the line number which references the location. I can’t tell you the number of times that I wanted to add an indicator to a program and needed to know if it had already been used; using this list of indicators provides information without searching and the security of knowing that I haven’t missed anything.

A really useful advanced feature is the ability to submit a compile directly from the editor. This feature requires that you control the library list of the connection you are using so that your compile executes in the correct environment. This is done by expanding the library list under your connection definition for the iSeries, or as I did it, create a program that is automatically executed when I open the connection for the first time and set the library list for the environment I need. When the compile has completed the errors are automatically returned in a window within WDSc, sorted by severity. If you double-click an error message, you will be taken to the line of code which requires correction and all of the messages are then embedded within your source display. You also have the option to turn off “00 level” messages so they don’t appear. Also within the advanced tools is a debugging capability which allows you to graphically set and remove breakpoints. Once you have activated debug, go to your iSeries session and trigger the program; the debug process will activate and allow you to control stepping through the program. When you stop at a breakpoint, you can hover over a variable with the mouse pointer which will display the contents. You can establish a window with a watch variable so you can track changes as the program executes. If you are stepping through the code and happen upon a subroutine or a call to another program, you have the option to step into or over those lines; stepping over them will allow you to continue with the line after EXSR or CALL. These are only two features of debug; I’m sure there are several others which are equally beneficial.

The last feature I’d like to mention is the ability to open a source member and not close it when you shut down WDSc. You can then take your PC with you and edit and save the source, offline, without a connection to the iSeries. Once you return to the workplace and have reestablished a connection, you’ll see your edits. There is also an export capability which allows you to store an offline copy of the source. I have used this to save frozen copies of programs, in case I need to revert back to or restore one.

Learning new capabilities can seem intimidating; however, I can assure you that the time you invest in acquainting yourself with WDSc will only benefit you and your business. I hope you have been encouraged you to give WDSc a try.

“Because Magento is an open source platform, just about anything can be done to manipulate data.  Magento’s usability, in conjunction with the Briteskies’ innovation, meant our organizations didn’t have to spend hours entering product information, saving us an incredible amount of time, money and effort.  As for social marketing, we’re so much more actively engaged with our customers, and we’ve only just scratched the surface of Magento’s capabilities.  I would highly recommend Magento and Solutions Partner Briteskies to any organization with an eCommerce agenda.”

Joe Simonovich, Shoffee Site Manager

Customer: Shoffee, Inc.

Website: www.shoffee.com

Platform: Magento Enterprise v1.10.1.1

Industry: Single serve coffee products, systems and accessories

Site Type: B2C

Business Challenge: Content management & marketing

About Shoffee

Shoffee is a B2C online retailer where consumers can SH[op for c]OFFEE, tea, hot cocoa, soda, brewing systems and beverage accessories.  Shoffee specializes in the single-serving product market, and staff members take pride in shoffee.com, a truly customer designed shopping experience.  Shoffee is based in New Jersey and sells across the United States.

Shoffee’s Challenge

What hindered Shoffee’s potential was the inability to analyze site data, and with an incredibly inflexible content management system, site managers couldn’t easily update information for promotions or marketing campaigns.  In effect, each time Shoffee wanted to promote an item, or have it appear in multiple categories simultaneously, a developer had to be engaged, a proposal had to be signed and Shoffee had no choice but to wait as content changes were made.  In having to rely on developers for each update, Shoffee was bound by its own system’s limitations.  Additionally,  managing directors had no insight as to shopping cart abandonment, nor the technology to up sell, cross sell or suggest products for returning customers.

The Shoffee.com website was originally an HTML site which surfaced products through a custom built eCommerce platform.  Although the site was designed per the specifications and suggestions of Shoffee’s consumers, it simply didn’t provide the functionalities of an open-source platform, specifically catalog management.  The Shoffee team required a system which would allow for dynamic content spots, promotional, targeted marketing campaigns and analytical tools.

Moving Forward with Magento Enterprise and Briteskies

Shoffee was provided with a demonstration by a Magento representative; business users were shown its ease of use and flexibility, especially surrounding desired functionality.  Shoffee decided that based on the project’s requirements, Magento’s open source platform offered the best solutions.

There are many qualified, reasonably priced Magento Solution Partners from which to choose.  Shoffee elected to pursue its eCommerce initiatives with Briteskies after receiving a concise proposal which spoke very specifically to each of Shoffee’s goals.  Briteskies provides its customers not simply with strategy and technology, but with relationships from which they can draw upon at any stage, from project deployment, to completion and post-project consulting.

Shoffee’s Success with Magento

Unique to this project was Shoffee’s workflow process.  Because Shoffee functions as part of another corporate entity, an organization from which it purchases its daily orders, customized backend integration was required.  With nearly 600 product SKUs, Briteskies generated a single, completely automated purchase order through Magento.  Once Shoffee’s purchase order was received, the entire product catalog and all of its subsequent information was stored.  Ordinarily, a data load of this size would not only be a daunting task, but it could have potentially bogged down system servers.  With this in mind, the Briteskies team developed a plan to have the purchase order fulfilled after normal business hours; while Shoffee’s customers slept soundly, Magento was acquiring information that would make the next morning’s online shopping experiences that much easier.

Installing and configuring Magento provided Shoffee with business success that would have otherwise remained unrealized.  Shoffee’s previous platform didn’t allow for dynamic content spots, faceted navigation, product comparisons or reward program functionality.  As a growing organization, Shoffee expressed a desire to direct its focus towards digital marketing campaigns; with Magento features such as dynamic content spots, Shoffee can now target particular consumers quickly and efficiently.  The information used to create these content spots is acquired from data which is aggregated in Magento, and is displayed utilizing extensive, built-in reporting tools.

Hosting considerations were also made in Shoffee’s platform migration to Magento; as consultants, Briteskies suggested that Shoffee.com be hosted, offsite, on MageMojo.  MageMojo offers servers which are specifically designed to host Magento solutions.  Establishing creative guidelines, architecting the site and development, from kick off to site deployment, took only about two and a half months.

“Working with Shoffee provided our team not only challenges that led to experience from which we can now draw upon, but also the opportunity to work with an incredible organization on another successful Magento eCommerce implementation.”

J. Michael Moores, Web Delivery Director at Briteskies

About Briteskies

Briteskies, an enterprise eCommerce and integration solutions company, is a tight-knit family of developers, designers, directors and programmers.  Utilizing Magento, we assist our customers in bringing their brands, products and services to the online marketplace.  Our project methodology gleans from our years of consulting experience; as a result, we design technical elements to achieve our customers’ business goals.  From defining an organization’s objectives to integrating a Magento store with an ERP and post-deployment support, Briteskies provides customers with tailored applications for tomorrow’s global marketplace.

We’re Trusted by Our Customers; we strive to convey that fact through every action.

“When I took office, only high energy physicists had ever heard of what is called the Worldwide Web…. Now even my cat has its own page.”

Bill Clinton
Announcement of Next Generation Internet Initiative, 1996

Every individual, every group and association, every company, man, woman, child and chimp has its own page, eCommerce or otherwise – but not every B2B organization does.  Understandably so, as defining, designing, developing and deploying an eCommerce site of this nature can be daunting.  Equally intimidating is the fact that, if done incorrectly, a poor B2B site can have an incredibly negative effect on the bottom line.  There will undoubtedly be challenges that are specific to an organization, but I’ve found that there are some which are more common than others.  Some of these include: creating and supporting an eCommerce focus within your organization, creating relevant content and image assets, establishing where certain pieces of data will reside, as well as calculating a sales commission for an existing sales team.  Determining how these issues are addressed will seal the fate of the site’s success, and we’re all left to ponder how the cat has over 1,000 “likes” on Facebook, without even trying…

Creating Support within Your Organization

eCommerce: it’s not your dad’s sales cycle!  Leads, prospects, suspects, cold calls, cold calls?  While these have served their industries well (and, in certain instances, continue to serve their purposes) you simply can’t apply these principles to the realm of online selling.  However, much like a traditional sales cycle, what you will require is someone who is solely charged with the responsibility of managing the eCommerce channel.  This person will serve as the site’s champion, who will create, nourish and develop the B2B efforts within the organization.  The B2B eCommerce director should know conventional sales concepts, but also know how to harness the power of the internet and social marketing strategies.

Content and Image Assets

eCommerce sites, both B2B and B2C, require incredible amounts of data.  Purchasing departments and consumers have demanded short descriptions and extended descriptions of products, dimensions, comparable product suggestions and product reviews –and that’s only written content.  These individuals have also requested to know exactly what the item looks like, in and out of its packaging, “zoomed” views, angled views and in-use views.  All of these must be quality, high-resolution images.  Planning on uploading a photo that looks like it was taken with a Polaroid in your stock room?  You’re better off without it.  By providing well written content and professional image assets, you’re assuring your consumers that your organization is legitimate, that you provide superior products and that they’ll receive what they order, on time.  In that regard, these expectations can be particularly challenging for a B2B company, especially one that is just getting to the online marketplace.  Oftentimes, data is scattered across multiple systems –printed and filed in cabinets, saved to a shared drive and saved again on several desktops, within a master excel file which has three versions and a few pieces in the ERP.  If you’re a B2B organization and eCommerce is on your project list, prevent an immediate project blow-up by collecting and organizing all of your data, first.

Dual Entry or Integration?

Typically in a B2B company, there is some instance of an ERP (JD Edwards, SAP, Sage or Epicor to name a few) which runs the business; a B2B eCommerce site is meant to compliment this backend system, not replace it.  Therefore, it’s absolutely necessary that both the eCommerce site and the ERP share certain data points.  These will be items such as inventory, customer data, shipping information and customer history.  How that data should be shared, though, will be completely reliant upon a few items.  First, should the systems be entirely integrated?  Or, should information be manually maintained in each location?  Each of these options has their respective advantages, but you’ll only find the answers when you clearly define your project goals, scope, timeline and (of course) budget.

Sales Commission

A B2B organization that deploys an eCommerce site must not forget its sales personnel.  These men and women who’ve marched in the frontlines of the business, who’ve been shot down and trod upon, deserve a bit of recognition for establishing accounts that will likely be purchasing online.  Unfortunately, there is no singular answer to how this should be dealt with, but you might consider organizing buyers into territories, categories or tiers.  In this way, a representative assigned to a certain region or account size can leverage his or her skills to drive traffic to the eCommerce site.  Consider the structure of your sales team and how members are currently handling accounts, and how they are paid commissions, during your project planning phase.  This will ensure that your vision for your B2B eCommerce site aligns not only with the beliefs of the team, but with your plan for the professional development of your employees in this new age of selling.

By establishing your B2B organization’s online presence through eCommerce initiatives, you’ll create new channels which will increase your sales, and you’ll extend your reach to your customers by providing them with convenience.  You’ll also reduce the cost of capturing information and processing orders.  However, preparation and planning will be paramount to the success of your project, so keep the aforementioned items in mind and you’ll be on the right track!

“…I’ve never tried anything new; if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it…”