The Microsoft Commerce Server 2009 code name “R2” January Community Technology Preview (CTP) is now available on the
Download Center.
We invite you to install this pre-release of the next version of Commerce Server 2009 “R2” into a non-production environment to learn how Commerce Server 2009 “R2” provides an improved business management experience, enhanced cross-channel enablement with multi-tier development and deployment support, and a more streamlined deployment experience.
The Commerce Server 2009 code name “R2” readme file and the Installation and Configuration Guide, can also be found on the
Download Center.
Note: Given the pre-release nature of this release, not all functionality is currently available. The release is for evaluation purposes only and is not intended to be used in a production environment. The January CTP will stop functioning on December 31, 2010.
Microsoft Dallas is holding a 3-day Microsoft Commerce Server 2009 Bootcamp course for customers, Microsoft employees, and Microsoft partners from February 23-25, 2010 in Dallas, Texas. Endorsed by the Microsoft Commerce Server Product Unit, Cactus Commerce will teach students the fundamentals of working with Commerce Server 2009 in a balanced format of onsite classroom presentation, discussions and hands-on labs. Upon completion of the course, students will have the knowledge to develop e-commerce solutions using the Commerce Server 2009 platform. For more information on this session and future training courses, visit the Cactus website.
Microsoft Sweden is also holding a 3-day Commerce Server 2009 training course endorsed by the Microsoft Commerce Server Product Unit February 9-11, 2010 in Stockholm, Sweden. This course is also open to Microsoft partners, customers and Microsoft employees. To register, please click here.
With more than 6,000 stores worldwide plus two popular Web sites, GameStop.com and EBGames.com, GameStop is already one of the world’s largest video game and entertainment software retailers—but the company’s goal is to become an essential part of the gamer community.
“Our core vision is to be the research, shopping, and social destination for gamers, with enhanced cross-channel integration that will allow us to maximize our sales in all channels,” says Curt Burgess, Director of Online Operations at GameStop.
Turning that ambitious vision into a reality requires a stable yet flexible e-commerce platform, one that can facilitate tighter links between brick-and-mortar stores and the online channel. The company’s existing e-commerce system, based on Microsoft Commerce Server 2000, was unable to support many of the cross-channel functions that the retailer sought to implement. “The system had been successful in running our sites for several years, but it had reached capacity and was nearing the end of its life cycle, so it was very challenging to do any type of new development on it,” says Burgess.
By upgrading to Microsoft Commerce Server 2007, the GameStop gained the ability to offer in-store pickup of products ordered online, expanded product look-up capabilities, and enhanced customer-generated content.
Since the upgrade, the number of unique visitors to GameStop sites is up by 14 percent and the average amount of time that visitors spend there is up by 10 percent. The robust, flexible solution also provides GameStop with a solid foundation for future growth.
Read the complete case study today, visit - http://www.microsoft.com/casestudies/Case_Study_Detail.aspx?casestudyid=4000006245
We are pleased to announce Lewis Benge has been awarded MVP status. The MVP Award is given in recognition of a recipient's technical expertise, spirit of community, and their willingness to help their peers by providing reliable and accurate information about Microsoft products and technologies.
Lewis has been an active contributor to the Commerce Server community with an online and offline presence. In addition to presenting at events throughout Australia such as SharePoint Saturday, Lewis can be found on Twitter, Commerce Server 2009 Forum, CSDevWiki.com, and his personal blog. Lewis also assists individuals and companies with Commerce Server architectural advice and guidance, to supplement the sample sites and framework contributions he has developed on CodePlex.
Congratulations Lewis.
The Commerce Server Product Unit
The Commerce Server 2009 Evaluation VPC (December 2009 update) is now available for download to partners and customers. This VPC has Commerce Server 2009 and Microsoft Office SharePoint® Server 2007 fully installed and configured (Core Systems, Multi-Channel Commerce Foundation, SharePoint Commerce Services), including the new Default site with the Template Pack running in SharePoint using the 30 new Web Parts.
No technological or content changes have been made to the December evaluation VPC; the trial license period of the evaluation software has simply been extended. This VPC is intended to be used only for evaluation and demonstration purposes. Approximately every 2-3 months the VPC will be updated and reposted to Microsoft Connect. You will need to fill in the survey to accept the license agreement in order to receive each new release of the VPC. Finally, if you are downloading the VPC from Microsoft Connect, please check your downloads folder for a copy of the VPC in 1 - 2 business days.
Download the latest VPC - complete with a demo script, sales collateral, samples and videos from Microsoft Connect.
The Microsoft Commerce Server 2009 code name “R2” November Community Technology Preview (CTP) is now available on the Download Center.
We invite you to install this pre-release of the next version of Commerce Server 2009 “R2” into a non-production environment to learn how Commerce Server 2009 “R2” provides an improved business management experience, enhanced cross-channel enablement with multi-tier development and deployment support, and a more streamlined deployment experience.
The Commerce Server 2009 code name “R2” readme file and the Installation and Configuration Guide, can also be found on the Download Center.
Note: Given the pre-release nature of this release, not all functionality is currently available. The release is for evaluation purposes only and is not intended to be used in a production environment. The November CTP will not function after June 6, 2010.
The Commerce Server 2009 Evaluation VPC (November 2009 version) is now available for download to partners and customers. This VPC has Commerce Server 2009 and Microsoft Office SharePoint® Server 2007 fully installed and configured (Core Systems, Multi-Channel Commerce Foundation, SharePoint Commerce Services), including the new Default site with the Template Pack running in SharePoint using the 30 new Web Parts.
No technological or content changes have been made to the November evaluation VPC; the trial license period of the evaluation software has simply been extended. This VPC is intended to be used only for evaluation and demonstration purposes. Approximately every 2-3 months the VPC will be updated and reposted to Microsoft Connect. You will need to fill in the survey to accept the license agreement in order to receive each new release of the VPC. Finally, if you are downloading the VPC from Microsoft Connect, please check your downloads folder for a copy of the VPC in 1 - 2 business days.
Download the latest VPC - complete with a demo script, sales collateral, samples and videos from Microsoft Connect.
The Microsoft Commerce Server 2009 code name “R2” October Community Technology Preview (CTP) is now available on the Download Center. This is the fourth pre-release build of the next version of Commerce Server.
We invite you to install this pre-release of the next version of Commerce Server 2009 “R2” into a non-production environment to learn how Commerce Server 2009 “R2” provides an improved business management experience, enhanced cross-channel enablement with multi-tier development and deployment support, and a more streamlined deployment experience.
The October CTP release includes the following:
• Assembly and namespace changes
• Quick Installation Guide
• Name change for the Contemporary Site
• Product version numbering change
The Commerce Server 2009 code name “R2” readme file and the Installation and Configuration Guide, can also be found on the Download Center.
Note: Given the pre-release nature of this release, not all functionality is currently available. The release is for evaluation purposes only and is not intended to be used in a production environment. The October CTP will not function after June 6, 2010.
If you are planning to attend the upcoming TechEd EMEA 2009 in Berlin, November 9-13, 2009 stop by our kiosk in the technical learning center (TLC) and say hello!
We are also holding a session on building custom e-commerce solutions with Commerce Server 2009.
Session: Build Custom E-Commerce Solutions Faster and Easier with Microsoft Commerce Server 2009 (OFS06-IS)
Presenter: Scott Cairney, Commerce Server Product Architect
Date: Tuesday November 10th, 2009
Time: 9:00-10:15 am
Room: Interactive Theatre 6 - Pink
Description: This session is targeted towards developers who want to build customised SharePoint e-commerce solutions faster and easier leveraging the robust functionality in Commerce Server 2009. Register for this session to learn: the new Multi-Channel Commerce Foundation or Common Programming Model; how to create RIAs using Microsoft Silverlight or create Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) applications for use in other non Web-based channels, like kiosks; how to extend or create custom entities using the Multi-Channel Commerce Foundation; and how to use these custom entities to integrate to third party or legacy systems.
For more information on TechEd EMEA, visit - http://www.msteched.com/europe/Public/default.aspx
We are pleased to announce the Commerce Server Most Valuable Professional (MVP) renewal for Ravi Kanth , Technical Architect at Accenture, India.
In addition to his active participation in the Forums, Ravi continues to share his knowledge and experience with Commerce Server in his blog.
Ravi holds a Masters Degree in Computer Applications from Madras University and has completed various certifications including MCSD, .NET, MCPDEA, MCTS (WSS & MOSS), CSQA and PMP. He also has expertise in a broad range of Microsoft products including BizTalk, Silverlight and Microsoft Office SharePoint® Server.
Congratulations Ravi. Thank you for your contributions to the Commerce Server Community!
The Microsoft SharePoint 2010 Conference October 19-22nd in Las Vegas will be the first and the best conference to get in depth training on SharePoint 2010, from upgrade and migration to the business value of new platform features and functionality.
If you are planning to attend the upcoming SharePoint 2010 Conference, check out our breakout session on "Enabling revenue-generating internet business with MOSS-FIS and Commerce Server" Wednesday October 21st at 2:45pm Breakers Ballroom 3.
The Commerce Server 2009 Evaluation VPC (September 2009 version) is now available for download.
This VPC has Commerce Server 2009 and Microsoft Office SharePoint® Server 2007 (MOSS) fully installed and configured (Core Systems, Multi-Channel Commerce Foundation, SharePoint Commerce Services), including the new Default site with the Template Pack running in SharePoint using the 30 new Web Parts.
No technological or content changes have been made to the September evaluation VPC; the trial license period of the evaluation software has simply been extended. This VPC is intended to be used only for evaluation and demonstration purposes. Approximately every 2-3 months the VPC will be updated and reposted to Microsoft Connect. You will need to fill in the survey to accept the license agreement in order to receive each new release of the VPC. Finally, if you are downloading the VPC from Microsoft Connect, please check your downloads folder for a copy of the VPC in 1 - 2 business days.
Download the latest VPC - complete with a demo script, sales collateral, samples and videos from Microsoft Connect.
SharePoint enthusiast and Microsoft Certified Trainer in the Netherlands, Nick Boumans, has written an article on 'E-Commerce Using Microsoft Commerce Server 2009 and SharePoint' for Dutch .NET Magazine #3 (September 2009). The article discusses merits of using Commerce Server 2009 in building a SharePoint based e-commerce solution.
To download a copy of the article, visit Nick's blog: (English article) / (Dutch article).
For those that are interested, Cactus Commerce has added a second Commerce Server 2009 Developer Training course for partners, customers and Microsoft field November 3 – 5th, 2009 in Ottawa-Gatineau Quebec, Canada.
Endorsed by the Microsoft Commerce Server Product Unit, the 3-day Microsoft Commerce Server 2009 Developer Training course is designed with ASP.Net developers in mind. Students will learn the why, what and how of working with Commerce Server 2009 in a balanced format of ‘presentation, discussion and hands-on labs’. On completion of the course, students will have the knowledge to develop e-commerce solutions using the Commerce Server 2009 platform.
For more information or to register for the upcoming Commerce Server 2009 Developer Training course in Ottawa-Gatineau, Quebec from November 3 – 5th, 2009, visit http://www.cactuscommerce.com/services/Pages/cs09training.aspx
Note: Registrations for the September 29 - October 1, 2009 course is now closed.
Kraft Foods one of the world’s largest food and beverage companies with more than 270 consumer-facing Web sites around the world, wanted to standardize on a solution that would streamline the process of publishing Web content and reduce costs.
They implemented Microsoft® Office SharePoint® Server 2007 as its new strategic standard for Web content management, and is already running its largest Web sites on the new solution. Kraft is also harmonizing its e-commerce sites onto a single platform. Gevalia.com, the company’s first e-commerce site to run on Office SharePoint Server 2007 and Microsoft Commerce Server 2007, went live in July 2009 and is one of the first major Web sites to run both products under a single instance and architecture.
“The combination of Office SharePoint Server 2007 and Commerce Server 2007 gives us the technology footprint we need to expand and grow our e-commerce sites and businesses,” says Eddin Alvarado, Associate Director and lead of Global B2C eCommerce systems.
Understand how moving all of its Web sites to Office SharePoint Server 2007 by the end of 2010, gives Kraft a new global standard that will make its brand groups faster and more agile in their digital marketing efforts while reducing both IT costs and creative agency fees, read the complete case study.
