Architecture & Strategy
Most wholesalers grow by adding extra functionality to their IT landscape. First a webshop, then a connection with a major customer, followed by a portal for the field service. The result? A web of point-to-point connections where nobody has an overview anymore. We call this the 'spaghetti-model'.
The pitfall of direct coupling
Every direct connection between your ERP and an external system (such as a webshop or a partner app) is a contract. If the source changes (your ERP) or the consumer changes (your webshop updates), you have to renegotiate the contract. If you have ten channels, you have ten of those contracts. Maintenance becomes a full-time job for your IT team, while innovation stalls.
The transition: Connect, don't chain
The PLGGR | HUB fundamentally changes the architecture. We move away from the idea that systems must be directly connected to each other. Instead, we introduce the HUB as an orchestration layer:
- The socket principle: Your ERP is the power source, the HUB is the socket. Your webshop, app or customer portal are the devices you 'plug in'. You don't need to rebuild the electricity network to connect a new lamp.
- Decoupling: By placing the HUB between your ERP and your channels, you decouple the systems. Your ERP can be replaced or upgraded without your webshop or customer portal having to go down.
Conclusion
An integration platform is not a cost item for "IT stuff", but an investment in commercial speed. By orchestrating your data centrally, you build not loose connections anymore, but an ecosystem that is ready for the next step.
Want to remove the "spaghetti" from your IT architecture? Get in touch via our contact form and we will gladly show you what is possible.
