[International Event Introduction] Headless vs Traditional eCommerce Platforms

Issues with Traditional Monolithic Systems

Many traditional web systems have become massive monoliths.

 

A "monolith" refers to a massive flat stone found in ruins and similar sites. Here, it means a system that encapsulates everything into one large entity.

 

Such systems often have the following issues.

 

Lack of Flexibility

Even changing just a few modules can impact the entire system. In other words, it cannot quickly respond to changes in needs.

Slow Website

An architecture that relies on a single device cannot leverage features like those of a modern CDN. If algorithms that prioritize speed, such as Google's Core Web Vitals, are implemented, slow websites will struggle to compete.

Security Issues

A single defect can lead to service interruption. This poses a significant security risk.

Desktop-oriented design

Many are designed for desktop use because legacy systems are in operation. The concept of mobile-first has not yet permeated.

High Price

If you try to put everything into a good server, unnecessary features and specifications are also implemented without fail, resulting in high costs.

 

In fact, many current services and web applications face such issues.

So, how can we address these issues?

Let's take a look at the solutions!

Solutions Brought by the Jamstack Philosophy

To solve these issues, modularization is necessary.

 

In other words, we dismantle the monolith and divide it skillfully.

By breaking down the services we offer into smaller units and connecting them loosely, we reduce the dependencies between each.

 

This is exactly the philosophy of Jamstack.

 

At Commerce Layer, we design the architecture of our services based on the above philosophy.

 

Please see the figure below.

 

For example, we use a Headless CMS for inventory management. It works in conjunction with a static site generator. The generated site is delivered via a CDN.

 

Commerce Layer, which is the core of our services, is connected via APIs. Inventory references, checkout, and customer account management information are obtained through the CDN.

 

 

On the right side of the diagram are other services for reference.

 

For example, to expand e-commerce globally, a tax calculation system suitable for the region is necessary. By referencing various tax calculation services in a loosely coupled manner, a simple architecture can be maintained.

You can reference legacy systems like CRM without creating unnecessary dependencies.

 

As a result, the following can be achieved.

 

• Outstanding Flexibility
• Affordable and easy to scale
• Security through Loose Coupling
• Omnichannel Design
• Future Potential

Summary

Visit the Commerce Layer website and you will see that they are trying to realize e-commerce in a way that overturns the traditional concept of decoupling the monolith.

When trying to offer services in multiple languages and regions on the same brand or shopping site, you will face challenges such as the following.

 

• The method of calculating taxes is different
• The method of automatically sending orders to the shipping company and how to manage it is also different

 

Trying to incorporate everything into a traditional monolithic system becomes very complex.

Even if it somehow starts working, it will become a system that is so terrifying to touch that all we can do is hope, "May no one make any more changes..."

In fact, such systems exist in countless numbers in the world.

 

Considering this, global e-commerce can be said to be a field that can fully leverage the advantages of Jamstack.

 

However, achieving this loose coupling requires a very sophisticated design.

It is very reassuring that an ideal form in Jamstack is achieved by developers who boldly take on challenges.

 

Thank you for reading until the end.

 

Human Science Co., Ltd. provides solutions for web content and platforms using a unique combination of "document production know-how" and "the latest web development technology (Jamstack)" that is not available from other companies.

If you are interested, please feel free to contact us here!

Human Science Co., Ltd.

https://www.science.co.jp/document/jamstack.html

 

Source of this document: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FAStwFFZKE&t=187