The SharePoint and Commerce Server session really started by talking about what Commerce Server brings to the table with it’s integration capabilities for SharePoint.  They stressed the fact that with the two products Commerce Server is really setting a platform where SharePoint hosts the presentation of the structured e-commerce data with the Web Content Management functionality that SharePoint offers.

Today, Commerce Server bring an out-of-the box shopping experience that also empowers marketers and merchandisers to manage the commerce functionality.  The out-of-the box web parts that Commerce server brings to the table enables you to get ready to process transactions quickly during your deployment.  Commerce Server has strong integrations not only with SharePoint but also BizTalk and the Windows Live! service.

Commerce Server has unified the API’s that are used between managing the e-commerce data and ordering information.  With these new unified API’s allow Commerce Server to use any front-end service to present their information.  With this being the SharePoint Conference, of course the integration with the current version were highlighted.  Out-of-the Box Commerce Server brings a contemporary site definition that is used by the SharePoint Commerce Services which includes all of the needed web parts, branding and controls for e-commerce.

SharePoint Commerce Services brings over 30+ web parts to the SharePoint interface to work with the e-commerce data.  Some of these web parts allow user self service management, Commerce Server search web parts, ordering and cart functionality and marketing tools.

[“Brian”]