Notes from the operating record.
Numbered notes from the engineers, architects and operators who write the source. A regular editorial series, two notes per week. Not content marketing.
The Record is an operating archive. Earlier issues are being released progressively, so issue numbers begin partway through the sequence. Archive refs (REF 058, REPL/048) are internal serials, not publication numbers.
Read by the problem you're trying to solve.
Notes are catalogued by category, but the more useful entry point is the brief on your desk. Pick a challenge to filter the feed below.
Order management for trade buyers: the OMS questions that decide platform selection
For trade and B2B buyers, the order is a complex, long-running process. Choosing a commerce platform hinges on first answering the hard questions about your order management system strategy.
Conversational commerce in B2B: the use cases that pay back inside one quarter
Don't get distracted by AI hype. In B2B, conversational commerce delivers ROI when it solves specific, high-cost problems like complex order entry or expert product discovery.
B2B punchout for Coupa, Ariba and Jaggaer: where the implementations actually differ
While cXML and OCI provide a common language for B2B punchout, major e-procurement platforms like Coupa, Ariba, and Jaggaer speak very different dialects. Here is where the implementations really differ.
SEO for builders merchants: branch pages, product hubs and the site architecture that ranks
Standard SEO fails for builders merchants. To rank, your site architecture must prioritise hyper-local branch pages for local intent and product hubs for system-based searches.
Builders merchants on mobile: what site search has to do that nobody talks about
On-site search for a builders' merchant needs to act as a precision tool, not a discovery engine. It must parse complex trade vernacular to succeed, a challenge most platforms are not built for.
AI for B2B ecommerce: where to start safely
Integrating AI into B2B ecommerce requires a structured approach to data, security, and measurable outcomes. Identify low-risk, high-value applications first.
Replatforming without a freeze: the dual-write pattern that makes it possible
Conventional wisdom dictates a lengthy code freeze for any major replatform. We argue this is a costly mistake. This article explains the dual-write pattern, a strategy that keeps old and new systems in sync, eliminating the need for a freeze.
Why agentic checkout pilots fail in B2B and what the second attempt should fix
Agentic checkout in B2B is failing at the pilot stage for predictable reasons. The second attempt has to start from a different premise about the buyer.
Ecommerce taxonomy strategy for complex B2B catalogues
A well-structured taxonomy is critical for B2B ecommerce, enabling efficient product discovery and improved conversions within complex catalogues.
Punchout in 2026: what cXML still gets right and where OCI breaks
A practitioner view of cXML and OCI in 2026: where the verbosity of cXML earns its keep, where OCI breaks in production, and how to plan a punchout integration that survives audit.
Product data quality is the AI commerce question, not the model
AI in commerce is a data project with a model on top. The model is the easy part. The product data is the part that decides whether any of it works.
Why your trade buyers do not use the mobile site (and the three fixes that recover the revenue)
B2B mobile use is low because most B2B mobile sites are unfit for the work the buyer is trying to do. Three changes that recover the revenue without a redesign.
Trade-account checkout: the UX patterns that move B2B revenue
Trade-account checkout earns its revenue from the details that B2C playbooks ignore: job references, cost centres, approval chains and the parts of the order that are not the payment.
ERP-led pricing in B2B commerce: SAP, Microsoft Dynamics and the integration patterns that survive
Synchronous pricing calls to the ERP are the most common avoidable failure in B2B commerce. The integration patterns that survive at scale decouple the storefront from the back office.
SAP Business One ecommerce integration for B2B companies
Integrating SAP Business One with ecommerce for B2B requires strategic planning, covering data flow, order processing, and customer account management.
Adobe Commerce vs Shopify Plus when the deciding factor is trade-account credit
For trade-led businesses, the platform decision is a credit and reconciliation decision. We look at where Adobe Commerce and Shopify Plus actually break under that load.
Why most B2B ecommerce projects are actually data projects
Most B2B ecommerce projects are data challenges in disguise. Success hinges on robust data integration, not just frontend features. Prioritise data strategy.
When Shopify, BigCommerce or commercetools are the right answer
When evaluating commerce platforms, Shopify, BigCommerce, and commercetools represent valid alternatives to Adobe Commerce for specific commercial and technical profiles. Understanding the trade-offs is key.
How to spot a commerce project that is about to drift
Learn to identify early indicators of a drifting commerce project, from scope creep to communication breakdowns, to prevent delays and budget issues.
Why B2B ecommerce needs pricing logic in the room early
Ignoring pricing complexity until late in a B2B ecommerce project can lead to significant cost and delay. Early integration of pricing logic is critical.
Why internal teams matter as much as customers in B2B UX
Ignoring internal teams in B2B UX design can lead to operational bottlenecks and project failure. Prioritising internal user needs ensures efficient platform use and successful commerce operations.
Quote-to-cash in B2B commerce: where the storefront ends and the ERP begins
Understanding the division of labour between your B2B storefront and ERP for quote-to-cash is critical for operational efficiency and revenue recognition.
Why "headless" is not a strategy
Headless architecture is a technical choice, not a strategy. We examine when it applies to B2B and complex retail, considering technical debt and long-term goals.
Accessible faceted search on Adobe Commerce: keyboard, screen reader and the patterns that pass audit
Accessible faceted search on Adobe Commerce is critical. We examine ARIA patterns, keyboard navigation, and WCAG compliance to ensure audit success.