Net.Commerce ships with IBM's DB2 database, which serves as the central data store for the entire product. The code and internal database schemas are well-documented, making Net.Commerce superbly extensible. Platform support is excellent--the product is available for AIX, AS/400, System 390, Windows NT and Solaris. Net.Commerce supports native connectivity to DB2 and Oracle databases, with ODBC support for other databases. IBM has no plans to support SQL Server in Net.Commerce. The current version of Net.Commerce does not support LDAP, though it can query an LDAP database for user information; IBM recommends using the built-in DB2 registration database for performance reasons.

Net.Commerce really shines when it comes to connectivity and extensibility. Predefined transaction templates are included for CICS, MQ Series and IMS. Integration with ERP systems (SAP R3, SSA) is supported, and EDI integration also is available, at least as far as Order/Order Notification and outbound supply-chain data. Net.Commerce supports OBI, SET, SSL and Certificates (Verifone and CyberCash also are supported as payment options). Unlike Site Server, however, Net.Commerce does not currently support XML. Net.Commerce uses Netscape Enterprise Server 3 and Domino as Web servers, and will soon support Apache and IIS as well. Routine preservation of session information, integration with Crystal Reports and a fully documented database schema ensure that just about any kind of user or usage information can be extracted.

Commands in Net.Commerce represent business processes and map to a specific URL that contains the command name and its parameters as name value pairs. Commands accept an HTTP request and process it, then pass the resulting HTTP document back to the user interface. Tasks, which are defined and called by commands and handle a discrete piece of business logic, are implemented as documented APIs (overridable functions), so users should be able to customize virtually any business function within Net.Commerce by overriding the existing function.

Net.Commerce supports CORBA, COM/DCOM and Enterprise JavaBeans within functions. However, DCOM is supported outbound-only from the server to COM objects, not from clients inbound to the Net.Commerce server. Unlike Site Server, Net.Commerce code can be written only in C++, though that will change with the addition of Java in the next version.

The server model within Net.Commerce is fast and scalable, but somewhat oddly configured. The "servers" (which operate more like processes) are multiprocessing but not multithreaded, and multiple servers can run on a physical host, each assigned to a server pool (management of server pools really could use its own GUI tool). Each server maintains two--and only two--connections to the database, one for key management, the other for transactions. A software router/cache manager distributes requests to the least-used server, balancing server load. This architecture is fairly robust, but since the number of servers can't be dynamically modified, theoretically it might be susceptible to overload if a sudden traffic spike occurs. In the next major release, IBM plans to integrate Net.Commerce with its WebSphere application server product, which features a more robust and scalable server model.

Net.Commerce has well-designed, wizard-like features that greatly simplify setup and site maintenance. Store Creator, a Java applet, is especially useful because it can iterate results--it's not just a one-way generator. Within a few minutes, even a non-programmer can have a basic storefront up and running, though anything really complex or nonstandard (three standard store "templates" are included) will require programming.

Net.Commerce's Sales Assistant feature, used to set up rule-based searches through a diverse selection of products, is one of the most well-designed and intuitive product search features we've seen. After a very straightforward configuration by a business manager or administrator, it can take users of the site thorough a series of simple, plain-English questions about the products--for example, "Is low price important to you?" Based on the answers, Sales Assistant reports how many products match the criteria, and lets users get down to whatever level of specificity they choose.