What is TradelinePro? – TradelinePro

INFO

TradelinePro covers around 80% of typical requirements out of the box as a plug-and-play system. It is based on the DACH market leader Shopware 6 and enables the efficient, low-risk launch of a B2B shop for your business. These benefits allow you to start a B2B online shop with Shopware 6 in just a few weeks with minimal risk.

TradelinePro is software for operating B2B online shops and customer portals and is based on Shopware 6.

The software maps the essential business processes of companies in the DACH region as they are established in wholesale and the manufacturing industry.

The solution is sized so that it can be a fitting e-commerce platform for small to mid-sized companies for digital sales and customer service.

TradelinePro does not compete with fully integrated solutions such as SAP Commerce or greenfield solutions such as Spryker.

For shop operators who have previously addressed their requirements using standard solutions (Magento, Shopware, Typo3, etc.) combined with a substantial amount of custom development, TradelinePro is a fitting option.

Demo systems

You can reach the public demo systems for TradelinePro B2B for Shopware at the following URLs:

Shopware 6 as the foundation

TradelinePro is based on the very successful Shopware 6 software (Community Edition). We use the core functionality of Shopware 6 and extend or adapt it for B2B shops. This connection ensures that TradelinePro is always at the cutting edge of e-commerce software development and is supported by a broad landscape of service providers, third-party vendors, extensions and system integrations.

Our B2B extensions are fully compatible with Shopware and are implemented in line with the developer guidelines of Shopware AG. This ensures the greatest possible compatibility with the Shopware 6 software and its ecosystem (e.g. plugins from the Shopware Store). Nevertheless, it should be emphasised here that TradelinePro provides a framework for individual B2B business models. As such, integration and extension with other systems and plugins must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and may not always be expedient or possible.

In addition to the TradelinePro terms, the licence terms of Shopware AG apply.

Shopware Store

Via the so-called Shopware Store you can add further functionality to your system via so-called "plugins".

Please coordinate this with your implementation partner. The plugins to be added should be reviewed before productive use and carefully integrated into the system. Above all, compatibility with the overall system must be established for the appearance in the storefront and for downstream business processes.

Plug & Play

TradelinePro is designed to meet the essential B2B requirements of the mid-market directly. Both the storefront and the business processes can be customised to a high degree via configuration. This means a TradelinePro shop can go into productive use within just a few weeks.

You will find an overview of all B2B shop features here, and a detailed list here.

Any adjustments or functional extensions beyond this should be carried out by trained software developers on the basis of a stable framework.

This manual assumes that, in a preceding concept phase, the necessary considerations and decisions for the successful introduction of an ordering and customer portal in your company have already been made. The manual further assumes that the introduction of the system is being carried out by a team with the necessary expertise for this undertaking.

To successfully set up the TradelinePro software, the following steps need to be completed:

Installation
Configuring the basic functions
Adapting the storefront to your brand identity
Adapting the customer journey and features to your assortment and business processes
Maintaining product data, customer data and further content
Establishing integrations with further systems such as ERP, PIM, CRM
Tests and acceptance
Go-live
Heavy-care phase

Please engage an experienced partner for B2B shop projects to guide you through the project with a proven process.

ERP as the leading system

TradelinePro is designed so that an ERP (merchandise management) serves as the leading system and the online shop acts as a "storefront to the customer". This mindset can be realised in expansion stages. In principle, the shop is technically also autonomous – fully functional without any integration with an ERP. In a comprehensive expansion stage, however, the shop only acts as a "shell".

Depending on the existing system landscape and the digital maturity of your organisation, differentiated approaches are necessary and possible on a case-by-case basis.

By data type, an integration can range from minimal to complete. The necessary interfaces are prepared and processes can be configured accordingly.

However, specific adaptation to the particular needs of your business requires the interaction of various stakeholders. Through individual adjustments on the basis of the given standards, a suitable approach can be implemented for almost any scenario.

Modules (plugins)

TradelinePro extends the Shopware base system with various functions for B2B sales. From a technical perspective, these extensions are called "plugins" – we also call them modules.

In principle, this is a "technical detail". However, we cover it because the concept of "plugins" is heavily used in the Shopware world. Various functional extensions or, for example, payment methods can be purchased as plugins (or apps; the difference is explained here) in the so-called Shopware Store and integrated into your own online shop.

For technical reasons we also provide TradelinePro in plugins and bundle logical functional areas in dedicated plugins.

The manual assumes that all relevant plugins have been installed and are therefore ready for use. Some functional areas (i.e. plugins) can also be deactivated globally. They then no longer have any effect in the online shop. Where relevant, the plugin behind a function is named. Beyond that, this does not matter.

Customisability of the system

TradelinePro offers you a wide range of functions and possibilities out of the box, but the true strength of the system lies in its flexibility and adaptability. Your business is unique, and so are your processes and requirements for an online shop.

That is precisely why TradelinePro, based on Shopware 6, is designed so that it can be extended and individually adapted to your needs by trained experts – i.e. developers – at any time. Think of the system as a solid foundation on which you can build your very own shop.

These individual adjustments can affect quite different areas:

New functions: Do you need a special interface to your ERP system? Would you like to offer your customers a unique product configuration? No problem! Developers can extend TradelinePro on the basis of Shopware 6 with the desired functions.
Optimised processes: Automate recurring tasks, optimise your ordering processes or integrate special workflows – with TradelinePro based on Shopware 6 and the expertise of developers, there are hardly any limits to what you can do.

Do not hesitate to make use of these options! The investment in individual adjustments pays off by making your processes more efficient, giving your customers a better shopping experience and ultimately increasing your revenue.

Scope of this manual

This manual aims to enable you, dear reader, to competently administer and use TradelinePro.

As already mentioned, TradelinePro is based on the Shopware 6 software. We therefore focus on the core areas of TradelinePro and supplement general Shopware usage where this is helpful for overall understanding.

For deeper knowledge we additionally recommend the Academy and the manual by Shopware.

Licence terms

The licence terms for the TradelinePro modules can be found here.