Important things to know about #hclcommerce v9.1 release

Introduction

HCL Commerce 9.1.10.0 was released on March 31, 2022. What do we know about it, though? In this article, we'll go through the new features and enhancements in this release, as well as how they might help online businesses who use the platform.

Take a look back at HCL Commerce Version 9.1's beginnings.

Before we continue, let's take a look back at how version 9.1 came to be, a development journey that HCL Commerce began in June 2020. (v9.1.0.0).

The following were the five primary features:

• A search solution based on Elasticsearch

While maintaining compatibility with the SOLR-based search solution used in prior WebSphere Commerce releases, a new search solution was provided with cutting-edge features such as Natural Language Processing (NLP) and partial-word features.

• React-based store solution

Two new reference stores for B2B and B2C usage - Emerald and Sapphire. These reference stores leverage the React framework, the Elasticsearch-based search solution, and all of the architectural improvements present in modern HCL Commerce releases.

• Cloud-native

Version 9.1 iterates on the containerized cloud-native architecture of Version 9, and supports deployment on Kubernetes. HCL Software Factory could also be used to design and preview a software solution.

• Modernized business user tooling

The version also eliminated legacy business user tooling. It streamlined access to, and improves the quality-of-life functionality within their replacements.

• Support for new integrations and companion software

Version 9.1 featured new integrations and support for a growing number of companion software solutions. This included support for Oracle and OneDB databases, and integration with HCL Digital Experience, for powerful and easy-to-use content management.

Since then, HCL Commerce has made a number of modifications to the base version, culminating in version 9.1.10.0, which is the subject of our discussion today.

The three most important things to know about Version 9.1.10.0

The site features and functionality have been updated in HCL Commerce version 9.1.10.0. Here are the most important ones to be aware of:

Support from the marketplace

For version 9.1.10.0, HCL Commerce introduces marketplaces. The Marketplace menu item in the Management Center now has a number of new choices.The Marketplace option in the store allows designated owners to post products from other sellers. Buyers can use a single or multiple vendor names to filter products. This function is available to both registered and non-registered users.In addition, marketplace owners can manage multiple marketplaces as well as sellers, and sellers have options for controlling their own market.

Store enhancements for B2B and B2C (there are a number of them)

• Product Compare:?This allows site users to compare products on a dedicated screen. They can use this feature to compare features such as price, description, or even customer ratings of your products.
• Ribbon Ads now available for React Store:?A ribbon ad is an image overlay that is displayed over the thumbnail image of catalog entries. It is a shared characteristic of catalog entries, such as Exclusive, Clearance, New, or On Sale, to draw the attention of shoppers.
• My Account/Dashboard PI Updates:?Your customers have an improved My Account page that enables them to edit personal information such as name and address, and change the login password for their accounts.
• Kit Details Page:?Kits are collections of products that your customers can purchase in a single transaction. They differ from bundles in that the products and quantities are fixed. The Business-to-Business Sapphire React-based store now has a kits page that complements the existing bundle's feature.
• Remember-me/persistent session:?B2C React Store customers can leave a shopping session and on returning find their current cart and other details preserved. You can define which behaviors can be persisted, and even extend some persistence to guest shoppers.
• Product Listing Page Price Ranges:?The Product Listing Page (PLP) has been improved. The price range for SKUs of a product or a variant is now visible when these items are displayed in the PLP.
• Requisition Lists for B2B React stores:?Requisition lists are lists of items that will be used to create orders at a later date. Your customers can create requisition lists of items that they order frequently and use them to periodically re-order the items. You can now use requisition lists in B2B React-based stores.

Search enhancements

• Ingest profiles:?This powerful new feature enables you to fine-tune the behavior of NiFi connectors. In addition, you can configure Ingest using a single REST endpoint, adding and removing different NiFi capabilities from outside the main NiFi process flow.
• Migrate Elasticsearch customizations:?You can migrate custom connectors and NiFi flows to the latest version of HCL Commerce Search.?
• Support of authoring and production environments in separate clusters, allowing you to separate your Elasticsearch Auth and Production clusters.
• Remote debugging of Query service
• Data integrity check:?Improve the reliability of the Ingest service by checking the health of the Index.

Summary

As you can see from the above, there are a number of reasons to be excited about the new features introduced in the latest HCL Commerce release. While the notable highlights are platform’s movement in the marketplace direction and store enhancements for B2B & B2C, other improvements such as Elasticsearch capabilities have solidified HCL Commerce’s position as one of the leaders in the competitive market of eCommerce technology providers.

So if you are on a previous version, make sure your site is prepared once this update is applied.

You can get in touch with us at Moptra Infotech Pvt Ltd, one of Indias leading ECommerce development companies with worldwide network and a proud #hclcommerce partner.

To contact us you can visit www.moptra.com or mail us at [email protected]