Nexternal Solutions, now operating as the TrueCommerce Nexternal eCommerce Platform following its acquisition by TrueCommerce, is a comprehensive, web-based e-commerce software provider. The company, which was founded in 1999, specializes in offering a robust, all-in-one solution for manufacturers, distributors, and retailers seeking to manage complex online sales operations, spanning both business-to-consumer (B2C) and business-to-business (B2B) channels. The platform is delivered as an Application Service Provider (ASP), meaning Nexternal hosts, manages, and maintains the software on its secure, PCI Service Level 1 compliant servers, requiring merchants to only use a web browser to access the system.
The core function of Nexternal's offering is to provide an omni-channel commerce platform that unifies all sales activities into a single database solution. This architecture gives businesses a holistic view of customer activity, regardless of whether a purchase is made online, in person, or over the phone.
Products and Services
The Nexternal eCommerce Platform is distinguished by its deep feature set, which is continually evolving and designed to handle sophisticated e-commerce requirements that simpler applications may not support. Its main offerings can be segmented into the following categories:
E-commerce Storefront and Point of Sale
Omni-Channel Sales: The platform enables direct sales to consumers or other businesses online, as well as in-person sales through its mobile point-of-sale solution, TrueCommerce Engage, which leverages the same central database as the online catalog.
Customizable Storefront: The hosted online store can be endlessly customized in appearance to seamlessly integrate with a merchant's existing website, including the option to use a custom domain alias.
Customer Experience Features: The platform offers a user-friendly shopping experience with an Always On Screen Shopping Cart, Product Image Zoom, and a Direct Checkout feature for streamlined single-product orders. It also supports eGift Certificates and Chase Paymentech Gift Cards.
B2B Capabilities: It supports complex custom pricing models, allowing for unique pricing structures on a per-product, per-category, and per-store basis for specific customers. The B2B solution also includes features for quick order entry.
Order Management System (OMS)
The integrated OMS acts as the central control hub for the entire order lifecycle, serving as a single source for managing all pricing, promotions, status, and customer care.
* Order Processing: Merchants can efficiently manage volume with Batch Order Processing for payments and shipping, Single Click Credit Card Processing (compatible with major gateways like Authorize.net and PayPal's Payflow Pro), and tools to capture phone, fax, and mail orders directly within the system.
* Fulfillment Management: The system facilitates efficient fulfillment through the dynamic creation of merchant-branded Packing Slips and Invoices, support for Split Shipments, and the use of Warehouse Product Locator Codes.
* DropShip Module: A built-in module automates communication with drop-ship vendors, notifying them of items to be shipped and providing a vendor-specific Order Retrieval & Update System for marking items as shipped and supplying tracking numbers.
Shipping and Logistics
A major strength is its deep integration with shipping carriers, designed to streamline the logistics process.
* Integrated Shipping Tools: The platform integrates with major carriers including UPS Online Tools, FedEx Ship Manager Direct, Golden State Overnight (GSO), and USPS Web Tools/Endicia. These integrations provide real-time rate calculation, label creation directly from the OMS, tracking number retrieval, and address validation.
* Flexible Rate Calculation: Merchants can use up to 10 different shipping cost calculators and define up to 50 custom geographical zones to create highly flexible, 3-dimensional rate calculations based on cost, zone, and shipping method. It also supports multiple ship-from locations.
* Niche Support: For specialized industries like wine, the system includes features such as integrated "Adult Signature Required" label creation.
Marketing and Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
The platform includes features to drive sales and manage customer relationships.
* Promotional Tools: Merchants can utilize flexible eCoupons for various promotions (percentage off, flat rate, free shipping, or "buy X, get Y"), offer Loyalty Programs, and create Social Commerce Promotions with Tipping Points.
* Digital Integration: Features include an SEO-optimized catalog and XML Sitemap Generator, Social Media Integration for sharing, and automated daily product data feeds for major comparison shopping engines like Amazon Marketplace, Google Product Search, Yahoo!, Shopping.com, and NexTag.
* Email Marketing: It includes a Bulk Mail Wizard for targeted customer emails and seamless integration with MailChimp for automated customer data synchronization.
* CRM Capabilities: Beyond order management, the platform serves as a powerful CRM tool, allowing users to Record Activities (e.g., phone calls, emails) and Schedule Follow-ups for customer service and sales. A free, turn-key Salesforce.com Integration is available via the Salesforce AppExchange to automatically pull order data and customer information.
Reporting
Robust Reporting: The system features a Dashboard that provides visual business metrics (revenue goals, top-selling products, top customers). Detailed reports are available, including the Order Report, Profit Report, Sales Tax Report (broken down by jurisdiction), and Affiliate Commission Report.
Integration: It offers seamless integration with Google Analytics for advanced e-commerce tracking and can export transaction data to formats like QuickBooks, MYOB, MS Excel, or MS Access.
Please note: This information is generated by AI. For legal use, verify with company sources.
