
3 Ways To Enhance E-Commerce Experience And Operations
In today's fast news cycles and noisy customer acquisition and retention landscape, tools that help brands offer innovative solutions to increase retention, streamline operations, and create cost savings are invaluable. Several resources are making significant strides in this quest, backed by industry research and expert insights.
Starting from what's typically hidden behind the scenes, Pipe17 aims to revolutionize e-commerce order operations. Founded with the mission to unify and structure data while automating order flows, Pipe17 addresses the complexities that online merchants face in managing multiple sales channels, fulfillment centers, and back-office systems. And they do it without the need for enterprise or traditional order management systems (OMS). This is important because legacy solutions often fall short due to their inflexibility, resource-intensive nature and high total cost of ownership. Pipe17 offers a modern alternative by combining order orchestration with built-for-commerce connectivity, enabling businesses to automate their order operations without expensive OMS or integration platforms.
At the core of Pipe17's technology is its hub-and-spoke architecture, which powers customer journeys by connecting front-end sales channels (e.g., direct-to-consumer, marketplaces, and multi-brand partners) to fulfillment centers and back-office applications seamlessly. Additionally, Pipe17's AI agent, Pippen, assists businesses in enhancing decision-making and eliminating repetitive tasks by leveraging a comprehensive commerce data model and best practices in order operations.
Scott Lux, EVP of Global E-commerce and Technology for Esprit Holdings, emphasizes the importance of such a solution: 'This type of technology is business-critical in supporting a modern approach to drive growth and enable commerce across multiple solutions. Pipe17 gives brands a single source of truth across all channels for inventory management, eliminating long-term tech and operational debt that is problematic in today's e-commerce ecosystems.'
This perspective is supported by research from McKinsey & Company, which highlights that businesses leveraging automation in their order management processes experience a 15-25% reduction in operational costs and a 20-30% improvement in order fulfillment speed, leading to enhanced customer satisfaction and retention.
Complementary to Pipe17's operational efficiencies, Corral Data supports brands in managing and applying solutions that enable the collection, organization, and analysis of vast amounts of information. By providing tools that streamline data workflows, Corral empowers organizations to make informed decisions, uncover insights, and drive strategic initiatives.
According to Lux, 'Corral Data allows a brand to connect to hundreds of data sources without the dependency on data engineers. Retail is in the moment, and having actionable insights in real-time is key to serving cross-functional teams in today's retail climate.'
Research from Harvard Business Review underscores this, noting that companies that effectively utilize big data analytics are 5-6% more profitable than their competitors and make strategic decisions 19% faster on average. Corral Data's solutions align with this trend by enabling real-time access to critical business intelligence, fostering agility in decision-making.
Even closer to what a customer actually sees is how they experience a brand. Another foundational platform that Lux identifies as key to success is Hark, which enables brands to become more customer-centric by offering a cost-effective and interactive solution to customer communications and feedback.
Hark's innovative approach integrates voice of the customer (VoC) feedback into the customer journey, moving beyond static surveys and impersonal chatbots. Instead, customers can share their experiences via video, audio, or images, while AI layers in real-time analysis and sentiment structuring. This methodology aligns with findings from Forrester Research, which reports that companies leveraging VoC programs see customer retention rates increase by up to 55%.
Lux notes: 'Hark transforms a brand's connection to its customers at pivotal moments. By modernizing the voice of the customer, brands foster loyalty and build lasting relationships.'
A study from Gartner also supports that modernizing
the voice of the customer fosters brand loyalty, revealing that organizations using VoC insights to drive strategy improve customer satisfaction scores by 25% on average and experience a 10-15% increase in revenue growth compared to competitors who do not.
The trifecta of Pipe17, Corral Data, and Hark exemplifies the innovative spirit required to navigate today's increasingly competitive business environment, where profitability is paramount. By offering solutions that streamline operations, harness the power of data, and enhance customer engagement, these companies empower businesses to operate more efficiently and effectively – all while delivering exceptional customer experiences.
As businesses continue to evolve, the integration of automation, data-driven insights, and VoC strategies will be key to long-term success. With the backing of research and expert endorsements, it's clear that leveraging these tools isn't just an option, but rather a necessity for brands looking to thrive in the modern marketplace.

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Forbes
24-04-2025
- Forbes
More Than A Game: Scottie Pippen's Mission To Bring Culture Onchain
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 28: Former NBA player Scottie Pippen looks on during the NBL Play-In ... More Qualifier match between Sydney Kings and New Zealand Breakers at Qudos Bank Arena, on February 28, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by) Scottie Pippen isn't jumping into crypto for attention. He's here to build. The Hall of Famer is part of a growing wave of athletes who see blockchain not just as a financial opportunity, but as a cultural one. In our conversation, he reflected on how little players talked about investing during his NBA days, why Bitcoin finally clicked for him, and how his latest project, $BALL, isn't just another token. It's a bet that physical objects, like the championship basketball from his first title, can carry value across blockchains, generations, and communities. Pippen's resume speaks for itself: six NBA championships, seven All-Star appearances, ten All-Defensive team selections, and two Olympic gold medals. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame twice, once as an individual and again as a member of the legendary 1992 'Dream Team.' Widely regarded as one of the greatest two-way players in basketball history, Pippen's impact on the game has been felt across decades. Now, he's aiming to leave a similar mark in a new arena. When Scottie Pippen entered the NBA in 1987, investing wasn't part of locker room conversations. 'I don't think players talked too much about it,' he told me. One of the few exceptions was Junior Bridgeman, a former Milwaukee Buck who quietly built a fast food empire after retiring. 'He was one of those guys we kind of idolized and respected for what he had done,' Pippen said. Bridgeman never made an All-Star team, but he turned his NBA salary into ownership of over 400 Wendy's and Chili's franchises. That transformation, from role player to multimillionaire businessman, stood out in a league where endorsements and flashy purchases were often more visible than equity or ownership. Pippen tried to follow a similar path. Early in his career, he invested in Taco Bell franchises, but a falling out with his partners forced him out of the deal. 'I didn't have the bandwidth to do it myself,' he said, noting how hard it was to navigate without the right people around him. Even standout stars at the time weren't always focused on long-term plays other than Michael Jordan's legendary Nike deal. Magic Johnson broke that mold, using his platform after retirement to build a billion-dollar portfolio that included movie theaters, real estate, Starbucks, and stakes in major sports franchises. Years later, Shaquille O'Neal followed a similar path, becoming known for savvy early investments in companies like Google, Ring, and Papa John's. 'Back then, we didn't have the bandwidth or the people around us to really understand the business side,' Pippen said. That's changed now, but it's part of what drew him to crypto in the first place. Pippen's interest in Bitcoin started around three years ago. 'I'd always been curious, but didn't really understand it,' he said. Like many people outside the tech world, it took time, and volatility, for it to feel real. What ultimately caught his attention was Bitcoin's role as the foundation of the crypto space. 'It seems like it's the main coin. It kind of sets the standard,' he said. 'When you want to learn something, you look at what the best is doing.' He and his team started paying close attention during the last cycle, when Bitcoin fell from its all-time high of $69,000 to the mid-teens. 'We really started looking at it seriously when it dropped to around $17,000,' he said. From there, they watched it climb, eventually reaching a number that happened to match Pippen's jersey: 33. 'That's when it really got on my radar,' he added. That philosophy, learned by watching the leaders, became a through line in how he thinks about investing today. While he's aware of other chains like Ethereum and Solana, he's never strayed far from Bitcoin. 'I've watched them, but I haven't put my money into anything else,' he said. 'Not because I don't think they'll do well, but because I believe in Bitcoin.' That belief in fundamentals is what led him to partner with a team of creatives and technologists to launch $BALL, a crypto project rooted in one object: the actual game ball from Pippen's first NBA championship in 1991. What started as a conversation about prized possessions turned into a thesis: that physical objects, when backed by cultural history and digitally tokenized, can become assets just as valuable as art or NFTs. 'It's not about an individual accolade,' Scottie said. 'It's about teamwork, and what the ball represents for the culture.' From there, $BALL has grown into an ecosystem: an RWA (real world asset) with a digital twin, surrounded by gaming, apparel, AI, and even a documentary. Other athletes have made moves into crypto. Spencer Dinwiddie famously tried to tokenize his NBA contract, Lionel Messi became the global face of Bitget, and Cristiano Ronaldo partnered with Binance on a series of digital collectibles. Even LeBron James has gotten involved, teaming up with to bring blockchain education to students at his I PROMISE School in Akron. But where many of these efforts were tied to sponsorships or one-off campaigns, Pippen's approach is rooted in legacy and storytelling. 'Ball is a language,' his team told me. 'Everybody speaks it. We just needed to put it onchain.' If Bitcoin is the foundation and $BALL is the story, then the future is about reach. For Pippen and his team, this isn't just about a token, it's about creating experiences that onboard people into Web3 without them needing to be fluent in the technology. 'Most people still don't understand crypto,' his team told me. 'But they understand ball.' Over the next year, $BALL will roll out integrations with games like Fortnite, a mobile game called Meme Ball, and a trash-talking AI agent modeled after the Magic 8 Ball. There's a documentary in the works, metaverse experiences planned, and a physical-digital tour aimed at bridging Web2 and Web3. All of it is built around one real-world object: a game ball that represents teamwork, history, and the idea that culture can carry value across chains. Their thesis is bold. In a space dominated by price charts and memecoins, Pippen and his team believe the most valuable asset onchain might one day be a basketball. 'Once upon a time, people didn't believe in Bitcoin. Then they didn't believe in Dogecoin,' said Pippen. 'Now there's a new category which are real-world objects with cultural weight and it needs a leader. That's what we're building.' Pippen might be deep in the crypto world now, but he still knows when to let others lead the charge. After making a few tongue-in-cheek Bitcoin predictions online about knowing who Satoshi Nakamoto is, he shared that MicroStrategy's Michael Saylor pulled him aside and told him to stop talking about Satoshi. Pippen laughed. 'I'm gonna try to keep my mouth closed and follow Michael's lead,' he said. 'It's worked out for me before.'


Associated Press
22-04-2025
- Associated Press
Pipe17 Announces New Partnership with commercetools to Accelerate Omnichannel Order Operations
Partnership lets Brands Manage Their Order and Inventory Flows Simply with AI SEATTLE, WA, UNITED STATES, April 22, 2025 / / -- Pipe17, a leading provider of AI-powered composable Order Operations solutions to brands, retailers, 3PLs and wholesalers, today announced a strategic partnership with commercetools, the most versatile platform for enterprise commerce innovation. This new collaboration enables brands and retailers on the commercetools platform to quickly deploy, enhance, or extend their order management capabilities without the need for a large, traditional order management system (OMS). Modern brands and retailers recognize the importance of meeting shoppers wherever they are—whether that's on marketplaces, social platforms, brand sites, or in-store. However, adding more sales channels, back office systems of record, and fulfillment options can significantly increase operational complexity. By integrating Pipe17's order operations platform through commercetools Connect, business users can configure and automate order flows within days, ensuring all orders reach the right back office system of record and fulfillment channel with real-time accuracy and visibility. 'Pipe17's network-driven approach to connectivity and streamlined order routing aligns with our commitment to building flexible, future-proof commerce solutions. This partnership equips our shared customers with a rapid, no-code route to selling across multiple channels,'said Dirk Hoerig, founder of commercetools. Pipe17's order operations platform offers a unique combination of connectivity, provided by a managed network of hundreds of marketplaces, 3PLs, WMSes, ERPs, Data Lakes, and other critical business applications, and intelligence, provided by its AI agent, Pippen. From advanced AI-based routing to robust inventory synchronization, Pipe17 allows organizations to unify their order operations, whether they need a full replacement or to complement an existing OMS. Over time, this modular approach lets brands gradually replace the functionality of a legacy OMS, similar to how commercetools has enabled enterprises to move away from monolithic commerce platforms. 'In the same way commercetools transformed enterprise commerce technology, Pipe17 is redefining how businesses manage orders, back office integrations and fulfillment channels,' said Kelly Goetsch, Chief Operating Officer at Pipe17. 'We're delighted to partner with commercetools and give enterprise customers a faster, more agile path to launching on new channels.' Pipe17 is immediately available through commercetools Solution Hub, allowing brands and retailers to quickly add new sales channels, reduce their reliance on legacy systems, and improve operational efficiency without disruption. About Pipe17 Pipe17 Inc. provides AI-Powered Order Operations solutions for modern brands, wholesalers and fulfillment service providers. Based in Seattle, Washington, Pipe17's innovative combination of AI powered order orchestration and end-to-end visibility powered by a managed tech-enabled partner network of more than 300 selling, fulfillment and back office partners, lets businesses process more orders from more channels efficiently, dramatically reduce inventory and fulfillment costs and keep their promises to their customers. Learn more at or at [email protected]. About commercetools commercetools is the leading enterprise commerce platform built to power innovation and versatility for the world's leading brands. Our composable, cloud-native technology provides the flexibility to design tailored, scalable commerce experiences across any channel, at any scale — whether in stores, on social media, through connected devices, or in augmented reality. By removing the constraints of legacy systems, commercetools enables companies to innovate freely, personalize at scale, and quickly launch new channels to meet the evolving demands of their customers. As trusted partners to brands like Audi, Danone, Eurail, NBCUniversal, and Sephora, commercetools helps its customers set the pace of innovation, deliver exceptional experiences, and achieve sustainable growth. With commercetools, businesses don't just adapt to change — they lead it. To learn more, visit Jon P Gettinger Pipe17 email us here Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.


Forbes
29-03-2025
- Forbes
3 Ways To Enhance E-Commerce Experience And Operations
In today's fast news cycles and noisy customer acquisition and retention landscape, tools that help brands offer innovative solutions to increase retention, streamline operations, and create cost savings are invaluable. Several resources are making significant strides in this quest, backed by industry research and expert insights. Starting from what's typically hidden behind the scenes, Pipe17 aims to revolutionize e-commerce order operations. Founded with the mission to unify and structure data while automating order flows, Pipe17 addresses the complexities that online merchants face in managing multiple sales channels, fulfillment centers, and back-office systems. And they do it without the need for enterprise or traditional order management systems (OMS). This is important because legacy solutions often fall short due to their inflexibility, resource-intensive nature and high total cost of ownership. Pipe17 offers a modern alternative by combining order orchestration with built-for-commerce connectivity, enabling businesses to automate their order operations without expensive OMS or integration platforms. At the core of Pipe17's technology is its hub-and-spoke architecture, which powers customer journeys by connecting front-end sales channels (e.g., direct-to-consumer, marketplaces, and multi-brand partners) to fulfillment centers and back-office applications seamlessly. Additionally, Pipe17's AI agent, Pippen, assists businesses in enhancing decision-making and eliminating repetitive tasks by leveraging a comprehensive commerce data model and best practices in order operations. Scott Lux, EVP of Global E-commerce and Technology for Esprit Holdings, emphasizes the importance of such a solution: 'This type of technology is business-critical in supporting a modern approach to drive growth and enable commerce across multiple solutions. Pipe17 gives brands a single source of truth across all channels for inventory management, eliminating long-term tech and operational debt that is problematic in today's e-commerce ecosystems.' This perspective is supported by research from McKinsey & Company, which highlights that businesses leveraging automation in their order management processes experience a 15-25% reduction in operational costs and a 20-30% improvement in order fulfillment speed, leading to enhanced customer satisfaction and retention. Complementary to Pipe17's operational efficiencies, Corral Data supports brands in managing and applying solutions that enable the collection, organization, and analysis of vast amounts of information. By providing tools that streamline data workflows, Corral empowers organizations to make informed decisions, uncover insights, and drive strategic initiatives. According to Lux, 'Corral Data allows a brand to connect to hundreds of data sources without the dependency on data engineers. Retail is in the moment, and having actionable insights in real-time is key to serving cross-functional teams in today's retail climate.' Research from Harvard Business Review underscores this, noting that companies that effectively utilize big data analytics are 5-6% more profitable than their competitors and make strategic decisions 19% faster on average. Corral Data's solutions align with this trend by enabling real-time access to critical business intelligence, fostering agility in decision-making. Even closer to what a customer actually sees is how they experience a brand. Another foundational platform that Lux identifies as key to success is Hark, which enables brands to become more customer-centric by offering a cost-effective and interactive solution to customer communications and feedback. Hark's innovative approach integrates voice of the customer (VoC) feedback into the customer journey, moving beyond static surveys and impersonal chatbots. Instead, customers can share their experiences via video, audio, or images, while AI layers in real-time analysis and sentiment structuring. This methodology aligns with findings from Forrester Research, which reports that companies leveraging VoC programs see customer retention rates increase by up to 55%. Lux notes: 'Hark transforms a brand's connection to its customers at pivotal moments. By modernizing the voice of the customer, brands foster loyalty and build lasting relationships.' A study from Gartner also supports that modernizing the voice of the customer fosters brand loyalty, revealing that organizations using VoC insights to drive strategy improve customer satisfaction scores by 25% on average and experience a 10-15% increase in revenue growth compared to competitors who do not. The trifecta of Pipe17, Corral Data, and Hark exemplifies the innovative spirit required to navigate today's increasingly competitive business environment, where profitability is paramount. By offering solutions that streamline operations, harness the power of data, and enhance customer engagement, these companies empower businesses to operate more efficiently and effectively – all while delivering exceptional customer experiences. As businesses continue to evolve, the integration of automation, data-driven insights, and VoC strategies will be key to long-term success. With the backing of research and expert endorsements, it's clear that leveraging these tools isn't just an option, but rather a necessity for brands looking to thrive in the modern marketplace.