This is how TCO helps to choose the most cost-effective e-commerce platform.
This is how TCO helps to choose the most cost-effective e-commerce platform.
When considering a new e-commerce platform, the decision-making is guided by the business needs, goals, and costs. In choosing an e-commerce solution, it is important to take into account total costs (Total Cost of Ownership, TCO), as platforms that initially appear inexpensive can become more costly. Many expenses, such as the use of integration partners, consulting services, add-ons (plugins), and marketing and development services, can significantly increase total costs and should be considered from the outset.
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26.10.2024
The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis is a crucial tool that helps understand the true costs of a platform and anticipate the expenses that will be incurred by the company during the first 3-5 years. When TCO is carefully evaluated, costly surprises are avoided and it is ensured that the e-commerce platform supports the long-term goals of the business.
What does TCO mean and what should it include?
TCO provides a realistic picture of the total costs of owning and maintaining an e-commerce platform, taking into account all direct and indirect expenses. These may include:
Initial investments and implementation: The first costs related to the platform selection, such as design, licensing, and installation.
Plugins and extensions: Add-ons that enhance the functionality of the platform or add new features to it. This includes procurement, maintenance, and update costs.
Maintenance costs: The ongoing maintenance of the platform, such as server and support costs.
Integrations and customizations: Connecting external systems, which may require customization.
Hosting and cloud services: The costs of server infrastructure and any scalability requirements.
User training and support services: Staff training and ongoing support needs.
Updates and version changes: The development and updates of the platform that require resources.
Data security and privacy: Maintaining data security updates and compliance with regulations.
System scalability: The ability to expand the system as the business grows without major additional investments.
Dependence on external suppliers: The need to use external partners, for example, in integrations.
Operating and functioning costs: Maintaining and repairing software and hardware.
Downtime and production interruptions: The costs caused by potential outages.
Costs of development work and innovations: Developing new functionalities to meet the needs of the business.
The items in the above list may vary depending on the functional needs of the company.
How does AI Commerce optimize TCO in the long run?
1. Ready-made functionalities without additional costs
The native functionalities offered by AI Commerce are available for new e-commerce businesses without separate costs. This generally covers over 95% of B2B and 99% of B2C customer needs during the implementation, including tools for international sales, customer-specific pricing, pricing rules, multi-stage order management, product bundles, GDPR, review tools, FAQ tools, quotation request functionalities and much more. This allows companies to focus on growing their business and improving customer experience, as the included functionalities reduce the need for additional development and ensure that the company can start trading and expand quickly without affecting the cost structure. Explore the functionalities here!
Freedom to choose the best tools on the market
The AI Commerce platform leverages composable commerce architecture, allowing you to add exactly the add-ons that best support your business without affecting the efficiency of the store. For example, choose the best search tools, AI solutions or headless CMS systems. Forget compromises between usability and performance. AI Commerce always guarantees full efficiency scores and under 100ms loading times. This modular structure allows you to customize your e-commerce entirely to your business needs.
3. Integrations and their maintenance included in the price
In AI Commerce, integrations, such as to ERP, PIM, and CRM systems, are handled without the need for external integration partners, saving both time and money. However, if desired, you can also use external integration partners, which is also possible. This freedom reduces risks and gives you full control over TCO. Read more here.
4. Scalable and adaptable infrastructure
The choice of platform is crucial for long-term cost-effectiveness. Solutions based on composable and headless architectures, like AI Commerce, are flexible and scalable as the business grows without major additional costs. This adaptability helps the company respond quickly to changes and reduces costs associated with additional development compared to closed monolithic platforms, which can be difficult and expensive to update.
5. Automated updates and continuous maintenance
Cloud-based architecture ensures that the system is always up to date without additional manual work. This reduces the risk of human errors and keeps maintenance costs in check. In addition to cost-effectiveness, continuous updates help the platform remain competitive and ensure that the company does not lag behind in the fast changes of the market.
6. Fixed monthly fee and predictable ROI
AI Commerce offers all expert services, integrations, support, and ongoing development at a fixed monthly price. This brings predictability to budgeting and ensures that there are no surprise costs. Fixed costs help assess the ROI of the platform choice, allowing the company to make decisions that maximize return and sustainably support business growth. A predictable cost structure also enables better long-term budgeting, as the company can prepare for future expenses without surprises.
7. Automation reduces manual labor
If seamless and customized integrations are not in place, personnel resources need to be tied up more in manual tasks, such as processing orders into the ERP system. AI Commerce enables custom integrations with your company's existing systems, significantly reducing personnel costs and allowing staff to focus on genuinely value-adding tasks.
8. Built-in search engine optimization (SEO)
Search engine optimization is a critical part of e-commerce visibility. AI Commerce includes technical SEO optimization built-in, ensuring high SEO results without separate investments in external services. AI Commerce guarantees full 100/100 points for technical search engine optimization, including all of Google's key metrics for technical SEO, i.e., efficiency, accessibility, best practices, and search engine optimization. Read more!
A concrete example of the importance of TCO analysis
One AI Commerce B2B client transitioned to the AI Commerce platform when their previous e-commerce solution required continuous reliance on external integration partners and a separate development partner.
After the platform renewal, the customer reported a 46% savings in annual development costs and a 38% faster time to market for new functionalities when all required functionalities and integrations were handled centrally by AI Commerce.
This allowed the e-commerce business to focus on developing the business and improving customer experience, while technical maintenance matters were handled centrally.
The benefits of predictability in the long run
AI Commerce's fixed pricing and comprehensive services facilitate budgeting and reduce risks, as all costs are transparent and pre-planned in one place. This enables strategic planning and resource allocation to value-generating tasks, such as conquering new markets or enhancing the customer experience.
Explore AI Commerce's functionalities in more detail here!
The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis is a crucial tool that helps understand the true costs of a platform and anticipate the expenses that will be incurred by the company during the first 3-5 years. When TCO is carefully evaluated, costly surprises are avoided and it is ensured that the e-commerce platform supports the long-term goals of the business.
What does TCO mean and what should it include?
TCO provides a realistic picture of the total costs of owning and maintaining an e-commerce platform, taking into account all direct and indirect expenses. These may include:
Initial investments and implementation: The first costs related to the platform selection, such as design, licensing, and installation.
Plugins and extensions: Add-ons that enhance the functionality of the platform or add new features to it. This includes procurement, maintenance, and update costs.
Maintenance costs: The ongoing maintenance of the platform, such as server and support costs.
Integrations and customizations: Connecting external systems, which may require customization.
Hosting and cloud services: The costs of server infrastructure and any scalability requirements.
User training and support services: Staff training and ongoing support needs.
Updates and version changes: The development and updates of the platform that require resources.
Data security and privacy: Maintaining data security updates and compliance with regulations.
System scalability: The ability to expand the system as the business grows without major additional investments.
Dependence on external suppliers: The need to use external partners, for example, in integrations.
Operating and functioning costs: Maintaining and repairing software and hardware.
Downtime and production interruptions: The costs caused by potential outages.
Costs of development work and innovations: Developing new functionalities to meet the needs of the business.
The items in the above list may vary depending on the functional needs of the company.
How does AI Commerce optimize TCO in the long run?
1. Ready-made functionalities without additional costs
The native functionalities offered by AI Commerce are available for new e-commerce businesses without separate costs. This generally covers over 95% of B2B and 99% of B2C customer needs during the implementation, including tools for international sales, customer-specific pricing, pricing rules, multi-stage order management, product bundles, GDPR, review tools, FAQ tools, quotation request functionalities and much more. This allows companies to focus on growing their business and improving customer experience, as the included functionalities reduce the need for additional development and ensure that the company can start trading and expand quickly without affecting the cost structure. Explore the functionalities here!
Freedom to choose the best tools on the market
The AI Commerce platform leverages composable commerce architecture, allowing you to add exactly the add-ons that best support your business without affecting the efficiency of the store. For example, choose the best search tools, AI solutions or headless CMS systems. Forget compromises between usability and performance. AI Commerce always guarantees full efficiency scores and under 100ms loading times. This modular structure allows you to customize your e-commerce entirely to your business needs.
3. Integrations and their maintenance included in the price
In AI Commerce, integrations, such as to ERP, PIM, and CRM systems, are handled without the need for external integration partners, saving both time and money. However, if desired, you can also use external integration partners, which is also possible. This freedom reduces risks and gives you full control over TCO. Read more here.
4. Scalable and adaptable infrastructure
The choice of platform is crucial for long-term cost-effectiveness. Solutions based on composable and headless architectures, like AI Commerce, are flexible and scalable as the business grows without major additional costs. This adaptability helps the company respond quickly to changes and reduces costs associated with additional development compared to closed monolithic platforms, which can be difficult and expensive to update.
5. Automated updates and continuous maintenance
Cloud-based architecture ensures that the system is always up to date without additional manual work. This reduces the risk of human errors and keeps maintenance costs in check. In addition to cost-effectiveness, continuous updates help the platform remain competitive and ensure that the company does not lag behind in the fast changes of the market.
6. Fixed monthly fee and predictable ROI
AI Commerce offers all expert services, integrations, support, and ongoing development at a fixed monthly price. This brings predictability to budgeting and ensures that there are no surprise costs. Fixed costs help assess the ROI of the platform choice, allowing the company to make decisions that maximize return and sustainably support business growth. A predictable cost structure also enables better long-term budgeting, as the company can prepare for future expenses without surprises.
7. Automation reduces manual labor
If seamless and customized integrations are not in place, personnel resources need to be tied up more in manual tasks, such as processing orders into the ERP system. AI Commerce enables custom integrations with your company's existing systems, significantly reducing personnel costs and allowing staff to focus on genuinely value-adding tasks.
8. Built-in search engine optimization (SEO)
Search engine optimization is a critical part of e-commerce visibility. AI Commerce includes technical SEO optimization built-in, ensuring high SEO results without separate investments in external services. AI Commerce guarantees full 100/100 points for technical search engine optimization, including all of Google's key metrics for technical SEO, i.e., efficiency, accessibility, best practices, and search engine optimization. Read more!
A concrete example of the importance of TCO analysis
One AI Commerce B2B client transitioned to the AI Commerce platform when their previous e-commerce solution required continuous reliance on external integration partners and a separate development partner.
After the platform renewal, the customer reported a 46% savings in annual development costs and a 38% faster time to market for new functionalities when all required functionalities and integrations were handled centrally by AI Commerce.
This allowed the e-commerce business to focus on developing the business and improving customer experience, while technical maintenance matters were handled centrally.
The benefits of predictability in the long run
AI Commerce's fixed pricing and comprehensive services facilitate budgeting and reduce risks, as all costs are transparent and pre-planned in one place. This enables strategic planning and resource allocation to value-generating tasks, such as conquering new markets or enhancing the customer experience.
Explore AI Commerce's functionalities in more detail here!
The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis is a crucial tool that helps understand the true costs of a platform and anticipate the expenses that will be incurred by the company during the first 3-5 years. When TCO is carefully evaluated, costly surprises are avoided and it is ensured that the e-commerce platform supports the long-term goals of the business.
What does TCO mean and what should it include?
TCO provides a realistic picture of the total costs of owning and maintaining an e-commerce platform, taking into account all direct and indirect expenses. These may include:
Initial investments and implementation: The first costs related to the platform selection, such as design, licensing, and installation.
Plugins and extensions: Add-ons that enhance the functionality of the platform or add new features to it. This includes procurement, maintenance, and update costs.
Maintenance costs: The ongoing maintenance of the platform, such as server and support costs.
Integrations and customizations: Connecting external systems, which may require customization.
Hosting and cloud services: The costs of server infrastructure and any scalability requirements.
User training and support services: Staff training and ongoing support needs.
Updates and version changes: The development and updates of the platform that require resources.
Data security and privacy: Maintaining data security updates and compliance with regulations.
System scalability: The ability to expand the system as the business grows without major additional investments.
Dependence on external suppliers: The need to use external partners, for example, in integrations.
Operating and functioning costs: Maintaining and repairing software and hardware.
Downtime and production interruptions: The costs caused by potential outages.
Costs of development work and innovations: Developing new functionalities to meet the needs of the business.
The items in the above list may vary depending on the functional needs of the company.
How does AI Commerce optimize TCO in the long run?
1. Ready-made functionalities without additional costs
The native functionalities offered by AI Commerce are available for new e-commerce businesses without separate costs. This generally covers over 95% of B2B and 99% of B2C customer needs during the implementation, including tools for international sales, customer-specific pricing, pricing rules, multi-stage order management, product bundles, GDPR, review tools, FAQ tools, quotation request functionalities and much more. This allows companies to focus on growing their business and improving customer experience, as the included functionalities reduce the need for additional development and ensure that the company can start trading and expand quickly without affecting the cost structure. Explore the functionalities here!
Freedom to choose the best tools on the market
The AI Commerce platform leverages composable commerce architecture, allowing you to add exactly the add-ons that best support your business without affecting the efficiency of the store. For example, choose the best search tools, AI solutions or headless CMS systems. Forget compromises between usability and performance. AI Commerce always guarantees full efficiency scores and under 100ms loading times. This modular structure allows you to customize your e-commerce entirely to your business needs.
3. Integrations and their maintenance included in the price
In AI Commerce, integrations, such as to ERP, PIM, and CRM systems, are handled without the need for external integration partners, saving both time and money. However, if desired, you can also use external integration partners, which is also possible. This freedom reduces risks and gives you full control over TCO. Read more here.
4. Scalable and adaptable infrastructure
The choice of platform is crucial for long-term cost-effectiveness. Solutions based on composable and headless architectures, like AI Commerce, are flexible and scalable as the business grows without major additional costs. This adaptability helps the company respond quickly to changes and reduces costs associated with additional development compared to closed monolithic platforms, which can be difficult and expensive to update.
5. Automated updates and continuous maintenance
Cloud-based architecture ensures that the system is always up to date without additional manual work. This reduces the risk of human errors and keeps maintenance costs in check. In addition to cost-effectiveness, continuous updates help the platform remain competitive and ensure that the company does not lag behind in the fast changes of the market.
6. Fixed monthly fee and predictable ROI
AI Commerce offers all expert services, integrations, support, and ongoing development at a fixed monthly price. This brings predictability to budgeting and ensures that there are no surprise costs. Fixed costs help assess the ROI of the platform choice, allowing the company to make decisions that maximize return and sustainably support business growth. A predictable cost structure also enables better long-term budgeting, as the company can prepare for future expenses without surprises.
7. Automation reduces manual labor
If seamless and customized integrations are not in place, personnel resources need to be tied up more in manual tasks, such as processing orders into the ERP system. AI Commerce enables custom integrations with your company's existing systems, significantly reducing personnel costs and allowing staff to focus on genuinely value-adding tasks.
8. Built-in search engine optimization (SEO)
Search engine optimization is a critical part of e-commerce visibility. AI Commerce includes technical SEO optimization built-in, ensuring high SEO results without separate investments in external services. AI Commerce guarantees full 100/100 points for technical search engine optimization, including all of Google's key metrics for technical SEO, i.e., efficiency, accessibility, best practices, and search engine optimization. Read more!
A concrete example of the importance of TCO analysis
One AI Commerce B2B client transitioned to the AI Commerce platform when their previous e-commerce solution required continuous reliance on external integration partners and a separate development partner.
After the platform renewal, the customer reported a 46% savings in annual development costs and a 38% faster time to market for new functionalities when all required functionalities and integrations were handled centrally by AI Commerce.
This allowed the e-commerce business to focus on developing the business and improving customer experience, while technical maintenance matters were handled centrally.
The benefits of predictability in the long run
AI Commerce's fixed pricing and comprehensive services facilitate budgeting and reduce risks, as all costs are transparent and pre-planned in one place. This enables strategic planning and resource allocation to value-generating tasks, such as conquering new markets or enhancing the customer experience.
Explore AI Commerce's functionalities in more detail here!
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is AI Commerce and how does it work?
Where does the name AI Commerce come from?
What kind of company is AI Commerce suitable for?
How long are the contracts?
What kind of pricing models are available?
Can I change my order later?
Are there any separate setup costs involved in the implementation of AI Commerce?
With whom can I develop my online store?
I am considering moving to AI Commerce. How can I transfer my information?
Is technical support or guidance available to the user?
Is the software cloud-based?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is AI Commerce and how does it work?
Where does the name AI Commerce come from?
What kind of company is AI Commerce suitable for?
How long are the contracts?
What kind of pricing models are available?
Can I change my order later?
Are there any separate setup costs involved in the implementation of AI Commerce?
With whom can I develop my online store?
I am considering moving to AI Commerce. How can I transfer my information?
Is technical support or guidance available to the user?
Is the software cloud-based?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is AI Commerce and how does it work?
Where does the name AI Commerce come from?
What kind of company is AI Commerce suitable for?
How long are the contracts?
What kind of pricing models are available?
Can I change my order later?
Are there any separate setup costs involved in the implementation of AI Commerce?
With whom can I develop my online store?
I am considering moving to AI Commerce. How can I transfer my information?
Is technical support or guidance available to the user?
Is the software cloud-based?
Future-proof eCommerce built in the EU
Our solution is developed and hosted in the EU, fully compliant with GDPR and other regulatory requirements. Gain peace of mind with secure data handling, reliable support, and a transparent European partner.
© 2025 AI Commerce. All rights reserved.
Future-proof eCommerce built in the EU
Our solution is developed and hosted in the EU, fully compliant with GDPR and other regulatory requirements. Gain peace of mind with secure data handling, reliable support, and a transparent European partner.
© 2025 AI Commerce. All rights reserved.
Future-proof eCommerce built in the EU
Our solution is developed and hosted in the EU, fully compliant with GDPR and other regulatory requirements. Gain peace of mind with secure data handling, reliable support, and a transparent European partner.
© 2025 AI Commerce. All rights reserved.