The online purchasing system is the 21st century “shop window” of retail organizations. Therefore, it has to function perfectly, be reliable and stable, and even more important - it has to be user-friendly, aesthetic and inviting.

BACKGROUND

For the past 60 years, Blue Center has been one of the largest leading supermarket chains in Israel.

THE CHALLENGE

As a market leader, already from the beginning of 2000, the chain started developing its own electronic trade system. The challenge wasn’t easy - developing an internet system that would carry out the same process that everyone of us do while going to the supermarket - selecting the products from a big variety, arriving at the cash register, paying & transporting the products home.

THE SOLUTION

The solution that eWave built for Blue Center provides a Web-based shopping interface with a shopping catalog that presents thousands of products. Most items are displayed with a picture, which offers a quick and easy product recognition. Customers place the products they want into their online shopping cart. They check out, and, after paying, they can choose to save the contents of their cart for the next shopping trip, which saves time and simplifies the next time shopping experience. The system displays all sales promotions, and offers an easy product search function.
The system uses JAVA technology. The application server is based on BEA's WebLogic. The system is connected to Blue Center’s AS/400 computers. Catalog data is obtained from the supply system, and purchases are transferred into the ordering system. In fact, customer pu rchases are made by credit card, supported by the automated banking services company, Shva. In addition, customer addresses are checked by the eMap electronic mapping service to ensure that the customer is within the supermarket’s distribution area.
To assure maximum system availability, the system is installed on a cluster of servers. This cluster safeguards the system so that a server crash does not affect the customer’s web shopping experience.  In addition, most servers and hardware components are duplicated to prevent system bottlenecks. A variety of advanced information security methods are installed to prevent private and confidential customer detail or credit card number access or theft. Special procedures are also in place to prevent the use of unauthorized credit cards and the exploitation of the website for inappropriate use. 

THE RESULTS

Thousands of satisfied customers visit the website every week, saving time, reducing stress, and preventing unplanned shopping trips.
Individualized, well-packed grocery orders are delivered directly to thousands of households weekly, with minimal effort from the customer.

To view more of the system please click here.