IBM United States
Software Announcement 200-386
October 31, 2000

IBM WebSphere Commerce Suite, Start Edition for Linux, Version 4.1: The Complete e-commerce Solution for Your Web Site

ENUS200-386.PDF (30KB)

(Corrected on January 31, 2001)

Corrected Overview - TurboLinux 6.0 is planned for January 2001.

(Corrected on December 22, 2000)

Corrected Overview - support for Caldera 2.4 has been removed.

At a Glance

Tap into the vast Internet market and grow your business by creating an e-commerce site with WebSphere Commerce Suite (WCS), V4.1:

Implement a complete e-commerce solution, including catalog- and storefront-creation payment processing and fulfillment
Increase profitability:
- Reduce the cost of sales transactions
- Extend your reach, with business-to-business capability
- Attract and retain customers with easy-to-use advanced catalog tools
- Create a compelling shopping experience through customizable storefronts
Improve efficiency:
- Speed up set-up time with a store-creation wizard system
- Track shoppers' past purchasing activities for a more streamlined customer service

For ordering, contact:

Your IBM representative, an IBM Business Partner, or IBM Americas Call Centers at 800-IBM-CALL (Reference: YE001).

Overview

Make your products and services available to more than 100 million online shoppers with WebSphere™ Commerce Suite (WCS), Version 4.1, providing more function, power, flexibility, and scalability than Net.Commerce. Establish or enhance your current e-commerce Web site quickly, easily, and affordably.

Use WCS to:

Create an online store
Conduct business-to-business or business-to-consumer transactions
Ensure leading-edge secure online purchasing
Customize the look, feel, and flow of your site

The Start Edition features include:

Low-entry price
DB2 Universal Database^®
HTTP Server
WebSphere Application Server Advanced Edition
Support for RedHat 6.2

Support for SuSE 6.4, and TurboLinux 6.0 is planned for January 2001.

Additional WebSphere Commerce Suite LINUX^® products are planned to be available during 2001.

Key Prerequisites

Refer to the Technical Information section for details.

Availability Date

October 31, 2000

Description

WCS, Start Edition for Linux, V4.1 provides a wide range of easy-to-use features and functions for content management and order management, for total business transformation, integration, and growth. WCS supports a wide range of business models including business-to-consumer, business-to-business, and e-marketplaces.

Commerce sites built with WCS can easily integrate with internal and external systems and grow with the changing need of an e-business. WebSphere Commerce customers benefit from the functionality of the WebSphere family, which integrates Web commerce, Web server, Web application development, transaction processing, and distributed component software from IBM.

WCS consists of the following:

Server — manages the interface to the buyers, who can browse, save, query, and order items in the interactive catalog.
Commerce Studio — provides a powerful authoring and administration environment, allowing store personnel to design the buying process and create an interactive product catalog. It is not included with WSC for Linux, but is required for development purposes. Called WebSphere Commerce Studio Developer Edition for Windows NT™, V4.1, it is available on the Windows NT platform only and can be ordered separately.

WCS, V4.1 replaces Net.Commerce, V3.2 and provides leading-edge enhancements while retaining the capabilities of Net.Commerce.

Payment Manager is not included in the Linux Start version; however, payments can be made via CyberCash. Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) and Taxware support are not provided.

WCS offers:

Industry-leading e-commerce platform to assist customers in achieving advanced functionality
Enhanced business integration with support for XML messages

Industry-Leading E-commerce Platform

There are several enhancements that make WCS the industry's leading e-commerce product:

WCS is built on the industry-leading application server WebSphere Advanced Server, V3.
Java™ Server Page (JSP) enablement provides support for all catalog and product display. This enhancement takes a significant step in the evolution to a full Java environment.
HTTP Server is included.
Order notification lets merchants notify customers via e-mail to confirm an order.
X.509 certificate support allows automatic recognition and authentication of customers whose browsers are enabled with these certificates.

Business Integration

Several enhancements have been made to the business-to-business and business-management capabilities:

Batch user registration allows a single person to register up to tens of thousands of users in a single update rather than having to register them individually and also provides centralized control for access privileges and authorization levels.
Core business-to-business messages are provided in XML format so that the exchange of data using emerging industry standards can facilitate universal exchange of business information.
Order processing has been improved to enhance the customer experience. This includes a quick order capability that bypasses many current steps, orders based on previous orders, and processes regularly scheduled orders automatically.

Year 2000

This product is Year 2000 ready. When used in accordance with its associated documentation, it is capable of correctly processing, providing, and/or receiving date data within and between the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, provided that all products (for example, hardware, software, and firmware) used with the product properly exchange accurate date data with it.

The service end date for this Year-2000-ready product is December 31, 2001.

Trademarks

: WebSphere is a trademark of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States or other countries or both.
: DB2 Universal Database is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States or other countries or both.
: Windows NT is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
: Java is a trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc.
: LINUX is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.
: Other company, product, and service names may be trademarks or service marks of others.

Education Support

Education and Training: WCS, Version 4.1 Implementation

A WCS implementation course is planned to include the content of this announcement. It will provide the customer or Business Partner with the necessary skills to implement a fully-functional WCS system.

Graduates should be able to:

Describe the functions and components of WCS.
Install and configure the system.
Use the WCS administration tools to create a single storefront or multiple stores and administrators.

The course is intended for system integrators and administrators who want to install, configure, and manage a WCS system.

e-business Innovation Centers are available for proof-of-concept and technical WCS, V4.1 demonstrations. Contact your IBM representative for more information.

Call IBM Education and Training at 800-IBM-TEACH (426-8322) for catalogs, schedules, and enrollments.

Offering Information

Product information is available through Offering Information (OITOOL) at:

http://www.ibm.com/wwoi

Publications

The IBM publication WebSphere™ Commerce Suite Start Edition for LINUX^®, Version 4.1 Installation Guide (CT6BJNA) will be shipped with WCS for Linux, Version 4.1.

Displayable Softcopy Publications: WebSphere Commerce Suite, V4.1 Fundamentals (GC09-2994) is part of the product in PDF format on the CD-ROM. It can also be ordered from IBM.

An extensive online information system is also integrated into the product. Merchants can find conceptual, how-to, and reference information to help create virtual stores and perform advanced customization. The information can be accessed in the following ways:

Visiting a Web site on your own system, after you have installed the product
Viewing or printing PDF copies of the information
Clicking on Help in the WCS Administrator

Open Enterprise: WCS uses the following Internet open standards:

HyperText Markup Language (HTML)
Extensible Markup Language (XML)
HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP)
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)
Common Gateway Interface (CGI)
Java™

Technical Information

Hardware Requirements

Recommended Minimum — WCS Development

A Pentium™ (166 MHz or higher) IBM PC server or compatible
256 MB of RAM
520 MB of free disk space for program files
CD-ROM drive

Recommended Minimum — WCS Production Requirements: Production requirements will vary widely depending on many factors associated with the creation and use of your Web site. Contact your IBM representative to help determine your specific requirements.

Software Requirements

Red Hat Linux, V6.2 operating system
A standard Internet browser that supports Java 1.1, JavaScript, Cookies, and Frames (such as Netscape Communicator V4) for the WCS Administrator

Note: Programming skills are necessary for customization work.

Performance Considerations: Response time in an Internet environment depends on a variety of network and telecommunication factors, such as line speeds, local network constraints, and available processing capacity on the Web server and application server.

Planning Information

Customer Responsibilities: You should consider the installation, design, implementation, and maintenance of the WCS system. It is recommended strongly that IBM Global Services or Business Partners be used to assist in these activities, unless adequate in-house skills are available.

In order to implement a complete WCS system, you or a Business Partner should have the following skills:

Basic systems and network administration skills for Linux
An understanding of TCP/IP protocols including HTTP and SSL
Experience with a Web browser such as Netscape Navigator 4
Experience in administering a Web server such as the HTTP Server
Experience in creating Web content using HTML and Java
Understanding of relational database concepts
Ability to perform basic SQL queries
Programming skills for advanced customization

Direct Customer Support: Direct customer support is provided by Support Line. This fee service enhances customers' productivity by providing voice and electronic access into the IBM support organization. Support Line will help answer questions pertaining to usage and suspected software defects for eligible products.

In the U.S., the WCS Support Line is 800-237-5511.

Installation and technical support is provided by IBM Global Services. For more information call 800-IBM-4YOU (426-4968).

Packaging: WCS ships on CD-ROM media only.

The following are included:

WCS Installation Guide
WCS, V4.1 CD
WebSphere Application Server, Advanced Edition V3.0 CD
DB2 Universal Database^® Enterprise Edition 6.1 CD
DB2^® Net.Data^® 7.1 CD
Proof of Entitlement (PoE)
License Information
Read Me First booklet
International Program License Agreement (IPLA) booklet

Security, Auditability, and Control

WCS uses the security and auditability features of the Linux operating system. The SSL protocol, an Internet open standard, is used to encrypt communications between the Web browser and the Web server.

The customer is responsible for evaluation, selection, and implementation of security features, administrative procedures, and appropriate controls in application systems and communication facilities.

Ordering Information

The price of WCS is based on the number of processors in the system or node executing all or any part of the WCS application and on the number of merchants.

WCS, Start Edition for Linux, Version 4.1
 
Program                                           Part
Name                                              Number
 
Program package                                   20P4004
One additional processor                          20P4000
One additional merchant                           20P4002

WCS, Start Edition for Linux, V4.1 is available in English only with 128-bit encryption only.

Passport Advantage

WCS, Start Edition for Linux, Version 4.1
 
Program                                           Part
Name                                              Number
 
Media Package English                             BA7SENA
Documentation Package English                     BK7TCNA
CO Instl/SW Sub WebSphere Commerce                D47IFML
  Suite Start Processor 1 Anniv
CO Instl/SW Sub WebSphere Commerce                D47IGML
  Suite Start Processor 2 Anniv
CO Instl/SW Sub/Supt WebSphere Commerce           D47IJML
  Suite Start Processor 1 Anniv
CO Instl/SW Sub/Supt WebSphere Commerce           D47IKML
  Suite Start Processor 2 Anniv
CO Supt WebSphere Commerce Suite                  E17ITML
  Start Processor 1 Anniv
CO SW Sub Rnwl WebSphere Commerce                 E17IPML
  Suite Start Processor
CO SW Sub WebSphere Commerce Suite                D47IHML
  Start Processor 1 Anniv
CO SW Sub WebSphere Commerce Suite                D47IIML
  Start Processor 2 Anniv
CO SW Sub/Supt Rnwl WebSphere Commerce            E17IVML
  Suite Start Processor
CO SW Sub/Supt WebSphere Commerce                 D47IMML
  Suite Start Processor 1 Anniv
VPO Instl WebSphere Commerce Suite                D47I4ML
  Start Processor
VPO Instl/SW Sub WebSphere Commerce               D47I6ML
  Suite Start Processor 1 Anniv
VPO Instl/SW Sub WebSphere Commerce               D47I7ML
  Suite Start Processor 2 Anniv
VPO SW Sub Rnwl WebSphere Commerce                E17INML
  Suite Start Processor
VPO SW Sub WebSphere Commerce Suite               D47IDML
  Start Processor 1 Anniv
VPO SW Sub WebSphere Commerce Suite               D47IEML
  Start Processor 2 Anniv
CO Instl/SW Sub WebSphere Commerce                D46MCML
  Suite Start Merchant 1 Anniv
CO Instl/SW Sub WebSphere Commerce                D46MDML
  Suite Start Merchant 2 Anniv
CO SW Sub Rnwl WebSphere Commerce                 E16SBML
  Suite Start Merchant
CO SW Sub WebSphere Commerce Suite                D46MEML
  Start Merchant 1 Anniv
CO SW Sub WebSphere Commerce Suite                D46MFML
  Start Merchant 2 Anniv
VPO Instl WebSphere Commerce Suite                D46LHML
  Start Merchant
VPO Instl/SW Sub WebSphere Commerce               D46M5ML
  Suite Start Merchant 1 Anniv
VPO Instl/SW Sub WebSphere Commerce               D46M7ML
  Suite Start Merchant 2 Anniv
VPO SW Sub Rnwl WebSphere Commerce                E16SAML
  Suite Start Merchant
VPO SW Sub WebSphere Commerce Suite               D46MAML
  Start Merchant 1 Anniv
VPO SW Sub WebSphere Commerce Suite               D46MBML
  Start Merchant 2 Anniv

Terms and Conditions

Licensing: IPLA. PoE are required for all authorized use.

License Information Form Number: CT7E8ML

Limited Warranty: Yes

Program Services: Available until December 31, 2001

Money-Back Guarantee: Two-month, money-back guarantee

Copy and Use on Home/Portable Computer: No

Volume Orders (IVO): No

Passport Advantage Applies: Yes

Passport Advantage Subscription Applies: Yes

Support Line: Yes

AIX^®/UNIX^® Upgrade Protection Applies: No

Entitled Upgrade for Current AIX/UNIX Upgrade Protection Licensees: No

AS/400^® Software Subscription Applies: No

Variable Charges Apply: No

Prices

The prices provided in this announcement are suggested retail prices for the U.S. only and are provided for your information only. Dealer prices may vary, and prices may also vary by country. Prices are subject to change without notice. For additional information and current prices, contact your local IBM representative.

Program                            Part
Name                               Number         OTC(1)
 
Program package                    20P4004        $9,500
One additional processor           20P4000         9,000
One additional merchant            20P4002           500

¹: One-time charge

WCS, Start Edition for Linux, V4.1 is available in English only with 128-bit encryption only.

The price of WCS, Start Edition for Linux is based on the number of processors and the number of merchant sites in the system or node executing all or any part of the WCS program.

A merchant site is an independent store implemented as an instance of WCS with a unique URL and separate database, or as a store within an electronic mall sharing a URL and database with other merchants. A different language version of the same store is an additional merchant site.

Number of Processors: Each program package entitles the licensee to run WCS on one processor. In the case of a symmetric multiprocessor (SMP) system or node, the customer must acquire additional processor features that bring the total number of processor charges equal to the total number of processors executing all or any part of the WCS program.

Number of Merchants: Each WCS program package entitles the licensee to one merchant site. Additional merchant features must be acquired if more than one merchant site entitlement is required.

DB2, Staging, and Backup Servers: DB2 is included with WCS to be used exclusively with WCS. If it is used on its own hardware server then an additional license for WCS is required unless a DB2 license is purchased separately.

All WCS servers, including backup and staging servers that use the WCS program, require their own WCS license.

Passport Advantage: For Passport Advantage and charges, contact your Lotus^® representative or authorized Lotus Business Partner. Additional information is also available on the Passport Advantage Web site:

http://www.lotus.com/passportadvantage

Customer Financing: IBM Global Financing offers attractive financing to credit-qualified commercial and government customers and Business Partners in more than 40 countries. IBM Global Financing is provided by the IBM Credit Corporation in the United States. Offerings, rates, terms, and availability may vary by country. Contact your local IBM Global Financing organization. Country organizations are listed on the Web at:

http://www.financing.ibm.com

Order Now

 Use Priority/Reference Code: YE001
 
 Phone:     800-IBM-CALL
 Fax:       800-2IBM-FAX
 Internet:  ibm_direct@us.ibm.com
 Mail:      IBM Atlanta Sales Center
            Dept. YE001
            P.O. Box 2690
            Atlanta, GA  30301-2690

You can also contact your local IBM Business Partner or IBM representative. To identify them, call 800-IBM-4YOU.

Note: Shipments will begin after the planned availability date.