What about repay.me Architecture?
repay.me is an online marketplace that enables its users to buy and sell different goods. repay.me acts exclusively as an intermediary between buyers and sellers. Transport and storage of goods is the responsibility of the seller. That is why the repay.me platform is based on three pillars: marketplace, cashback and advertising. These three pillars, in turn, consist of a series of modules, which will be examined in more detail in the following subchapters.
Data Validation (content audit)
The successfully (into the repay.me format) transformed data is automated and additionally validated manually (on a random basis) to ensure that no invalid or prohibited information/products are entered into the marketplace.
Product Information Management System (PIM)
Data that has undergone the transformation and validation phase is combined in a Product Information Management System (PIM), in which all information on products and categories as well as price and availability information is stored centrally. The PIM defines a standardized structure of the product categories with a number of attributes that are assigned to each category (e. g. Google Product Catalog). Each attribute can contain a list of predefined values. A new attribute value can be added if required. For reasons of conformity, the PIM system defines a catalog structure that can be exported directly to the shop and remains synchronized with the product catalog of the shop. Every inventory change within the shop (order) is mapped in the MIS PIM system.
Search
The PIM is also used to create several search indexes for the catalogs. The generation is performed within the MIS for performance reasons. The indexes are then transferred to the shop's internal search system.
Messaging
As a mediator between sellers and buyers, it is an important task for repay. me to enable direct communication between users. For this purpose, a flexible messaging system was developed based on the ICS functionalities. This system is used to enable sellers and buyers to write messages and send files in the context of an order. In addition, the platform can also send (status) messages, such as that the order has been prepared. It is also possible to contact a seller directly to ask questions about a product.
The messaging system has been developed in such a flexible way that it can be used for other tasks in the next step. Among other things, it will be possible to use the system to submit comments and ratings on products.
Retailer Settings
In contrast to a normal e-commerce shop with only one retailer, a digital marketplace like repay.me includes several retailers. The numerous functions that ICS already offers a seller are available in the standard version via the so-called back office. repay.me will make these features available in the storefront so that all sellers of the platform can use them.In addition to product creation, it will be possible to create shipping profiles, manage orders and maintain merchant data such as bank information and contact address.
Moreover, the seller will be able to present himself/herself in the form of an information text, which can be viewed on the product page. The checkout process, terms and conditions and cancellation policy can also be set.