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Large ecommerce systems can typically be grouped into 3 types of business applications
in terms of types of users and business functionality. Not all layers of business
applications will be part of initial implementation. The architecture, however, should
support the full-blown expansion of initial system to all types of business applications.
An ecommerce system for product distribution, that supports wholesellers, resellers and
end users, is a typical system with 3 layers of business applications.
End-User Layer Applications in
this group are intended for consumers or end-users. Online storefront is a typical
end-user layer ecommerce application.
Admin Layer Large ecommerce systems serves many
types of consumers or market segments. The system usually provides tools for managing
the user groups and market segments. The users of admin layer could be clients,
authorized agents or internal employees. The management of storefront, such as adding,
editing, and deleting a product item, is a common admin layer application.
Service Layer This layer supports and manages
the admin layer. It should be exclusively designed for authorized internal employees.
Creation of an admin user is an example of service layer function.
Related Topics
Criteria of Evaluating Architecture Options for Web-based applications
3 Tier Architecture
3 Options of Code Sharing - enterprise option, network option and hybrid option
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