What is our primary use case?
As a developer using VTEX Commerce Platform, my main use case is building the front end application, adding features, and making changes to the UI. I also integrate internal VTEX modules in Node.js services or write custom APIs and back end APIs in Node.js apps in VTEX IO.
The most prominent use case is adding a new page or modifying the PDP page of the application. I have used VTEX FastStore, which is a front end solution where I can use Next.js, React.js, and other front end technologies to modify the application. I connected it with the GitHub repo, added new components, and integrated it with their official CMS for content management.
Another specific aspect is their proprietary database called Master Data, where they centralize all customer data in one hub and expose it via API and UI. Integrating with their Master Data, connecting with it, and working with it is also one of my use cases.
What is most valuable?
VTEX Commerce Platform stands out as a headless commerce platform that offers customizability and flexibility to add our own features. If I do not want their OMS platform or if I want to integrate any external OMS, third party APIs, or third party tools, it is easy for me to write my own API logic in their app, publish it, and communicate with it. This gives more flexibility.
The tech stack they use is the MERN stack, which I am most comfortable with. This flexibility has helped me communicate with third party tools. When I wanted to add my own API and write custom API logic to communicate with external providers, this flexibility enabled me to easily write my own Node.js app in VTEX IO, publish that app to my VTEX account, and call that app from the front end application directly.
Another feature is their own CMS, which I appreciate. They also give us the flexibility to integrate with other CMS solutions like the open source CMS Strapi. The CMS capabilities, the headless approach, and the flexibility to add new apps according to our needs are all valuable features.
What needs improvement?
Their documentation is comprehensive, but I noticed that the Commerce Academy course content was outdated and not enough for me to clear the certificate. However, their documentation and GitHub code samples were more comprehensive and helpful in understanding and upskilling in VTEX.
What stood out is the flexibility and the MERN stack tech stack that VTEX uses. This is why I gave it an eight. I did not give it a ten because during development, there were some performance issues with load times, and the Commerce Academy platform content and video content is not up to date. I had to refer to the documentation every time for the latest content.
Regarding VTEX Commerce Platform's AI capabilities, they have AI integrated in their admin interface where I can ask questions related to their settings. However, I do not find that useful because it was not working properly at times, it was not giving responses, or it was throwing errors. This made me stop using that AI. The AI integration is not capable enough or is not fully integrated and needs improvement.
For how long have I used the solution?
We have not completely integrated VTEX Commerce Platform into one of our clients yet, but we are in the process. Currently, my company is partnered with VTEX to learn more about the platform, and as part of that program, I was nominated and involved in learning. I have almost completed all of their certifications, four out of five, and we are about to migrate one of our existing commerce clients to use VTEX Commerce Platform.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
When it works, the accuracy and reliability are acceptable if I ask questions about the settings or about things. However, even when it works, I do not find the responses helpful.
What other advice do I have?
If you are familiar with the MERN stack technology and you want a commerce platform that provides customizability and the ability to add new features to your platform, then VTEX Commerce Platform is a good choice. It does require some time to go through documentation and experiment, but their documentation is comprehensive. They have their own developer portals and tutorials that help understand and experiment with features. Before choosing it, you can also have their sponsor account or test account and try out those features and then directly build the application there. I gave this review a rating of eight.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Private Cloud
If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
