Elastic Path Software: Taking Business Online for 2010
Publish Date: January 2010
To say that Elastic Path Inc. is a future-oriented company would be an understatement. The Vancouver-based software company develops innovative e-commerce solutions that allow businesses to create their online presence. And in an increasingly digital world, e-commerce certainly seems to be the future of business.
Elastic Path provides a flexible Java-based e-commerce platform, allowing retailers to create online stores which their internal IT teams can customize as changes occur in company infrastructure or further advancements in e-commerce make necessary. In fact, Elastic Path's sister subsidiary, EP Retail, is also managing the retailer role in their latest e-commerce outsourcing partnership – having won the VANOC contract to build the official online store that sells merchandise licensed for the 2010 Winter Games.
Speed and skill were put to the test as EP engineers had less than two months after receiving the contract to build a platform that would house the site and get it online. But VANOC officials were very impressed with the final outcome.
"Customers to vancouver2010.com can be assured of an easy, convenient online shopping experience and a growing line of quality products that will feature the elements - namely the emblems and mascots - that are quickly becoming iconic to the Games," said Dennis Kim, VANOC director of licensing and merchandising.
EP Retail now continues to oversee all aspects of this e-commerce initiative, from fulfillment and order management to customer support and running the store. In fact, as a result of their success in getting the VANOC online store live earlier than any other in Games history, EP Retail was also awarded another VANOC contract for building the accompanying Torch Relay Online Store.
And in an indirect way, these projects contribute to the legacy of the Games. The Vancouver 2010 online store – accessible 24/7 – offers a variety of Vancouver 2010-themed merchandise, ranging from caps to pens, t-shirts, mugs and mascot plush toys. Vancouver2010.com literally offers everyone a part of the Games and a tangible way to connect with this momentous event.
While enriching the memories and memorabilia collections of its customers, Elastic Path is also minimizing their carbon footprint.
"E-commerce is a greener form of retail," says Elastic Path's Marketing Coordinator Megan Sakakibara. "It doesn't have the same energy and transportation costs associated with traditional brick-and-mortar stores."
Even though Elastic Path has previous experience with big-name clients like Groupe Aeroplan Inc. and Avis Group Holdings Inc., Vice President of Marketing Matt Dion appreciates the significance of this Games-related opportunity in allowing the company to reach a truly international audience.
"E-commerce is a real hot space, even in this economy, and with something like the Olympics, it adds to that list of high-profile customers and gets our name out there even more," says Dion.
The experience that Elastic Path has gained in bidding on VANOC contracting opportunities has allowed for great growth at sister company EP Retail, and has now put them in a strong position to pursue other similar temporary sporting events, including future Olympic events says Sakakibara. Among the business benefits to working as a Licensee for VANOC, Sakakibara reports increased public awareness of their brand, as well as increased opportunities for future partnering. She urges other local companies to do the same, with a firm belief in the strength of Vancouver roots to push qualified bidding candidates to contracting success.
"If you have something of value for 2010, go for it. Even if you are a smaller company, there is certainly a good chance that you will succeed as a local Vancouver company."
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