Modernization Without Disruption – How Emporix Enables Incremental Commerce Transformation
Many companies realize that a full rip-and-replace replatforming is not always the right move. Especially in enterprise commerce, legacy systems are deeply embedded, business-critical, and often highly customized. This is where the Strangler Fig Pattern offers a pragmatic alternative: modernize step by step, without replacing everything at once.
If you’re unfamiliar with the concept or want to dive deeper into the background, start here: Read the foundational article.
TL;DR
- Full replatforming is expensive and risky for complex legacy setups.
- The Strangler Fig Pattern allows for gradual modernization without disrupting the entire system.
- Emporix enables this with modular APIs for specific commerce functions. So-called single APIs.
- The Emporix Orchestration Engine connects new and legacy systems seamlessly—without heavy redevelopment.
- Businesses see fast improvements while keeping operations stable.
Building Block 1: Plug-In Commerce Functions via Modular APIs
You don’t need to modernize everything at once. Focus on what matters most. Emporix provides core commerce capabilities—like checkout, cart, and account - as standalone APIs.
These can be deployed exactly where traditional systems struggle:
- Checkout performance is too slow.
- Login processes expose security gaps.
- Cart functionality cannot be extended to support the new processes.
The benefit? Each API works independently of your broader platform. That means you can fix what matters without a massive replatforming effort.
| Approach | Full Replatforming | Strangler Fig Approach |
| Method | Entire platform is replaced in one large-scale project. | Incremental replacement of specific functions or processes, integrated into the existing system. |
| Timeline | Long project duration - often more than 6 months. | First results within weeks possible. |
| Risk | High – “Big Bang” go-live with potential downtime and system failures. | Low – existing systems remain operational, changes are isolated. |
| Cost | High investment, difficult to forecast. | Pay-as-you-grow: invest only in the areas that matter most. |
| Flexibility | Limited – the new platform must meet all requirements at once. | High – new functions can be added and adjusted independently. |
| Technical Effort | High development and migration workload, often with custom code. | Lower effort thanks to modular APIs and low-code/no-code process modeling. |
| Organizational Impact | Significant coordination and training effort across teams. | Manageable – existing teams can gradually adopt new functionality. |
Building Block 2: Orchestrate Processes Instead of Rewriting Code
Most challenges don’t just sit in the frontend—they’re hidden in the workflows that connect frontend, backend, and everything in between. That’s where the Emporix Orchestration Engine comes in.
It allows you to model, automate, and manage business processes across systems—without code or with minimal code. Common use cases include:
- PDF Order Capture: AI-powered recognition of incoming PDF orders, automatic data extraction, and handoff to ERP systems.
- Overstock Campaigns: Identify slow-moving inventory in the warehouse and trigger promotional campaigns automatically.
- Live Price & Inventory Checks: Real-time synchronization across ERP, storefront, and CRM systems.
The Orchestration Engine acts like a digital conductor—ensuring legacy and new systems work together without needing to rebuild core infrastructure.
Real-World Use Cases
1. Improving Checkout Performance
A manufacturer sees high drop-off rates during mobile checkout. Solution: The legacy checkout module is replaced with Emporix’s checkout API. Traffic is gradually redirected. Once stable, the old system is retired.
2. Automating the Returns Process
A distributor replaces manual email chains with a fully orchestrated workflow. Warehouse, customer service, and accounting systems are connected automatically—reducing delays and error rates.
3. Modern UX, Legacy Core
A retailer wants a modern frontend experience but isn’t ready to touch the backend. With Emporix, selected services are exposed via APIs and integrated, while the legacy system remains in place.
How to Get Started with Emporix
Here’s what an initial rollout typically looks like:
- Identify a pain point – e.g., slow checkout, inefficient returns, or onboarding bottlenecks.
- Select the right Emporix building block – an API or a process orchestration.
- Run in parallel – test and validate with limited exposure.
- Measure and expand – extend the approach to additional functions.
Conclusion
Emporix makes incremental modernization not just possible—but practical. You stay in control of your core systems, modernize what matters most, and gain agility fast. Without risk. Without disruption.
Start small. Improve what counts. Transform at your own pace. That’s the spirit of the Strangler Fig Pattern—and exactly what Emporix is built for.
