Operational roles

WebSphere Commerce supports the following operational roles:

The following table describes each role and the business model(s) each role can work within.

Role Description Business model(s)
SellerThe Seller supervises the overall store objectives and management, in addition to tracking  store sales. The Seller is also responsible for store wide functions such as defining shipping charges, and opening and closing the store.  The Seller role is equivalent to a merchant in the consumer direct model, a manufacturer in the B2B direct model, and a distributor or other owner in the Reseller Hub. The Seller has access to all WebSphere Commerce Accelerator capabilities.
  • Consumer direct
  • Business Edition onlyB2B direct
  • Business Edition onlyDemand chain
  • Business Edition onlyHosting
  • Business Edition onlySupply chain 
Business Edition onlyLogistics ManagerThe Logistics Manager, sometimes called the Shipping Manager, manages and negotiates bulk freight/shipping from carriers to warehouse, and to individual customers. 
  • Business Edition onlyB2B direct
  • Business Edition onlySupply chain 
Operations ManagerThis role manages order processing, ensuring that orders are properly fulfilled, payment is received, and orders are shipped. The Operations Manager can search for customer orders, view details, manage order information, and create and edit returns. For the reseller and hosting models, this role is responsible for customer service, and oversees customer service in the other models.
  • Consumer direct
  • Business Edition onlyDemand chain 
  • Business Edition onlyHosting
ReceiverThe Receiver receives inventory at the fulfillment center, tracks expected inventory records and ad hoc receipts for ordered products, and receives returned products as a result of customer returns. 
  • Consumer direct
  • Business Edition onlyB2B direct
Returns AdministratorThe Returns Administrator manages the disposition of returned products. 
  • Consumer direct
  • Business Edition onlyB2B direct
Pick PackerThe Pick Packer picks products from fulfillment centers and packs the products for shipping to customers. The Pick Packer also manages pick tickets and packing slips which are used to confirm shipment of products during order fulfillment. 
  • Consumer direct
  • Business Edition onlyB2B direct

For information on the stores within the business models that each role can perform in, see the WebSphere Commerce Security Guide.