composable commerce Archives

Live from Ecom Forum: iPaaS Transforms E-commerce Data Integration for Growing Businesses with Dave Malda

October 28, 2025October 24, 2025 Brent W. Peterson

In this episode of Talk Commerce, host Brent Peterson sits down with Dave Malda, a data integration expert from iPaaS.com, at the Ecom Forum in Minnesota. The conversation explores how integration platforms are becoming essential infrastructure for e-commerce businesses. Dave breaks down the technical aspects of iPaaS technology and explains why modern online retailers can’t afford to operate without proper data integration systems. This episode provides valuable insights for business owners looking to scale their operations and eliminate manual data entry bottlenecks.

Key Takeaways

Integration platforms as a service (iPaaS) serve as middleware that sits in the cloud and moves data between different business systems automatically
The hub-and-spoke architecture differs from traditional point-to-point connectors, making it easier to scale integrations across multiple platforms
Businesses processing more than 250 orders per month typically start experiencing pain points that require automated integration solutions
Manual data entry creates delays in customer communications and increases the risk of errors when staff members are unavailable
Retail businesses can capture in-store customer data and push it to marketing platforms like Klaviyo to enable ongoing customer engagement
The shift toward headless and composable commerce makes iPaaS systems imperative for modern e-commerce operations
Organizations with three or more systems to integrate represent the sweet spot for iPaaS solutions

About Dave Malda

Dave brings extensive experience in e-commerce integration and data management to his role at iPaaS.com. Based in Canada, he works with businesses across North America to implement integration solutions that eliminate manual processes and enable growth. His expertise lies in helping organizations understand how middleware technology can transform their operations by connecting various systems including e-commerce platforms, ERPs, point-of-sale systems, and marketing automation tools. Dave’s approach focuses on practical implementations that deliver immediate value while providing the flexibility to scale as businesses grow.

Episode Summary

The conversation begins with Dave explaining what iPaaS actually means for business owners who might not be familiar with the acronym. He describes it as an integration platform as a service that functions as middleware sitting in the cloud. The primary function involves moving data back and forth between different business systems without manual intervention.

Dave uses a common e-commerce scenario to illustrate the concept. “A very popular use case in the e-commerce space is say Shopware or Big Commerce or Shopify orders into NetSuite or Dynamics 365,” he explains. The system eliminates manual entry of order data by automating the entire process. This simple example represents one of the most requested integrations in the e-commerce world.

What sets iPaaS.com apart from competitors involves the underlying architecture. Dave describes it as a hub-and-spoke system rather than traditional point-to-point connections. Data flows into a central hub where it becomes accessible to any connected integration or spoke. This design makes it significantly easier to dial integrations up or down as business needs change.

Brent draws an analogy to help clarify the concept, describing iPaaS as central plumbing for data. It provides CTOs and technical leaders with a control center where they can manage how data moves throughout their entire technology stack. The platform handles webhooks, data pulls, and pushes between systems, functioning as an appliance that ensures everything communicates properly.

The conversation shifts to customer experience and why integration matters beyond just internal efficiency. Dave points out two critical moments in every online purchase. “The first thing I look for is that email, okay, the purchase has been made, congratulations. The second thing I look for is where’s my tracking number, right?” When these communications rely on manual processes, delays become inevitable. Staff absences due to illness or vacation can create gaps where orders go unprocessed or customers don’t receive timely updates.

Dave identifies a specific threshold where businesses typically recognize the need for integration platforms. Organizations processing more than 250 orders per month start feeling the pain of manual data entry. While this volume isn’t massive, it’s substantial enough that manual processes become unsustainable. At this point, iPaaS solutions deliver immediate return on investment by eliminating bottlenecks and reducing errors.

Beyond order processing, Dave introduces another valuable use case that many retailers overlook. Brick-and-mortar stores collect customer information at checkout, but without proper integration, that data remains trapped in the point-of-sale system. “You have people coming in, buying a Tilly hat, buying a Hawaiian shirt, and they walk out the door and you may never speak to them again,” Dave notes. By integrating POS systems like NCR Counterpoint with marketing platforms like Klaviyo, retailers can capture customer emails and phone numbers, then segment and target those customers with relevant campaigns throughout the year.

Brent emphasizes how the evolution toward headless commerce and composable architecture has made iPaaS technology imperative rather than optional. Modern SaaS platforms often lack built-in customization options for integrations. E-commerce owners need external integration platforms to ensure their various systems work together seamlessly. This represents a fundamental shift from how e-commerce operated even five to ten years ago.

Dave reflects on how integration approaches have evolved over the past decade. Previously, businesses built custom in-house integrations, created elaborate spreadsheet workflows, or relied on manual import and export processes. While these methods technically work, they put companies at a significant disadvantage. The modern approach involves evaluating available platforms, selecting one that fits specific business needs, ensuring cost-effectiveness, and choosing solutions that scale as the business grows.

The discussion touches on competitive landscape and market positioning. Dave acknowledges that numerous players exist in the integration space, many of whom excel at what they do. However, iPaaS.com’s sweet spot involves businesses needing to connect three, four, five, or eight different systems rather than just two endpoints. “When it’s Shopify to NetSuite to Pymcor to, you know, add in the system, that’s where we really shine,” Dave explains. Organizations with complex technology stacks benefit most from the hub-and-spoke architecture that iPaaS.com provides.

Brent mentions that lower-cost entry points exist in the integration market, making it accessible for smaller businesses to begin automating workflows. This democratization of integration technology means companies don’t need massive budgets to start benefiting from automation. Getting early experience with integration platforms prepares businesses for future growth and more complex integration needs.

The conversation wraps up with Dave providing multiple channels for reaching him. He maintains an active presence on LinkedIn and X, and he’s available via email at dave.malda@ipaas.com. This multi-channel accessibility reflects the modern business approach of meeting customers where they’re most comfortable communicating.

Final Thoughts

Integration platforms have moved from nice-to-have technology to essential infrastructure for e-commerce businesses. The shift toward composable commerce architectures means that companies must think strategically about how their various systems communicate. Manual processes create bottlenecks that limit growth and damage customer experience through delayed communications. Organizations processing significant order volumes need automated solutions that ensure data flows seamlessly between e-commerce platforms, ERPs, marketing tools, and other business systems. Dave Malda from iPaaS.com demonstrates that the right integration platform doesn’t just connect systems—it passes data through the organization with precision and reliability.

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Transforming Enterprise Web Performance Through Edge Computing and AI with Drew Chambers

June 10, 2025 Brent W. Peterson

In this episode of Talk Commerce, host Brent Peterson sits down with Drew Chambers, EVP of Marketing at Harper, to explore the intersection of edge computing, AI, and enterprise web performance. Drew discusses how businesses can leverage modern technologies to create faster, more personalized customer experiences.

Key Takeaways

Page speed directly impacts revenue – Amazon reports 100ms of latency costs 1% in sales
Mobile-first optimization is crucial for modern web performance
AI’s role extends beyond content generation to pattern recognition and performance optimization
Edge computing enables personalized experiences with minimal latency
Composable architecture requires strategic implementation rather than wholesale adoption

About Drew Chambers

Drew Chambers serves as the Executive Vice President of Marketing at Harper, effectively operating as the company’s CMO. Based in Denver, Colorado, Drew brings extensive experience in enterprise platform technology and marketing strategy. At Harper, he focuses on helping large enterprise customers optimize their application and web performance through platform-as-a-service solutions.

Detailed Episode Summary

The conversation begins with Drew explaining Harper’s position as a platform technology company serving enterprise customers. He emphasizes their focus on technical SEO, conversion rate optimization, and global application scaling.

The discussion shifts to web performance, where Drew highlights the critical nature of page load speeds. He explains how technical SEO factors like Core Web Vitals have become fundamental requirements for online success. The conversation reveals how complex technology stacks can introduce latency issues that impact both user experience and search engine rankings.

Drew provides valuable insights into AI’s role in web performance optimization, noting that while many focus on generative AI, the technology’s true power lies in identifying patterns and problems within code bases and tech stacks. He discusses how AI tools can help marketing teams optimize their content and avoid common pitfalls that slow down websites.

Personal Commentary and Analysis

The episode effectively illuminates the evolving landscape of enterprise web architecture. Drew’s practical approach to composable commerce is particularly refreshing, advocating for targeted improvements rather than wholesale transformations. His insights into edge computing and AI-driven personalization present a compelling vision for the future of ecommerce.

Memorable Quotes

“Amazon has said that every 100 milliseconds of latency is about 1% of total sales for them.” – Drew Chambers

“Composable commerce isn’t a religion… it’s an architectural choice.” – Referenced industry perspective

Final Thoughts

The convergence of edge computing, AI, and enterprise web performance represents a significant opportunity for businesses to enhance their digital presence. As Drew suggests, the future lies in strategic implementation of these technologies to create faster, more personalized user experiences.

Listen to more conversations about website optimization here

Personalized Checkout with Peter Karpas of Bold Commerce

December 23, 2024August 6, 2024 Brent W. Peterson

Explore the insights from a captivating episode of the Talk Commerce podcast, featuring Peter Karpas, the CEO of Bold Commerce. The conversation centers around the often-overlooked yet critical aspect of e-commerce: the checkout experience. Karpas, with his extensive background in payments and e-commerce, sheds light on the limitations of traditional checkout processes and unveils the potential of personalized checkout flows to revolutionize online businesses.

Key Takeaways

Checkout is more than just conversion: While conversion rates are important, merchants often overlook the crucial role checkout plays in driving average order value (AOV) and lifetime value (LTV).
Personalization is paramount: Just as every other aspect of an e-commerce site is personalized, the checkout experience should be tailored to individual customer needs and behaviors.
Rigid and brittle checkout flows are hindering growth: Many platforms offer limited customization options for checkout, leading to a fear of experimentation and missed opportunities for optimization.
Composable commerce offers a solution: Bold Commerce offers a composable checkout solution that allows merchants to break free from rigid platform limitations and create truly personalized experiences.
A/B testing in checkout is crucial: Merchants need to embrace A/B testing in their checkout process to uncover hidden opportunities for increasing AOV and LTV.
The checkout experience impacts the entire customer journey: A seamless and personalized checkout experience can foster customer loyalty and drive repeat business.

About the Guest: Peter Karpas

Peter Karpas is the CEO of Bold Commerce, a company that provides innovative checkout solutions for e-commerce businesses. His wealth of experience in the payments industry, having previously held leadership roles at PayPal and First Data, provides him with a unique perspective on the evolution of online transactions. Karpas is a passionate advocate for leveraging technology to create frictionless and personalized customer experiences. He is a frequent speaker at industry events, sharing his insights on the future of e-commerce and the transformative power of composable commerce.

Detailed Episode Summary

The podcast episode kicks off with a lighthearted exchange about sports, showcasing Karpas’s approachable demeanor and genuine enthusiasm. The conversation quickly transitions to the heart of the matter: the challenges and opportunities within the e-commerce checkout landscape.

Karpas highlights the limitations of traditional checkout processes, emphasizing their rigidity and lack of personalization. He argues that merchants are often afraid to make changes to their checkout flows due to concerns about potential disruptions and negative impacts on conversion rates. However, he contends that this fear of experimentation is preventing businesses from unlocking the full potential of their checkout experience.

To illustrate his point, Karpas shares a compelling anecdote about a brand that experienced an unexpected increase in revenue after temporarily disabling Apple Pay due to a technical issue. This counterintuitive outcome stemmed from a subsequent rise in average order value, demonstrating the interconnectedness of conversion, AOV, and LTV.

The discussion then delves into the concept of personalized checkout flows, with Karpas explaining how tailoring the checkout experience to individual customers based on factors such as cart value, purchase history, and location can significantly impact key metrics. He advocates for a more dynamic approach, where merchants can create multiple checkout flows optimized for different customer segments.

Karpas introduces Bold Commerce as a solution to these challenges, positioning the company as a leading provider of composable checkout solutions. He explains how Bold’s platform empowers merchants to break free from the constraints of rigid platform checkouts and embrace a more modular and customizable approach. This allows businesses to integrate seamlessly with various third-party services and create truly personalized checkout experiences.

The conversation touches upon the importance of A/B testing in checkout, with Karpas stressing the need for data-driven decision-making to optimize the customer journey. He emphasizes the benefits of experimenting with different elements within the checkout flow, such as the placement of upsell offers, shipping options, and payment methods, to identify the most effective strategies for maximizing AOV and LTV.

Finally, Karpas shares his predictions for the future of e-commerce, highlighting the growing momentum of composable commerce and the transformative potential of AI-powered tools. He concludes by encouraging merchants to embrace innovation and challenge the status quo to create exceptional checkout experiences that drive business growth.

Personal Commentary and Analysis

This podcast episode provides a valuable perspective on the evolving landscape of e-commerce checkout. Karpas’s insights challenge conventional wisdom and encourage merchants to rethink their approach to this critical aspect of the customer journey. The emphasis on personalization and A/B testing resonates strongly with the broader trend towards data-driven decision-making in e-commerce.

The concept of composable commerce, as embodied by Bold Commerce’s solutions, offers a compelling alternative to the limitations of traditional platform checkouts. This modular approach empowers businesses to create highly customized experiences that align with their specific needs and objectives.

As the e-commerce landscape continues to evolve, the ability to personalize the checkout experience will become increasingly crucial for businesses seeking to differentiate themselves and foster customer loyalty. This episode serves as a timely reminder that the checkout process is not merely a transactional endpoint but rather an integral part of the overall customer journey that deserves careful consideration and optimization.

Memorable Quotes

“The checkout power trio is conversion, average order value, and lifetime value. And those are three interconnected dials. And when you turn one, it impacts the other two.” This quote underscores the holistic nature of the checkout experience and the need to consider all three metrics in optimization efforts.
“Everybody has been in some ways brainwashed into thinking that checkout is all about conversion. When it’s not.” This provocative statement challenges the prevailing focus on conversion rates and encourages a broader perspective on the role of checkout.
“Don’t have learned helplessness. You need to know that it is possible. It is doable. It is doable in weeks and months, not quarters and years.” This empowering message reminds merchants that they can take control of their checkout experience and implement meaningful changes without significant disruption.

Engaging the Audience

If you’re interested in learning more about the power of personalized checkout and how Bold Commerce can help your business thrive, we encourage you to listen to the full podcast episode. You can find the Talk Commerce podcast on all major podcast platforms. Subscribe to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and insights in e-commerce!

Final Thoughts

This insightful podcast episode with Peter Karpas underscores the importance of a strategic and personalized approach to the checkout experience. By embracing innovation and challenging conventional wisdom, merchants can unlock significant opportunities to enhance customer satisfaction, drive sales, and ultimately boldly reshape the future of e-commerce.

e-commerce, checkout, personalization, Bold Commerce, Peter Karpas, composable commerce, A/B testing, average order value, lifetime value, customer experience

The Future of Omnichannel Commerce: Insights from Fabric CEO Mike Micucci

March 29, 2024March 19, 2024 Brent W. Peterson

I recently had the pleasure of hosting Mike Micucci, CEO of Fabric Commerce, on the Talk Commerce podcast. With his deep experience in ecommerce, including leadership roles at Salesforce Commerce Cloud, Mike shared fascinating insights into how composable commerce and AI are revolutionizing the omnichannel retail experience. In this post, I’ll highlight some of the key takeaways from our conversation.

The Power of Composable Commerce

Mike explained that composable commerce provides retailers the flexibility to build the experiences they want while still benefiting from a unified backend platform. Fabric’s composable platform allows retailers to seamlessly manage the full commerce lifecycle, from merchandising to order fulfillment.

As Mike put it, “Commerce doesn’t stop at checkout. It’s just getting started.” I couldn’t agree more. Composable commerce empowers brands to craft unique customer journeys that extend beyond the buy button.

Accelerating Omnichannel with Fabric

For retailers looking to enhance their omnichannel capabilities, Mike outlined two key approaches with Fabric’s platform:

Incrementally add discrete services like real-time inventory or advanced promotions to their existing tech stack
Implement a comprehensive omnichannel solution by leveraging Fabric’s pre-built “primitives” – mini-apps that accelerate time-to-market and reduce complexity

Having seen many retailers struggle with siloed systems and inconsistent experiences, I’m excited by Fabric’s vision for a unified omnichannel platform. It’s a game-changer.

The Transformative Power of AI

Mike and I also discussed the transformative potential of AI in commerce. While many retailers have adopted basic machine learning for product recommendations, Mike envisions AI driving significant operational improvements.

By harnessing data across merchandising, fulfillment, and returns, AI can enable dynamic pricing, intelligent inventory allocation, and proactive decision-making. As Mike noted, this was previously only possible for retail giants like Amazon. But with platforms like Fabric democratizing access to advanced AI, every retailer can now unlock this potential.

The implications are vast – I believe we’ll see AI fundamentally reshaping how brands operate and engage customers in the coming years.

Unifying Digital and Physical Retail

Finally, Mike emphasized the importance of blending digital and physical experiences into one cohesive customer journey. Fabric’s platform empowers retailers to offer seamless omnichannel scenarios – browse online, purchase in-store; buy on mobile, pick up curbside; endless aisles in fitting rooms – all on a single platform.

This unified approach powered by robust APIs is key to meeting modern customer expectations. I’m thrilled to see composable commerce and platforms like Fabric making this level of integration achievable for retailers of all sizes.

Boosting Performance and Flexibility with Fabric’s Ethos

One aspect of Fabric’s approach that stood out to me was their ethos of “boost what’s there, make it better and faster.” Mike explained how this allows retailers to incrementally adopt Fabric’s services to enhance their existing infrastructure, rather than ripping and replacing everything at once.

This modular approach, enabled by composable architecture, gives brands the agility to tackle their most pressing needs first, then layer in additional capabilities over time. From my experience, this agile mindset is essential for success in today’s fast-moving retail environment.

The Symbiosis of Composable Commerce and Omnichannel

Throughout our discussion, it became clear that composable commerce and omnichannel retail are intricately linked. The modularity and flexibility of composable architectures perfectly align with the demands of omnichannel selling.

As customer journeys increasingly criss-cross between digital and physical touchpoints, retailers need the ability to rapidly compose and recompose experiences. Fabric’s platform, with its comprehensive suite of APIs and pre-built components, makes this level of agility possible.

Empowering Store Associates with Clienteling

One exciting use case Mike highlighted was clienteling – equipping store associates with tools to deliver personalized, high-touch service. Historically, clienteling has been challenging due to disconnected systems and data silos.

But with a unified platform like Fabric, associates can now access customer profiles, past purchase history, product information, and inventory data in real-time. This empowers them to deliver the kind of consultative, omnichannel experiences that drive loyalty and revenue.

As brick-and-mortar retail rebounds post-pandemic, I believe clienteling will be a key differentiator. Composable commerce makes it achievable at scale.

As I reflect on my conversation with Mike, I’m struck by the vast potential of composable commerce to reshape retail. By breaking down monolithic systems into modular, API-driven components, retailers can finally achieve the speed and flexibility needed to thrive in the omnichannel era.

Moreover, the convergence of composable architectures and AI opens up exciting new possibilities. From dynamic pricing to predictive merchandising, retailers can now harness data and intelligence in previously unimaginable ways.

Of course, technology is just one piece of the puzzle. Retailers must also foster a culture of agility, experimentation, and customer-centricity. But with platforms like Fabric providing the technological foundation, I believe we’ll see a new generation of retailers redefining what’s possible in omnichannel commerce.

If you’re as passionate about the future of retail as I am, I invite you to listen to my full Talk Commerce podcast episode with Mike Micucci. And if you’ll be at Shoptalk, swing by the Fabric booth to see their technology in action.

The retail renaissance is here – and it’s composable. Let’s embrace this exciting new era together.