ATG, Accretive Commerce Combine Solutions

Art Technology Group Inc. and Accretive Commerce Inc. formed a strategic alliance that will integrate ATG's e-commerce applications with Accretive's customer care, fulfillment and logistics solutions.

The move was taken to address a need in the marketplace, with many online merchants looking for a complete solution to the technological and operational challenges of the e-commerce channel, according to both companies.

However, online retailers options mostly have been limited either to buying different e-commerce, customer care and fulfillment technologies or outsourcing their entire e-commerce business. The former can be costly, requiring an extensive vendor search and presenting integration issues while the latter requires relinquishing branding and merchandising control.

Several pre-existing synergies between ATG, Cambridge, MA, and Accretive Commerce, Charlotte, NC, led to the strategic alliance. This includes both companies' common history of working with several retailers, including New York & Company, Restoration Hardware and American Eagle Outfitters. The resulting end-to-end e-commerce solution is available immediately and is being marketed by both firms.