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What is Demandware?

Demandware

Demandware was a cloud-based e-commerce platform founded in 2004 by Stephan Schambach and Wayne Whitcomb, headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts. It offered retailers a hosted, software-as-a-service way to build and run online storefronts without managing their own servers, and it went public on the NYSE in 2012.

In 2016, Salesforce acquired Demandware for roughly $2.8 billion and folded its technology into the Salesforce platform, relaunching it as Salesforce Commerce Cloud (later renamed Salesforce B2C Commerce). Many merchants and developers still refer to the platform informally as "Demandware," and the underlying architecture, terminology, and merchant tooling carry over directly from the original product.

Why connect Demandware to Feedance?

Demandware (Salesforce B2C Commerce) stores are typically run by mid-size and enterprise retailers with large, frequently changing catalogs across multiple channels. Keeping product listings, stock levels, and order information accurate across marketplaces, ad platforms, and comparison shopping engines by hand is impractical at that scale.

Feedance connects to your Demandware store so your product data stays consistent everywhere you sell, without your team manually exporting and reformatting files every time something changes.

How does Feedance connect to Demandware?

Feedance connects to your Demandware store using the credentials and permissions your store already supports, establishing a secure, authenticated connection to your storefront. Once connected, Feedance reads your catalog and order data on a schedule and can push updates back, such as inventory availability, without you having to build or maintain any custom integration code.

Setup is handled through Feedance's guided connection flow, so no developer resources are required to get your store connected.

What data does Feedance access from Demandware?

Feedance works with exactly three data entities on any connected platform, including Demandware:

Data entityWhat Feedance does with it
ProductsReads product titles, descriptions, pricing, images, and other catalog attributes to build and optimize your feeds.
InventoryReads and updates stock levels and availability so your feeds and connected channels reflect what you can actually fulfill.
OrdersReads order data to help you track fulfillment status and reconcile channel performance.

Demandware-specific considerations worth knowing

A few things about Demandware/Salesforce B2C Commerce are worth understanding before you connect it to any external tool:

  • Naming can be confusing. The platform was renamed Salesforce Commerce Cloud shortly after the 2016 acquisition and later Salesforce B2C Commerce, but "Demandware" is still widely used by merchants, developers, and job postings to refer to the same underlying system.
  • Multiple environments per store. Demandware/B2C Commerce merchants typically work across separate development, staging, and production instances (and, for developers, individual sandboxes), so it matters which environment your feed tool is pointed at.
  • Business Manager is the admin hub. Store configuration, catalogs, and API client access are all managed through Demandware's "Business Manager" interface, which is the same control panel used to authorize external connections like Feedance.
  • Catalogs can be complex. Demandware supports multi-site and multi-catalog setups (shared master catalogs feeding several storefronts), which is worth keeping in mind when mapping product data into your feeds.

How to connect Demandware with Feedance

  1. Log in to your Feedance account and choose "Add Platform" from your dashboard.
  2. Select Demandware (Salesforce B2C Commerce) from the list of supported platforms.
  3. Enter your store details and the connection credentials Feedance requests.
  4. Authorize the connection so Feedance can access your Products, Inventory, and Orders data.
  5. Confirm the connection and let Feedance run its first sync to pull in your catalog.

How often does your Demandware data sync?

Feedance syncs your Demandware store's product, inventory, and order data on a regular automated schedule, so your feeds reflect recent changes without manual re-exports. Sync frequency can vary based on your plan and store size, and you can also trigger a manual sync at any time if you need your data refreshed immediately after a big catalog update.

Common Demandware connection issues and how to fix them

IssueLikely causeHow to fix it
Connection fails during setupIncorrect store URL or credentials, or the connecting account lacks sufficient permissions in Business ManagerDouble-check the store address and credentials, and confirm the account used to connect has the necessary access rights.
Sync pulls in the wrong catalog or stale dataFeedance is pointed at a staging, development, or non-primary catalog instead of your live production catalogVerify you selected the correct storefront/catalog and environment when connecting, then reconnect if needed.
Inventory updates don't appear on your storeWrite permissions were not granted, or the change hasn't reached the next scheduled syncConfirm inventory update permissions were authorized during setup, or trigger a manual sync.
Connection stops working after a period of timeStore credentials expired, were rotated, or access was revoked in Business ManagerReauthorize the connection in Feedance with refreshed credentials from your store.

Demandware feed optimization tips

  • Keep product titles and descriptions complete and consistent in Demandware, since Feedance builds your feeds directly from that source data.
  • Make sure inventory counts are accurate and up to date in your store so out-of-stock items aren't advertised on connected channels.
  • If you run multiple sites or catalogs in Demandware, confirm Feedance is reading from the correct one before publishing feeds.
  • Review your product images and pricing regularly, as clean, accurate catalog data produces stronger feed performance downstream.
  • Use Feedance's manual sync option after major catalog updates so your feeds don't wait for the next scheduled cycle.

Frequently Asked Questions About Demandware

  • How does Feedance connect to my Demandware store?

    Feedance connects directly to your Demandware (Salesforce B2C Commerce) store using the connection credentials you provide during setup. Once authorized, Feedance securely reads your product, inventory, and order data on a regular schedule and can push inventory updates back to your store, all without you needing to write or maintain any custom integration code.

  • Is Demandware the same thing as Salesforce Commerce Cloud?

    Yes. Demandware was the original name of the platform before Salesforce acquired the company in 2016 for about 2.8 billion dollars and rebranded it as Salesforce Commerce Cloud, later renamed Salesforce B2C Commerce. Many merchants and developers still call it Demandware out of habit, but it is the same underlying platform, and Feedance's connection works the same way regardless of which name your store uses.

  • What data can Feedance read or update on Demandware?

    Feedance works with three types of data on Demandware: products, inventory, and orders. It reads your product catalog and order information to build and monitor your feeds, and it can read and update inventory levels so your listings reflect accurate stock availability. Feedance does not access customer records, coupons, shipping or tax settings, or any other store data.

  • How do I make sure my Demandware feed stays current?

    Feedance automatically syncs your Demandware product, inventory, and order data on a regular schedule, so changes you make in your store are reflected in your feeds without manual work. If you make a large catalog update and want it reflected right away, you can trigger a manual sync from your Feedance dashboard instead of waiting for the next scheduled run.

  • Do I need developer help to connect Demandware to Feedance?

    No. Feedance is designed to be connected through a guided setup flow using your existing store credentials and access permissions, so most merchants can complete the connection themselves. You may want someone with access to your store's Business Manager on hand to authorize the connection, but no custom development work is required.

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