Backbone of Global E-Commerce

This project involves building the core technology that powers global e-commerce by connecting complex marketplace APIs to the ChannelEngine platform. Students will focus on a core assignment: designing and building a functional marketplace integration with a brand-new API. This includes handling real-world data such as products, orders, and pricing, while managing technical constraints like authentication, rate limits, and data mapping. In addition to the integration work, students will develop a Proof of Concept (POC) for an MCP (Model Context Protocol) server. This innovative task explores modern API design and AI-ready architectures, allowing clients to securely access platform data and operational insights. Throughout the project, participants are embedded in an Agile team in Leiden, where they gain production experience by inspecting and fixing real system bugs under the guidance of senior architects.

The MVP focuses on the project's core assignment: building a functional marketplace integration. This includes: - Initial Marketplace Connection: Establishing a working connection with a brand-new marketplace API. - Core Data Exchange: Implementing the logic to handle essential data types, specifically products, orders, stock, and pricing. - Technical Infrastructure: Setting up the necessary authentication and basic data mapping to ensure the systems can communicate.

The fully completed version of the project includes: - MCP Server Proof of Concept: The addition of an innovative Model Context Protocol server that allows clients to access data, reports, and insights, exploring AI-ready architectures. - Advanced Data Access: This server allows clients to directly access ChannelEngine data, reports, and operational insights. - Future-Facing Architecture: The final product demonstrates a blend of traditional e-commerce platforms and modern AI-ready systems.