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Install Commerce (SaaS) + CMS

Install Optimizely Commerce (SaaS) + Optimizely Content Management System.

Follow these steps to install Optimizely Commerce (SaaS), Optimizely Content Management System (CMS), and a reference site for you to use as a starting point when you’re ready to begin building out your website.

See the Commerce (SaaS) + CMS User Reference for a list of the actions users should perform in each system.

How Commerce (SaaS) + CMS work together

CMS is the front-end of an eCommerce website, and Commerce (SaaS) is the back-end. Manage content in CMS and leverage Commerce (SaaS) to manage products, users, and other functionality on the back-end. CMS leverages the APIs in the Commerce (SaaS) C# SDK in a headless manner to expose Commerce (SaaS) data and capabilities within CMS. (See the C# SDK quickstart guide.)

Prerequisites

Before you install anything, make sure you meet these prerequisites:
• Licenses for CMS and Commerce (SaaS) (2 separate products)
• CMS v12 (or higher)
• Commerce (SaaS) 5.1 or later
• .NET 6 SDK (if you’re working with the deployment)

Step 1 – Install Commerce (SaaS)

Set up sample products, images, and categories before starting the CMS installation. You will need the sample data to know if the systems work together correctly.

Follow the instructions here:
Get started with Commerce (SaaS)

Step 2 – Install CMS

You can install a sample site and create an empty starter project after you set up your developer environment.

Follow the instructions here:
Get started with CMS

Step 3 – Install Commerce (SaaS) + CMS reference kit

The reference kit offers a starting point for you to build on when using Commerce (SaaS) with CMS. The reference kit is not a sample site or a template.

Follow the instructions here (be sure to reference the Readme file):
Commerce (SaaS) + CMS reference kit

Step 4 – Build the website

Use the reference kit, the Commerce (SaaS) C# SDK, and related documentation to build your eCommerce website.

Visit Optimizely Academy and search for the CMS Developer and Commerce (SaaS) Developer learning paths.

Step 5 – Manage upgrades

Before upgrading CMS, review the APIs to ensure Commerce (SaaS) delivers the data, then proceed with the upgrade. Keep in mind the release schedule of both systems:
• Commerce (SaaS) releases monthly and requires websites to keep up with a 3-month sync schedule. See Commerce (PaaS) release schedule.
• CMS releases weekly, and you can upgrade based on customer needs. See Releases.

Upgrade CMS ( version 12)
Commerce (PaaS) release schedule

Support

You can submit a support ticket for both Commerce (SaaS) and CMS to Optimizely Support. Indicate on your ticket that you are using both systems together and be specific about where the errors occur.