Did They Kill Magento?

Introduction

It’s one of those tech evolutions that, even years later, still evokes a touch of nostalgia. In 2018, Adobe Commerce turned the beloved Magento into something more sophisticated. Born from the minds of developers Roy Rubin and Yoav Kutner, Magento now shines anew under the guidance of the California-based giant.

For those who think Adobe Commerce was the end of Magento, what follows might change your mind. Below is a conversation with ChatGPT’s AI assistant, featuring its new voice capability that allows for natural, interactive verbal dialogue—driven by a tech enthusiast eager to test out the latest features.

Adobe Commerce vs. Magento: how we got here

“I’m thinking of an article on Adobe Commerce. I’d like to start with the history of Magento: what it was and how it transformed into Adobe Commerce. What do you think?”

“You could start by outlining Magento 1’s history—its strengths as an open-source platform for large-scale projects, but also its challenges, like technical complexity and a not-so-user-friendly experience.”

The Early Days: Magento 1

Magento 1 launched in 2008, quickly establishing itself as a powerful e-commerce tool. Its modular structure allowed customization of every aspect of an online store, supported by extensive integrations and a wide range of extensions.

However, this great flexibility required advanced technical skills. Magento 1 was not for everyone; implementations and maintenance needed to be handled by expert developers. The platform also had performance limitations and user experience challenges. The system’s complexity led to long loading times, and not all plugins were perfectly optimized, negatively affecting the user experience.

Before Adobe Commerce

“I’d like to talk about the launch of Magento 2, when expectations were high… even though initial bugs and challenges dampened the excitement” proseguo. 

“Great idea! From there, you can transition to Adobe Commerce, explaining how Adobe addressed these challenges, improved user experience, and introduced modern integrations.”

Magento 2

Magento 2 debuted in 2015 with the promise of overcoming Magento 1’s limitations and elevating the platform. Thanks to the support of new technologies like PHP 8 and advanced caching systems, Magento 2 has made a significant leap forward in terms of performance and loading speed. The user interface received a major overhaul, becoming more intuitive for both users and administrators.

As is common with major transitions, the early days weren’t without hiccups. The initial version of Magento 2 came with its share of bugs and stability issues, necessitating frequent updates and patches. Moreover, some features from Magento 1 weren’t immediately available, posing challenges for companies ready to make the switch. Over time, however, the problems were resolved, turning Magento 2 into a more stable and reliable platform.

Adobe Commerce: a new era for e-commerce

With Adobe’s acquisition of Magento in 2018, a new chapter called Adobe Commerce began. The software giant behind Photoshop took Magento’s legacy and amplified its strengths, creating a more scalable and versatile solution alongside the open-source sibling. While Magento 2 suits small to mid-sized businesses seeking flexibility and customization, Adobe Commerce targets larger enterprises with advanced features and professional support. Adobe enhanced security, performance, and user-friendliness, making Adobe Commerce a cutting-edge platform for modern digital commerce challenges.

Adobe Commerce for international projects

“Let’s talk about Adobe Commerce’s features for large projects, like multi-country and multi-language management and advanced integrations.”

“Adobe Commerce is much more advanced than Magento, with a structure that allows companies to manage content, pricing, and catalogs for each market, creating tailored experiences for customers in different countries. It offers unmatched control and scalability.”

Adobe Commerce isn’t just a rebranding of Magento—it’s a platform designed for the global market. It’s perfect for those aiming to operate large-scale e-commerce, with the ability to manage catalogs, pricing, and strategies for each country.

Adobe Commerce and AI

“And what about AI? With growing interest in artificial intelligence, how can Adobe Commerce stand out from the competition?”

“Adobe Commerce strategically integrates AI to enhance product search, offer personalized recommendations, and create a more engaging shopping experience. Through machine learning algorithms, it’s possible to analyze consumer behavior and suggest items that match their preferences.”

AI integration in online commerce goes beyond suggesting the right products—it makes every interaction personalized. Adobe understands how to captivate modern consumers, and AI doesn’t just say “you might like this.” It studies every click, search, and abandoned cart. With advanced technologies like Adobe Sensei, AI personalizes offers, optimizes campaigns, and enhances user interaction, boosting satisfaction and loyalty.

Integration with Adobe’s Ecosystem

“Adobe also seems to focus heavily on integration with products like Experience Manager, Marketo, Analytics, and Campaign. Do you think this ecosystem strategy makes a difference?”

“Absolutely. With Experience Manager, companies can manage content; Marketo automates marketing; and Adobe Analytics optimizes strategies in real-time. Adobe Commerce becomes a complete, seamlessly integrated platform.” 

Adobe Commerce vs Magento: Mage-OS and Magento’s open source spirit

“And what about Mage-OS? I know Adobe has permitted the use of the Magento name for this open-source spin-off.”

“Mage-OS is intriguing because it retains the open-source spirit of Magento, preserving the Magento 2 core with a modern and independent approach. It’s a great choice for those who want to stay within the open-source world without entering Adobe Commerce’s closed ecosystem.”

Mage-OS is an Italian-based project that aims to ensure the accessibility, longevity, and success of the Magento platform and its ecosystem. It provides a flexible and innovative version of Magento, but without the constraints of centralized management. While Mage-OS emphasizes community-driven development and fast updates, Adobe Commerce is the go-to for a fully supported and integrated platform.

The verdict

While Magento 2 continues to evolve independently, with Mage-OS filling in some gaps, Adobe Commerce delivers advanced features perfect for large-scale enterprises. In summary, if you’re seeking flexibility without hefty upfront costs, Magento and Mage-OS are great choices. But if you need a solid, professionally-supported platform for high-volume commerce, Adobe Commerce is the way to go.

Adobe Commerce has revealed itself not as the “killer” of Magento, but rather as an evolution looking to the future, with advanced tools for global businesses and AI-driven features that transform the shopping experience.