All-New WineDirect: FAQs

As we start off September, we want to take a moment to update you on the latest developments with our All-New WineDirect platform.

We are well into the discovery stage of this important project – doing the deep research necessary to fully scope the work to ensure that the All-New WineDirect platform will be everything our customers want it to be, and more.

In addition to research, we are upgrading and scaling up the team so we are properly resourced to meet the challenge of building an All-New WineDirect.

For example, we’ve hired a new VP of Engineering, Dan Mills, who has 15+ years’ experience building teams and has successfully been through several SaaS replatforming projects. We are continuing to add other senior Engineering and Product team members to our existing team who will be fully focused on building the All-New WineDirect. We have also restructured our team to allow the majority to focus 100% on replatforming, while another group takes care of our existing platform.

We’ll provide another update later this year, but in the meantime, here are some FAQs and answers that will provide more information.

1. What is WineDirect building? 

We are building the All-New WineDirect Ecommerce Platform an all-in-one platform with support for Ecommerce, Wine Club, Retail (POS), and omni-channel sales with beautiful store experiences, fast check out, powerful analytics, marketing automation and customization through flexible APIs and third-party apps.

2. What features will be included in the new platform? 

The major core functionality of the WineDirect platform will be included in the All-New Platform.  Rebuilding the platform also provides the opportunity to evaluate what is most impactful for our clients and what is no longer necessary. One thing is guaranteed, while the All-New platform will be familiar, it will be a tremendous upgrade across the board.   

3. Why should I be excited about this change?

There are so many reasons to be excited about the All New WineDirect, including:

• Flexible, website design tools that support exciting features including 1:1 personalization of content, product customer benefits such as pricing.
• A content management system (CMS)  you update and A/B test changes on your own; with no programming knowledge required.
• Intuitive and flexible, WineClub, User Choice Clubs and Subscriptions.
• Fast, customer-focused and reliable POS.
• Dashboards and reporting that provides intelligence into trends, status and health of your DTC business.
• One of a kind omni-channel sales opportunities to help you find and attract new clients.
• Improved and expanded capabilities for Webservices to connect with external systems and third-party applications.

4. What new APIs will be available on the All-New WineDirect and what will happen to existing APIs?

New APIs will support a backwards compatibility with SOAP for existing APIs (so existing APIs will still function) and more robust REST services and GraphQL will also be supported.

5. I want to integrate current WD APIs with third party tools. Should I wait for new APIs or should I spend money to integrate current systems?

This really depends on the specifics of your situation. If you are looking at something that will help to grow your business right now, you may want to pursue it. Because the All-New WineDirect won’t be generally available for at least a year, you may want to act now for time-sensitive integrations that will increase your ROI in the short-term. 

6. Should I wait to redesign my website, or can I do it now? Can I still use WineDirect templates?

If you are in need of a new website immediately, WordPress is a great option as it has a lot of flexibility and will integrate seamlessly with the All-New WineDirect. You can also continue to use the current WineDirect templates and we will transition accordingly when the time comes.

7. How will we transition to the All-New WineDirect Platform?

As of now, we are planning to roll out in 3 phases, built around the major sales channels: 

Phase 1: Ecommerce Only 
Phase 2: Ecommerce + Wine Club 
Phase 3: Ecommerce + Wine Club + POS

When the time comes, WineDirect will ensure that your transition to the new platform is seamless, with all your data and key configuration remaining intact.

There won’t be incremental costs to migrate to the new platform. Winery clients may choose to build a new site using the many tools available, which may require use of an WineDirect certified designer, which will be a separate engagement.

8. What is the timing for Canada and Australia?

The rollout of the All-New WineDirect will be based on what services a winery client is using, not where they are located, so wineries in Canada and Australia will most likely be on the same timeline as their counterparts in the U.S.

9. What should I do to prepare for the transition? 

Nothing! A member of our team will reach out when we are ready to get you started and answer any specific questions you may have.

10. Have you stopped development on the current WineDirect platform?

Absolutely not. Although most of our team is laser-focused on planning for the All-New WineDirect and enhanced wine club tools, we also have a dedicated team working exclusively on the current platform. In addition to updating features, we are keeping performance, availability and security top-of-mind. We have proactively upgraded all of our databases to improve performance, became PCI DSS Level 1 compliant,  and increased fraud protection by adding reCAPTCHA Enterprise security heading into the busy holiday shopping season.

13. Still want more information?

Watch this video discussing the latest developments in the All-New WineDirect.