PRISM Commerce (Proxy Retail with Inventoryless Sourcing Model)
The canonical web reference for PRISM Commerce: the model’s definition, architecture, glossary, publications, and development history. Start with the definition, explore how the model works, or go directly to the specification and source publications.
The model
PRISM Commerce (Proxy Retail with Inventoryless Sourcing Model) is a retail model in which a platform offers an assortment to customers without pre-purchasing the displayed goods. After an order is paid, the platform selects an external source, purchases the relevant product, and manages the downstream fulfillment flow for the customer.
Architectural formula
many inventory sources -> one retailer / MoR -> customer
Many inventory sources are organized into one customer-facing retail model. The MoR role is identified according to the actual contractual and payment structure. In parallel, PRISM brings together distributed expertise: assortment curation, product knowledge, and professional guidance use the platform’s shared infrastructure.