Shopware United was formed to help Shopware move from being a leading German platform to being a leading global platform, one that flies the flag for “Open Source” ecommerce and the benefits of flexible and adaptable ecommerce software. To do that we need to bring all the different stakeholders in Shopware together, for the benefit of all. That means developers, agencies, technology providers, merchant and a whole wealth of other people and businesses. We want to help all these diverse communities, from countries all around the world, live and thrive in the Shopware ecosystem. With this in mind we have adopted the following aims:

AIMS

  • To give the Shopware community an “English First” focus point for communication especially across borders (ie to serve the Int community and help it integrate, where possible, with the German community)

  • To improve communication channels into Shopware without sacrificing the independence of the community
  • To increase Shopware community visibility and ensure that Shopware knowledge, information, extension discussion and features /ideas are visible to both search engines and the community.
  • To encourage maximum involvement of the community to the product and the wider ecosystem
    • To identify areas of Shopware that the Community could usefully contribute to
    • To provide a mechanism for extension projects to be allocated to developers
    • To actively welcome new people, especially those from other territories and countries , to local events

In addition to this we wanted to ensure that these aims are upheld in a way that guarantees the culture we think is important to an Open Source community. We therefore also have included some core values that we expect our Shopware Community to uphold:

CORE VALUES

  • Be Inclusive, not Exclusive
    • Do not promote exclusivity (no VIP status, no “Masters”).
    • No event, (apart from AGM or EGM) should be member-only.
  • “ Ask not what the Community can do for You, but what You can do for the Community” 
    • Members participate actively and contribute time.

WHY COMMUNITY IS SO IMPORTANT

Many of us, when we started in ecommerce (often in the Magento Community!) benefited from the help and support of other members of the community. It helped us get over the initial hurdles that we inevitably faced, helped us to gain the expertise we needed to deliver great work to our customers, and just as importantly it provided support when times were tough! We want the Shopware community to do the same for it members – Why? – because Open Source software depends on a spirit of contribution and community to deliver innovation and evolve great solutions – that’s how it continues to offer the flexibility and adaptability that modern ecommerce requires.

We all know that adopting any new platform is hard – and this community helps soften the blow  by providing easy access to shared knowledge, assets, ideas and best practice. There are going to be roadblocks in any development and community helps us surmount them. Aiding the speedy dissemination of knowledge is also key – and community helps ensure that all are kept up to date with developments.

Furthermore, we know that the most important requirement for any platform is Trust, and that an active community is a major factor in generating this –  from agencies, businesses, merchants and developers. Supporting technologies also need to trust the platform, and the robustness of the community can help with this too. The Shopware community aims to go further by helping oil the wheels of commercial activity, and enable it participants to build great businesses – aided by collaboration and the power of networking. That might mean finding new colleagues and partners, or new customers, or new mentors.

One of the great things about community is that it represents a “Network Effect” – as it grows bigger it becomes of more value to all concerned – so we all have an interest in making sure the Shopware community is as large and as egalitarian as it possibly can be.

And when a community is large and diverse that creates the perfect conditions for that other business essential – GREAT PARTIES AND SOCIAL EVENTS!

Roadmap To our Vision

While we would all love to be able to to achieve all we need to instantly, we realise that we need to be realistic, and that creating a great community takes time – and effort! As a result , we have put together a roadmap to help us move ever closer to an ideal community. That roadmap consists of:

  • Events
  • Compile/edit a useful database Shopware resources (code modules, Code assets, links to training and information, FAQs)
  • Promote & Support events and services of our members and partners
  • Provide opportunities for the community and the Shopware Ecosystem to meet each other and mingle
  • Do anything we can to increase Shopware visibility across the globe

Legal Entity

Shopware United is an independent ‘Not for Profit’ organisation registered as a Vereniging in The Netherlands.

The Shopware United Board

To manage this Shopware United has a Management Board, made up of a mixture of developers, agency executives, consultants and enthusiasts:

 

Justin Biddle...from the UK. Justin was one of the founders of Shopware United and is a seasoned ecommerce professional of 15 years standing, although he started career as a soldier in the British Army, He has founded and run two digital businesses, including an ecommerce agency specialising in the Magento/Adobe Commerce platform. Justin also spearheaded the internationalisation of Shopware AG as UK & Ireland General Manager, building solution and technology partnerships and an active international platform community.
Katarzyna Halina Sokol
Borys Skraba... from Poland, Borys Skraba is a distinguished e-commerce expert with over 15 years of experience in the field. As the Managing Director and founder of Strix Group, a prominent European agency specializing in comprehensive e-commerce, omnichannel, and digital transformation solutions, he has established offices in Poland, Germany, and the Netherlands. Skraba's vast knowledge and expertise have been honed through leading some of the most complex implementation projects for both the B2C and B2B sectors. His portfolio includes prestigious clients. A respected figure in the industry, he is a frequent speaker at conferences and an active member of the Chamber of Electronic Commerce, contributing significantly to the field’s evolution."
Boris Redlich... from Germany. Boris is a seasoned e-commerce professional holding a degree in International Business Studies. With a rich background spanning international stints in Chile and the USA, Boris Redlich boasts over 20 years of extensive sales and management expertise. He has held prominent positions at esteemed companies such as General Electric, Siemens AG, and Insight Technology Solutions. Prior to his role at PAQATO, a leading midmarket After Sales Experience Platform and Shopware Technology Partner, Boris served on the management board of Shopware.
Tobias Pierschel
Wouter den Otter
Sander Mangel... from the Netherlands, embarked on his career as a developer, initially diving into the world of e-commerce through platforms like Magento and OsCommerce. This early experience ignited a love for e-commerce, eventually leading him to Shopware. Presently, Sander serves as a Solution Architect, where he contributes his skills and knowledge to support merchants, agencies, and various businesses in harnessing the full potential of Shopware. His work primarily revolves around providing insightful guidance and crafting bespoke solutions to meet the diverse needs of his clients.

In addition to his professional pursuits, Sander is a fervent advocate for Shopware United, driven by a conviction that community engagement and open-source contributions are crucial for the platform's growth and success. His dedication to promoting a collaborative spirit and sharing expertise comes from his belief in the collective power of individuals working together towards a common goal.
Laura Kremer
Edin Dedagic... from Germany and is the founder of WEBversiert GmbH. Since 2015, WEBversiert GmbH has been a Showpare-only agency, specializing in creating complex B2B and B2C eCommerce solutions with a focus on SEO optimization. Edin is also the co-host of the shopcast.fm podcast, where he shares his expertise and insights on the eCommerce industry. Edin is an experienced individual who is strongly involved in the eCommerce community. Before moving to project management and C-level tasks, Edin was also involved in coding. With his extensive experience and knowledge, Edin has established himself as an experienced and valuable member of the german eCommerce community.
Tim Resl.... from Germany is the founder of Mediagraphik GmbH and B2Bsellers GmbH. Since 2014, he has found his passion in the Shopware cosmos. His focus is on the digital transformation of companies, especially with a focus on B2B merchants. With a strong technical background, he appreciates the lively exchange and collaboration within the community. As the founder of the B2Bsellers Suite, he aims to actively incorporate the interests of plugin developers into the community.