(1) On the buy-side, a defined role in WebSphere Commerce that makes purchases from the seller's Web site on behalf of a customer account. Typically, purchases are made under one or more agreements negotiated with the Seller.
(2) On the sell-side, a defined role in WebSphere Commerce that handles negotiations and ordering, keeps track of inventory, makes purchase order decisions, tracks reasons for returns, and tracks expected inventory records and receipts.