| | Multibase catalogue technology | The technical system in Multibase’s ecommerce packages is Livesite 1, a robust Unix database catalogue web site which Multibase hosts and manages as a web service. Livesite accommodates a range of business needs and provides a powerful but simple-to-use ecommerce web site management tool for the merchant. Our ecommerce packages are proven over the years as a robust introduction to ecommerce, offering excellent value for money. Virtually unlimited product catalogue- Any realistic size requirement with almost any number of product lines and groups
- Flexible item profiles can include information such as product codes, names, thumbnail and large images, GST amounts, variables like size and colour, order limits, descriptions, and inventory.
- Catalogue is built and maintained through secure web browser interface.
Flexible graphic design and dynamically generated web pages- Catalogue information is formatted into flexible ‘pages’ from information stored in the database as the visitor views the site.
- The 'look and feel' required can be implemented in the catalogue e.g. match your existing site.
- Integrate seamlessly into an existing site, or link from an existing site hosted anywhere.
Flexible shopping cart- Customised display, select, ordering, freight, tax, and merchant and customer notification features.
- Order process writes items to the database as soon as they are selected, enhancing security and the ability to track orders.
- Individual items can generate special fields on the order form, to collect specific information from a customer if they are selected.
- Email notifications to customers can include a receipt, if required with an individual message for each product if it has been selected.
Rapid implementation- Implementation is fast and economical.
- Multibase sets up the system so that merchants can focus on their business rather than web development.
Secure web browser maintenance interface- Secure web browser interface to maintain and update the site, including product, pricing and orders facilities.
Integrated ecommerce- Integrated connection to Multibase’s ePay Payment Gateway through Camtech, for real time secure online credit card clearance.
Fully hosted- Hosted by Multibase, making setup, maintenance and management easy.
Expandability and scalability- Catalogue can grow as the business grows.
- Can include a notice board or discussion forum, search facility and secure password-protected areas.
- Livesite database is self-maintaining - no ongoing database administration is required.
Supported - Multibase has been delivering and support information technology solutions for Australian businesses since 1983.
|
| | Technical features | Catalogue
| Feature |
Description |
Example |
| Virtually unlimited product database |
1, 2 or 3 level hierarchical catalogue structure that can support any realistic number of products, product groups and product profiles within the database hierarchy. There can be virtually any number of groups an each level, unless secure sections are used in which case the maximum number of Level 1s is 12. |
|
| Optional search functionality |
A configurable search can be set up to enable site visitors to select and sort products for display. This is useful when there are many items in a section of the site, to reduce the number of items displayed on one page. |
|
| Customisable product profiles |
Livesite supports virtually any number of configurable product profiles within the catalogue, a product profile is applied to the 3rd hierachical level or product grouping, meaning that all itenms in the 3rd group have the same product profile. The database can include different types of fields for different product profiles. |
Any |
| Product images |
Thumbnail and large product images can be displayed for each item, and uploaded through the management interface. |
|
| Integration of other web pages and content |
Additional text and images can be added to catalogue pages, and new information-only sections added if required, in normal HTML format. These inherit the look and feel set for the pages, so that the catalogue can function as a full web site if required. The catalogue can also be linked to ordinary web pages if required, hosted at Multibase or elsewhere. |
|
Product display and graphic design
| Feature |
Description |
Example |
| Dynamic catalogue pages |
Livesite generates catalogue pages from the database, as they are requested by the visitor. Product data, both text and images, are managed by the database. The user therefore always sees the most recent version of the catalogue. |
|
| Style sheet support |
CSS style sheets can be used to control the look and feel of most aspects of the web pages generated. |
|
| Configurable page design |
Many types of page layout can be used e.g. frames, navigation on left, right, bottom, top. A specific navigation system or style can be implemented if required, for example the navigation system of a merchant’s existing web site. |
|
Shopping cart features
| Feature |
Description |
Example |
| Shopping cart |
Livesite enables the customer to select items, add them to the shopping cart, view the contents, change quantities, delete items, and proceed to ordering. A catalogue is configured so that products can be added to the shopping basket either from a page which lists a number of products in the particular group, or from the detail page of each item. |
|
| Integrated credit card clearance |
Connection to Multibase’s ePay payment gateway, which offers real time online credit card processing through Camtech, is already integrated in Livesite. This feature can be configured readily once a merchant has established a merchant account with their bank. |
|
| Add to cart function |
Livesite enables the customer to select items, add them to the shopping cart, view the contents, change quantities, delete items, and proceed to ordering. A catalogue is configured so that products can be added to the shopping basket either from a page which lists a number of products in the particular group, or from the detail page of each item. |
|
Ordering features
| Feature |
Description |
Example |
| Flexible order forms |
The order form that collects customer details can be configured to specific requirements, and can be reconfigured later. The form can include special fields for an individual product. Form pages are modified through the Web browser interface. |
|
| Optional order notification and confirmation |
The merchant and customer can be notified by text or HTML e-mail when an order is placed. These can include a receipt. An individual message can be provided for each product if required. |
|
Order administration
| Feature |
Description |
Example |
| Order tracking |
Payment and purchase details are recorded to keep you informed of order progress. Livesite also records incomplete transactions. |
|
| Online merchant reporting |
A log of transaction details (excluding credit card numbers) is provided for reconciliation. |
|
| Invoice and receipt templates |
Tax invoices and receipts can be generated and e-mailed to customers. |
|
| Stock availability |
Stock levels are monitored in the database to provide confimation of order availability. |
|
Maintenance
| Feature |
Description |
Example |
| Web browser access |
Maintenance fuctions are performed using configurable form-style pages via a Web browser interface. |
|
| Merchant updates to database |
Once the initial product catalogue is built, a merchant can add, edit or delete products readily, with no knowledge or programming. Other changes such as adding product groups are possible with the support of our documentation. |
|
| Controlled publishing |
Products and sections can be updated yet remain invisible until ready for publishing. Seasonal products or sections can be retired temporarily from public view, and returned to the live site with a simple checkbox. |
|
| Maintaining the look and feel |
The look and feel of the site can easily be carried through when adding new product sections and products, with very minimal technical understanding. |
|
Security
| Feature |
Description |
Example |
| Password verification for access |
Administrators are promted for password verification before gaining maintenance page access. A superuser administrative login can retain editing powers over publications of new material |
|
| Optional SSL for encryption |
Secure Socket Layer encryption of transactions is required when using the payment gateway. This can be a generic Multibase certificate, or a domain or subdomain specific certificate. |
|
| Password management |
The merchant can control user passwords if required, or users can change their own passwords. |
|
| Secure sections |
Areas of the site can be made available only on successful login. Up to 12 secure 3-level sections can be added to the catalogue, with access to each controlled by login and password. |
|
Community and site promotion
| Feature |
Description |
Example |
| Discussion forum |
A discussion forum area can be added. |
|
| Search engine meta tags |
Meta tags can be inserted in to the site to enhance search engine positioning. |
|
| Search engine listing |
Monitored listing provides feedback on search engine |
|
| Optional Web statistics |
Provides key statistical information on site visitation. |
|
Hosting and system functions
| Feature |
Description |
Example |
| Hosting by Multibase |
Multibase hosts the site in its own hosting facility located at Fujitsu Australia’s Internet Data Centre in Sydney. Hosting costs are very modest. |
|
| Self maintaining database |
The Livesite system itself requires no ongoing attention by the merchant, and the database itself is self-maintaining. This means lower costs. |
|
| Support |
Customer service and technical support are readily available from Multibase, by email or telephone. |
| Catalogue
| Feature |
Description |
Example |
| Virtually unlimited product database |
1, 2 or 3 level hierarchical catalogue structure that can support any realistic number of products, product groups and product profiles within the database hierarchy. There can be virtually any number of groups an each level, unless secure sections are used in which case the maximum number of Level 1s is 12. |
|
| Optional search functionality |
A configurable search can be set up to enable site visitors to select and sort products for display. This is useful when there are many items in a section of the site, to reduce the number of items displayed on one page. |
|
| Customisable product profiles |
Livesite supports virtually any number of configurable product profiles within the catalogue, a product profile is applied to the 3rd hierachical level or product grouping, meaning that all itenms in the 3rd group have the same product profile. The database can include different types of fields for different product profiles. |
Any |
| Product images |
Thumbnail and large product images can be displayed for each item, and uploaded through the management interface. |
|
| Integration of other web pages and content |
Additional text and images can be added to catalogue pages, and new information-only sections added if required, in normal HTML format. These inherit the look and feel set for the pages, so that the catalogue can function as a full web site if required. The catalogue can also be linked to ordinary web pages if required, hosted at Multibase or elsewhere. |
|
Product display and graphic design
| Feature |
Description |
Example |
| Dynamic catalogue pages |
Livesite generates catalogue pages from the database, as they are requested by the visitor. Product data, both text and images, are managed by the database. The user therefore always sees the most recent version of the catalogue. |
|
| Style sheet support |
CSS style sheets can be used to control the look and feel of most aspects of the web pages generated. |
|
| Configurable page design |
Many types of page layout can be used e.g. frames, navigation on left, right, bottom, top. A specific navigation system or style can be implemented if required, for example the navigation system of a merchant’s existing web site. |
|
Shopping cart features
| Feature |
Description |
Example |
| Shopping cart |
Livesite enables the customer to select items, add them to the shopping cart, view the contents, change quantities, delete items, and proceed to ordering. A catalogue is configured so that products can be added to the shopping basket either from a page which lists a number of products in the particular group, or from the detail page of each item. |
|
| Integrated credit card clearance |
Connection to Multibase’s ePay payment gateway, which offers real time online credit card processing through Camtech, is already integrated in Livesite. This feature can be configured readily once a merchant has established a merchant account with their bank. |
|
| Add to cart function |
Livesite enables the customer to select items, add them to the shopping cart, view the contents, change quantities, delete items, and proceed to ordering. A catalogue is configured so that products can be added to the shopping basket either from a page which lists a number of products in the particular group, or from the detail page of each item. |
|
Ordering features
| Feature |
Description |
Example |
| Flexible order forms |
The order form that collects customer details can be configured to specific requirements, and can be reconfigured later. The form can include special fields for an individual product. Form pages are modified through the Web browser interface. |
|
| Optional order notification and confirmation |
The merchant and customer can be notified by text or HTML e-mail when an order is placed. These can include a receipt. An individual message can be provided for each product if required. |
|
Order administration
| Feature |
Description |
Example |
| Order tracking |
Payment and purchase details are recorded to keep you informed of order progress. Livesite also records incomplete transactions. |
|
| Online merchant reporting |
A log of transaction details (excluding credit card numbers) is provided for reconciliation. |
|
| Invoice and receipt templates |
Tax invoices and receipts can be generated and e-mailed to customers. |
|
| Stock availability |
Stock levels are monitored in the database to provide confimation of order availability. |
|
Maintenance
| Feature |
Description |
Example |
| Web browser access |
Maintenance fuctions are performed using configurable form-style pages via a Web browser interface. |
|
| Merchant updates to database |
Once the initial product catalogue is built, a merchant can add, edit or delete products readily, with no knowledge or programming. Other changes such as adding product groups are possible with the support of our documentation. |
|
| Controlled publishing |
Products and sections can be updated yet remain invisible until ready for publishing. Seasonal products or sections can be retired temporarily from public view, and returned to the live site with a simple checkbox. |
|
| Maintaining the look and feel |
The look and feel of the site can easily be carried through when adding new product sections and products, with very minimal technical understanding. |
|
Security
| Feature |
Description |
Example |
| Password verification for access |
Administrators are promted for password verification before gaining maintenance page access. A superuser administrative login can retain editing powers over publications of new material |
|
| Optional SSL for encryption |
Secure Socket Layer encryption of transactions is required when using the payment gateway. This can be a generic Multibase certificate, or a domain or subdomain specific certificate. |
|
| Password management |
The merchant can control user passwords if required, or users can change their own passwords. |
|
| Secure sections |
Areas of the site can be made available only on successful login. Up to 12 secure 3-level sections can be added to the catalogue, with access to each controlled by login and password. |
|
Community and site promotion
| Feature |
Description |
Example |
| Discussion forum |
A discussion forum area can be added. |
|
| Search engine meta tags |
Meta tags can be inserted in to the site to enhance search engine positioning. |
|
| Search engine listing |
Monitored listing provides feedback on search engine |
|
| Optional Web statistics |
Provides key statistical information on site visitation. |
|
Hosting and system functions
| Feature |
Description |
Example |
| Hosting by Multibase |
Multibase hosts the site in its own hosting facility located at Fujitsu Australia’s Internet Data Centre in Sydney. Hosting costs are very modest. |
|
| Self maintaining database |
The Livesite system itself requires no ongoing attention by the merchant, and the database itself is self-maintaining. This means lower costs. |
|
| Support |
Customer service and technical support are readily available from Multibase, by email or telephone. |
| |
|
Other catalogues and shopping carts | Multibase also supports the OS Commerce platform. Open Source based online shop e-commerce solution that is available free. We can host, develop, and support your shop, or you can do it yourself. A payment module for Multibase's ePay system is also available. |
| Multibase also supports the OS Commerce platform. Open Source based online shop e-commerce solution that is available free. We can host, develop, and support your shop, or you can do it yourself. A payment module for Multibase's ePay system is also available. |
|