W3Hosts - E-Commerce Solutions

W3 Hosts is proud to offer the Miva Merchant e-retail software as an add-on to our shared and dedicated host plans. When you order one of the qualifying hosting plans select one of two Miva Merchant options and start building your e-commerce product website.

Executive Summary

Miva Merchant is a browser based Storefront and Catalog development tool that integrates cataloging, product maintenance, category management, shopping basket, order and credit card processing. Multiple stores can be maintained by one central administrator or specific store functions can be delegated to sub-administrators. The software is organized as a series of modules that can be field upgraded to provide new functionality without any changes to the core system. Developers can use the browser based interface to build stores or can get "under the hood" with complete access to the underlying source codes written in XML based Miva Script. Merchants manage their stores with a user friendly browser based interface.

Feature Highlights

Nestable hierarchal categories
Link into catalog from any web page
Extensive boolean product searching
Upsell based on basket contents scoring
SSL integration for ordering and reporting
Automatic shopping basket maintenance
Unlimited look and feel control
API based replaceable modules
Detailed product attribute configuration
Multiple and unlimited fulfillment options
Multiple and unlimited sales tax setup
Multiple and unlimited shipping methods
Multiple ways to find products for editing
Automatic online UPS shipping calculations
Configurable currency layout

Batch and archival management of orders
Email notification of orders
Advanced dynamic whitespace compression
Quick installation and auto data file setup
"Buy One Now" button can be added to any web page
Database driven, modular architecture
Mall administrator can setup multiple stores
Automatic import of KoolCat data files
Context sensitive online help
File upload of images and products
Interface to other applications.
Online Credit card authorization
Cross Platform: 8 Unixes, Windows NT, Win 95, Win98
Fully Scriptable, XML compatible source code included.

Miva Merchant Advantages

Virtual Domain or Dedicated Domain

Because Miva Merchant runs on top of the Miva Engine, it is ideal for either virtual domain or dedicated domain implementations. The Miva Engine takes care of all of the details of virtual domain management allowing Miva Merchant to run identically in either environment.

Database Management

Thousands of categories and products can be maintained in Miva Merchant without sacrificing performance. The database architecture of the system provides for instant organization and fast product search while maintaining complete compatibility with other systems. You can use dozens of different database management tool to access Miva Merchant xBase compatible data files.

Cross Platform

All application and database files used by Miva Merchant are 100% cross platform and need no conversion to work with over seven different Unix platforms and Microsoft Windows 95/98/NT. Developers and merchants can protect their investment in catalog development if they have to switch to a different architecture. Also, Miva Merchant can be used with Miva Mia, the free personal version of the Miva Engine, providing a complete offline development environment.

Modular Architecture

The architecture of Miva Merchant is specifically designed so that developers and aftermarket venders can implement their own customized modules around a common API. Once a module is developed, push button registration automatically integrates it into the main Miva Merchant system. Modules can also be registered with Miva Corp. for automatic promotion to all Miva Merchant licensees and prospects -- a great free service for developers, aftermarket venders, and merchants.

Modules can be developed for the following sub-systems:

Fulfillment
User Interface
Shipping
Payment
Currency
Sales Tax
Batch Reporting

Existing Site Integration

Developers who have already built sites in HTML can simply hyperlink directly into the Miva Merchant system. All of the Storefront functionality such as product lookup, category presentation, shopping basket, and order forms can be accessed as components of existing HTML based web sites.

Security

All sensitive data can be encrypted with SSL prior to transmission including order information both during the customer ordering process and subsequently during order processing. Multiple layers of login permissions allow a centralized manager the ability to grant store level permissions to different developers and merchants.

Online Help

New users can operate Miva Merchant in the novice mode with detailed prompting information about each field and overall information about screen usage. Expert users can toggle between prompt mode and silent mode for power editing.

Open System

Because Miva Merchant source code is completely available and it uses a web browser as its user interface, it is the most customizable solution on the market today. The entire system is based on a standards oriented architecture allowing for excellent integration with other software using industry standard protocols and interfaces.

Site Administrator Friendly

Miva Merchant requires no daily management or intervention from busy system administrators. Installation takes less than a minute on any Miva Engine enabled system with several automated installation scripts provided free by Miva Corp. to Hosting Services and ISP's.

E-Commerce Retail Solutions Using Miva Merchant