Miva Merchant

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.

• 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: All Operating Systems
• Fully Scriptable, XML compatible source code included.

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.

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 compatability with other systems. You can use dozens of different database management tool to access Miva Merchant xBase compatible data files.

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.

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

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 websites.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Any Unix or Windows web server with the Miva Engine installed.