Using AbleCommerce Builder™ Administration

Introduction

AbleCommerce Builder™ is a real-time electronic commerce shopping system and multiple store online management tool. The administration module supports the creation and editing of dynamic web pages and product inventory management. Additional sub-modules include shipping, taxes, order retrieval, reports, and custom form building. AbleCommerce Builder can support multiple domains and custom templates while still having the ability to use the dynamic editing of web pages through the online administration module.

A web server, such as O'Reilly WebSite or the Microsoft Internet Information Server (IIS), should have a secure key installed for the hosting domain. This enables stores to share a common secure certificate and use the SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) to request, retrieve and complete an online transaction immediately and securely.

Quickly Getting Started...

There are three demonstration stores provided to help you make choices regarding store setup. Before creating a new store, please spend a few minutes looking at the administration settings for each of the three demonstated store sizes.

First steps to creating a new store:

• Login to the dynamically generated URL given to you in the readme.txt file;

http://YourDomainName/capps/security/admin/main.cfm

• Type in a user name of 'Administrator' and password of 'password'
• Bookmark the location of the Administrator Menu for all stores;

http://YourDomainName/capps/dsmaster/index.cfm

• Click on the 'Users' link to change the administrator information for user 'Admin' and change your password; From the User Manager, select 'All Users' and press 'Search'.
  
• Select 'User,Admin' and press 'Basic Info'. Complete the form and select a new user name and password for future access. Make sure to write these down. Press 'Update' to continue.
  
• Click the blue arrow twice to return to the Administrator Menu, from the left frame select the store group 'Demo Stores' if it isn't already the current selection. The stores within this database will appear in the main viewing frame as links.
  
• We highly recommend viewing the three demonstration stores and the settings under the 'Merchant Administration Menu'. After doing so, return to the Administrator Menu.
  
• From the Administrator Menu, you will not be able to add or delete stores within the Store Group 'Demo Stores'. From the left frame, click on the 'Store Group 1' link for a new empty main viewing frame. Click the 'Create Store' link and follow the instructions on the Add New Store page.
  
• After creating a new store, you will be directed to the Merchant Menu for that particular company. The store name is temporarily called 'New Store'.
  
• You can begin customization by clicking on the link 'Merchant Administration Menu'. This link will only appear for an administrator.
  
• Click on the 'Activate Storefront' link to begin a step by step procedure for setting up the administration features of this new store. Each screen will display instructions and selections.
  
• Activate Storefront - (default is off) Turn on after the store is completed, or select hide to separate the store from the mall directory page.
• Shipping Class - (default is C, none) Five shipping types are available, each can be further customized from the 'Merchant Menu'.
• Store Settings - (default is Medium) A small store would generally output a list of groups or products directly from the home page. A medium store would generally output a link to a separate directory or catalog. A large store uses all three levels: categories, groups, and products. The categories are browsable to the user, see demo Mainstreet Books.
• Payment Methods - (default is Visa) All options can be selected and will work immediately for the new store except the Cybercash option. Before enabling Cybercash, please verify that you have server software installed and a valid Cybercash merchant account. The Cold Fusion CFX tag must also be working to pass the to information the remote Cybercash verification server. We recommend using a test server before actually accepting real transactions.
• Company Description - (default is null) Use this to customize a description for the store if it will be used in the mall directory page. A hidden store would not use this information.
• Security User Group - (default is null) Select from the drop-down list, a user group for this store. The Administrators group is given full access to all stores. If you need to create a new users group, return to the Administrator Menu and click on 'User Groups'.
• Multiple Domains - (default is null) The web server path is automatically inserted with the creation of a new store. This can be changed, but make sure the path physically exists. If a store has its own domain name, then enter the domain name or IP address. If the upload directory changes from default, enter a physical path to the store's directory. Select Yes if there is an SSL certificate installed under the new store's domain.
• Wizard Settings - Select all the wizards that this store will have access to use from the multiple selection box. You can change the default wizards for any store by following the legend.
  
• After administration setup, return to the 'Merchant Menu for 'New Store'. Click on the 'Company' link to change global color and font face preferences and company information. It is important that the company email is correct because automatic order notification (if enabled) will be sent to this email address. The headers and footers are for custom HTML that can be applied globally (ie: copyright notice). All modifications in the company fields are temporary until you press 'Finish'.
  
• If an active shipping class was selected through administration, then the custom shipping methods should be entered with appropriate charges.
  
• If taxes for particular states need to be calculated, then add them as needed.
  
• Inventory must be entered before the wizards can be viewed. You can quickly begin by adding one category, then one group, then one product. Activate all. Use these for your templates to create additional groups and products. Use the wizards at each level to customize the output and make each page look perfect. Wizard options may include font sizes, image alignment, number of columns per table, number of products per page, and many more. After the templates are created you can select one and press '+Add' to make a copy. All fields have been designated with Required, Optional, and/or HTML is OK to use.
  
• Categories - Use categories if you have many groups to differentiate. A small store would normally have only one category that is not used. A large store would have navigating (browsable) category pages with additional wizard options as well. Images and/or Group Title links can be displayed with or without a short description.
• Groups - Also termed 'sub-category'. These can be titles for grouping your products together. Group pages are navigating (browsable) if you have more than one and the navigation bar is active. Group wizards output small product images and/or product titles with or without a short description. A purchase can be made from the group page if selected.
• Products - There is no limit to the number of products that can be under any one group. The minimum a product needs is a title and price. Additional fields that can be used: product id# (sku), retail price, unit, weight, sorting, table border width, and up to three levels of product options. A product has a short description that can be used on the previous group pages, a standard description for the product detail page, and a large description that will generate another product page of extended detail (optional).
• Options - New options can be added for up to three levels. Each option can have its own title, option id#, price, and sorting. An option can be activated, deactivated, editable, or deleted if unused. A custom option header will be shown on the product detail page if used.
  
• Final steps include customization of the home page and/or directory page from the 'Web Pages' link. Web pages can be of three types: a home page (only one), a directory page (only one), or a general page (unlimited). Begin with a home page and add your custom html into the fields as provided. There are three main fields that can be used, however, if a wizard is selected, one of the fields should be left blank. If you decide to use a html editor to design a custom page, just remember to only copy the source code between the starting and ending body tags.