Pre-Sale Questions about AC7

[keats76]

Hello All,

My company is evaluating our options for .NET shopping carts. It looks like you've got a real winner here! I have a few questions about advanced functionality and AC7.

1) Do you know of anyone that has integrated the AC7 release (or prior) with an Oracle ERP system? This will be one of my tasks. I'd like to update the ERP system as each transaction takes place (perhaps via the Oracle XML Gateway), but I might have to resort to batch updates every night. I'm not sure yet.

2) My company needs the ability to have dynamic pricing. This would be somewhat similar to your kit objects, but we manufacture the end product so each will have a custom, automated quote. I'd imagine I'll need to create and then integrate a quoting module with AC7, but just in case something like this exists, I figured I'd throw this one out there.

3) I'm assuming I'll need the source to accomplish my needs. When will that be available for AC7? I'll be starting up my project within the next month or so, and I figure I'll need source access pretty soon.

I like the looks of everything and I'm looking forward to being a regular member here.

Thanks,
Mike

[AbleMods]

1) Do you know of anyone that has integrated the AC7 release (or prior) with an Oracle ERP system? This will be one of my tasks. I'd like to update the ERP system as each transaction takes place (perhaps via the Oracle XML Gateway), but I might have to resort to batch updates every night. I'm not sure yet.

I am currently doing a nightly XML data feed update that syncs all my AC7 store products with a distributor database via HTTPS. I could have (easily) made it so the sync occured JIT as product page requests are made by visitors. I just didn't want to risk affecting the visitor experience in the event the distributor site is slow, down etc.
Having the host system local in the case of your ERP would make this very feasible.

2) My company needs the ability to have dynamic pricing. This would be somewhat similar to your kit objects, but we manufacture the end product so each will have a custom, automated quote. I'd imagine I'll need to create and then integrate a quoting module with AC7, but just in case something like this exists, I figured I'd throw this one out there.

Variable pricing support is completely built-in to AC7. However in your case, the price is more "custom" than "variable." Your custom quoting module would just need to populate the price value. The easiest way to do it would be after the order is added. You could also do it during the checkout process.

3) I'm assuming I'll need the source to accomplish my needs. When will that be available for AC7? I'll be starting up my project within the next month or so, and I figure I'll need source access pretty soon.

I've been making mods on everything from data feed imports to integrating google maps into product pages, all without the source code. Since it's an ASP.Net 2.0 app, you get all the source pages, user controls etc uncompiled and ready-to-modify. My understanding is the "true source code" is only needed if you want to highly customize the payment processors or underlying ADO.Net class structures. The compiled classes provided are extremely rich in functionality, so modifications really aren't necessary until you want to go all-crazy on tweaking it.

Most everything on the front-end is a standard user control on the back-end. So making changes is remarkably easy once you get the hang of the data classes.

Hope that helps

[keats76]

Joe,

I noticed that AC was hiring ... they should pick you up and put you on the sales team . I think it would be nice to have the source in case I ever ran into any "gotchas," but everything you said made sense. I think I'll go ahead and start evaluating AC7 (sans source).

Any idea if the code could be obtained after the initial purchase of the AC7 install (as a separate item)?

Thanks again!
Mike

[keats76]

It looks like only AC5.5 is available to download for demo. Is there another link where I can download the AC7 package, or is it not available to the general public yet?

[AbleMods]

Able would have to answer this better, but I believe the AC7 is an online demo and not a download.

You register for the demo and they create a complete sample storefront site on their system for you to play with at your leisure.

[Shopping Cart Admin]

Hello,

We haven't released the downloadable evaluation yet. It will be available just after the first of the year. In the meantime we are offering a risk free 30 day money back guarantee, so if you find it won't work for you it can be returned.

[keats76]

Thanks for all of the great info. From my cursory view, it looks like you've architected a very nice solution here and I can't wait to get my feet wet.