Miva Merchant Storefront Catalog

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.

Overview of Features

Consumer and Business E-Catalogs

E-catalogs can be organized into pricing and availability groups to limit customer access to selected products and pricing.  Pricing can be displayed at retail or can be calculated as a markup over cost or a discount off retail.  E-merchants can use the grouping system to create retail, wholesale or specialized selling environments.  

Robust Product Attributes

Products can be configured with unlimited attributes such as size, optional features and personalization.  Each attribute can be a multiple choice, checkbox or text field and can cause an increase or reduction in price.  An attribute can be mandatory or optional.

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 Unix and Windows.  Investment in e-catalog development is protected when migrating to a different architecture.

Modular Architecture

The architecture of Miva Merchant is specifically designed so that developers and aftermarket vendors 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 be developed for the following sub-systems:

• Fulfillment
• User interface
• Shipping
• Payment
• Currency
• Sales tax
• Batch reporting
• Import/export
• Buyer traffic reporting
• Intercept system functions
  

Existing Site Integration

E-merchants who have already built sites in HTML can hyperlink directly into a Miva Merchant e-catalog.  Key e-catalog functions 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

Context sensitive help is available for each key field in the administrative interface.  Miva Corporation maintains an online users group with staff members who answer questions.