ICE:eCommerce is a plug-in component that can be used to eCommerce enable static websites. Once implemented, it provides a manageable online Catalog that is linked to a Payment Gateway and Task Management System. This allows organisations to quickly bring their products and services into an online environment so that they can manage enquiries and subsequently process orders. This component consists of a number of tools:

Category System / Product Management / Stock Control

The system allows the user to define product and service types to cater for most business applications. Each of these types can have user defined fields so that any sales or service item can be properly recorded on the system. Displaying these items (products/services) is controlled through the use of templates that can be modified or new ones created to cover any branding requirement. Each item can also be linked to other items to form either optional accessories or mandatory pre-requisites. Multiple display templates can be created for each item type so that users can see a summary or more detailed view.

Locating a specific item can be achieved in a number of ways. Firstly, a category system allows the creation of an online catalog. This category system is a hierarchical tree that can be developed in a freeform fashion by the system administrator and items  can be placed in none, one or more categories.  Visitors to the site can then "drill down" through the categories to find what they are looking for. Secondly, the component contains search facilities so that users can simply enter their criteria to see a list of matching entries.

There are a number of controls over displaying items including switching specific items or categories on (visible) or off (hidden) as well as displaying them for a certain timeframe, from one date to another. It is also possible to display items until a certain stock level is reached, after which, the items can be shown as "out of stock" or "limited availability".

The component comes with a stock system that can be used to better manage the inventory. This supports triggers for limited availability/out of stock levels and Re-ordering. When one of these triggers is reached, jobs can be created on the task system so that the Administration is aware that action needs to be taken. These tasks can also be generated as email tasks. 

The stock maintains historical data so that you can view sales statistics over time and the use this information to fine tune re-order levels.

Pricing Control

The component contains a multi-currency pricing system that can be varied based on quantity as well as customer level. This means that you can have different prices per unit depending on how many are purchased and your better customers can be given different units costs as a form of VIP pricing.

Order Processing / Task Management

Whenever an action takes place such as an order is made or a stock trigger level is reached, a task is automatically created so that the order can be properly addressed. This task, which can also be emailed, contains all the required details for any further processing that need to take place. In the case of an order, this would mean all the purchase and buyer details.  Tasks also have a status that can be changed as the order or task is dealt with. Tasks can be delayed for a number of days, put on hold, assigned to other people or closed. If tasks are not handled within a certain timeframe, they can be automatically upgraded in urgency which would cause them to be flagged for management action.

User Management / User Wish lists

The component contains a full user management system that allows users to maintain and update their details, recover lost passwords and create wish lists. These lists are items that the users may wish to purchase at a later date. Placing the items on a wish-list makes them easier to locate. User Management can also be used by the system administrator to send bulk emails and to change user levels. If problems had been experienced with a specific user, a tag can be placed against that user so that any orders they place can be flagged.

Payment Gateway Integration / Secure Certificates

As part of the component, we can either provide payment gateway integration through our existing providers or we can integrate with third party services. If we are hosting the service, we also provide secure certificates so that sensitive user data, such as credit card details, is encrypted when entered by the user.