ecommence usability for adminstrators

[ryulite]

does anyone know where can i get more resources for the creating a better online store software for the adminstrators??

[Guest]

Lynn,

 

There are contributions that change the main screen interface, beef up attributes, add WYSIWYG editors for text entry, etc. What are you looking for?

 

ed

[Guest]

Lynn,

 

There are contributions that change the main screen interface, beef up attributes, add WYSIWYG editors for text entry, etc.  What are you looking for?

 

ed

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Those are features. They have nothing to do with true useability. Making the interface more intuitive and natural is what will enhance useability. MS3 comes further in making this happen but isn't quite there yet. The software needs to be able to do things like update all prices in a category at the click of a button, have better order handling including the adding and true editing of orders, better customer management, inventory capabilities and less reload times. On of the best things that could be included into the admin is to make use of the XMLHTTPREQUEST object in javascript so that information can be sent and retrieved without reloading the page. This would make a quick order entry feature available instead of the chaotic ways implemented for admins today. Today's options either have you browsing the front-end which is too time confusing or selecting from a dropdown list which is impractical if you have several hundred or several thousand products.

 

There is probably a lot more that could be included as well.

[Guest]

Wayne,

 

Some of them are features. The Admin page contribution does make the page more useable. My point was to draw out what Lynn meant by "better". Maybe she is looking for intuitive usability or new features or speed or ?

 

ed

[ryulite]

guys thanks for the reply

what i meant is that where can i get advice on making a e-commence software like os_commence better or rather much more easy to use for system adminstrators.

[ryulite]

instead of saying easy to use i would re-phrase it to easy to manage

[ryulite]

I am a student doing on a research.Can anyone who is using an e-commerce online store.. tell me what is the thing that would make you(as an adminstrator) happy in having in a ecommerce online.

 

Ignore the rest that i have post above. but if you have any news on where i can get some useful tips on a good ecommerce online store for adminstrators , it will be welcome also/

[exobrain3001]

On of the best things that could be included into the admin is to make use of the XMLHTTPREQUEST object in javascript so that information can be sent and retrieved without reloading the page.

 

XMLHTTP is great but gets real messy. Better to drop the whole web based admin/data entry concept all together.

[♥bruyndoncx]

Lyn,

 

Are you asking what/how an eCommerce online shop management system should look like or behave to make the administrator (user of the back-end software) happy to use it ?

 

If this is the question, doesn't it come down to what are the typical factors involved in making a usable system and rate/prioritize them in light of the typical administration needs of an online store ?

 

So what do we do with a shop

- initial setup - once off, not a biggie

- create/manage the catalog categories

- add products with their images in bulk lots at the beginning less during operation of the store

- desactivate products (out of stock or no longer selling)

- update prices in bulk (eg manufacturers list price changes on Jan 1st)

- update stock figures

- add/update specials (promotions)

- process orders, receiving payment, packing & invoicing ..

 

- order from your suppliers, receive delivery, add stock and new products

 

On the marketing side

- provide news updates to our customers

- create and send out newsletters

- track succes of marketing campaigns

- feature products, provide nice copy

 

On the finance side

- invoicing, integration with accounting package

 

On the service side

- handle customer questions and complaints

- provide updates on order status

- return materials management & warranty

 

Like anyother application, all functionality should be available in less than 3 clicks and performance wise, screen refreshes for inhouse user should be as fast as possible and definitely less than 3 seconds. At 5 seconds it's too slow to work with all day long. Customer (over the internet) threshold is at about 8 seconds, higher is considered slow, 15 secs and no one will use your site. (ofcourse these numbers will be slightly higher for dialup internet users, as they are accustomed to a slower internet)

 

BTW, if you look at SAPs eCommerce offering Internet Sales Application (ISA) you have a pretty complete checklist of what it takes to run a store succesfully in all it's aspects.