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This page contains a detailed description of the functionality provided in a standard e-commerce implementation with Clarity Connect developed website and Clarity Console® tools.
The e-commerce system consists of three distinct systems that when used together provide our client with the ability to manage a product and SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) database, view and fulfill transactions via the Clarity Console, and allow our client's customers the ability to create a shopping cart and complete a transaction on the client's CCI developed website. These three systems are:
Since the Product Database Manager can be purchased independently, please refer to the sales materials for specifics on that product. This document will focus on the Front End components and the Clarity Console Store Manager.
Terminology used in this document:
Client: The company or individual that has contracted CCI to develop the e-commerce website.
End User/User: The individual using the CCI developed website to purchase the client's products or services.
E-commerce Worksheet: A simple worksheet that the client completes for CCI that specifies values and options for certain customizable parts of the system.
The point of entry to the e-commerce system for the end user is generally a welcome page with introductory text followed by some method of browsing the product or plant catalog. The catalog is generated dynamically based on the information in the Product or Plant Database Manager tools. The requirements for this area vary greatly from client to client, depending on the size of the product offering and what types of products are offered. For example, a vendor that sells one widget only might have the details of that widget and a link to add to cart right on the welcome page. Whereas a client that sells toys might have an elaborate search mechanism for narrowing down the item list from 10,000 items in the database to 25 items the end user might be interested in. In any event, the general flow is:
Once a product is added to the user's cart, the user is taken to the "View Cart" display which allows the user to change quantity, remove a line item, continue shopping, calculate freight charges or proceed to the checkout.
Once the user is satisfied with their shopping cart and clicks "Secure Checkout," they enter the checkout "wizard," which is a four-step process where they enter shipping and billing information (or retrieve that information from a saved account) and lastly review and confirm their purchase. This part of the system is standardized, and although changes to the process can be made per client requirements, these changes will be quoted as additional development work and are not included in the standard package.
Checkout Step 1: Create Account or Sign In to Existing Account (Figure 2)
In this first step, the user is asked if they are a first time shopper or a returning customer. Returning customers can log in using the email address and password they provided when they first created their account. Standard functionality also includes a "Forgot Password" function that will send the password on file to the email address provided. The login and/or create account can be skipped if you allow your customers to purchase online without creating an an online account. We can provide the option to create a store account by entering only a password at the end of the purchase process. Having an account allows your customers to complete their online purchases more quickly with you in the future.
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Figure 1. Items in shopping cart. Buyer can continue shopping, or proceed to secure order.
Checkout Step 2: Shipping Information & Billing Information (Figure 3)
The user enters their billing and shipping information. If appropriate, the buyer can use the billing information as the shipping information with a click of the mouse. If the user is logged in to an existing account, the form is pre-filled with the last used values. The user submits billing information for the transaction via this secure form. If they chose to store their credit card on file, it will be automatically added to the form.
For first time buyers, the address information is pre-filled with the information provided in the previous step (shipping info). The user is also given the option to save the credit card info for future transactions. If they elect not to keep it on file, the credit card number and expiration are purged from the customer record as soon as the card is successfully charged.
If you have implemented the ability to purchase on terms functionality, authorized customers will be able to check out by selecting a "Purchase on Account" option. This function allows your customers to take advantage of all of the information found on the website and place orders 24/7. Once the order has been placed online, you can process it in the same way you process faxed or phoned in orders, or we can integrate the online ordering system so new orders are formatted for import into an existing business system.
Checkout Step 3: Confirm Order (Figure 4)
This display gives the user one final chance to review the order before it is entered into the system. In addition to the subtotal, two additional charge adjustments are added: tax, if applicable, and the shipping and handling charge. There is also a control for changing the shipment method, if the client wishes to offer multiple options for shipping.
Rules for tax calculation are completely customizable to the client's requirements and should be submitted to development via the e-commerce client worksheet.
Shipping options and rules for handling charges are also completely customizable. Our standard solution includes real time shipping calculations based on package weights from UPS for the following services: Ground, Three Day Select, Two Day Air, and One Day Air in the continental United States. For an extra charge, we can also implement solutions for FedEx, USPS, or your custom shipping options/formulas.
Lastly, the display provides a free text input for the customer's comments and/or instructions.
Checkout Step 4: Print Order Confirmation (Figure 5)
When the user clicks the "Complete Transaction" button we will store the credit card information in a secure database.
At this point a receipt is displayed on screen. An e-mail is also generated and sent to the end user with the details of the transaction and a link to the receipt.
Finally, an e-mail is sent to a predefined list of e-mail addresses notifying the client that a new order has been received. This list of notification addresses should be provided to CCI in the e-commerce client worksheet.
The Store Manager is a set of utilities that the client uses to review pending orders, print packing slips, secure payment, mark orders as complete and view customer list. There are various other functions as well, as outlined below.
Main Index & Order Lists
The main index of the Store Manager has links for generating lists of orders. Incomplete Orders displays a list of all orders that have not been marked as complete, sorted by date (newest first). Completed Orders displays a list of all orders that have been marked as complete, sorted by date (newest first). Search Orders (fig. 7) presents the client with a search form for generating a customized list of orders based on the following search criteria: Order Number, Ship State, Ship Last Name, Order Date Range, Status (Incomplete/Complete).
Order List
The order list (fig. 8) shows the following columns: Order Number, Order Date, Ship Address, Ship Date, Payment Date, Subtotal, Shipping charge, Adjustment amount, tax and total.
Clicking on the order number opens the order details.
Order Detail
The order detail (fig. 8) shows all information about the order and has the following navigation to access functions related to the order:
Guidelines for Establishing SSL & Payment Processing Software for Online Credit Card Transactions
In order to process online orders (accept donations, etc.), you must have a merchant account, an SSL, and online payment processing software. If you are currently accepting credit cards, you have a merchant account in place. If you do not have a merchant account yet, please contact your preferred bank to set up the account. The fees associated with establishing these items are your responsibility.
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer)
This is an Internet security standard which allows companies to do business online with a secure connection - the closed "lock" within a browser. For secure sites, the http:// has an "s" at the end for "secure" https://
SSL provides the necessary security through a data encryption program to ensure online visitors that their personal information, including credit card account numbers, is being transmitted securely between their browser and a web server. This means their data can't be viewed, intercepted, or altered.
CCI offers two primary SSL options Quick SSL and QuickSSL Premium. The main difference between the two is the Premium version comes with an SSL seal to place on your site.
If you want to provide your online visitors with more than an enabled "lock" within their browser, a QuickSSL seal may increase the confidence level of buyers. However, CCI believes the Quick SSL version is sufficient.
Quick SSL Fees
1 Year $59
2 Year $100 (recommended)
3 Year $142
Clarity Connect will set up your SSL certificate for you. All you need to do is tell your account manager if you want QuickSSL or QuickSSL Premium and which term you prefer. CCI will include this purchase in your next invoice.
In order to process online purchases paid for with credit cards and bank cards, you must purchase the appropriate software to process the transactions. Our proposal is based on using Authorize.Net. They are a reliable and reasonably priced supplier. Applications for the Authorize.net service are usually processed in two working days but can take longer depending on the type of transactions being processed. We have implemented a number of different card processors, but if a different supplier is utilized, we will bill extra implementation time at $85/hour.
