Is the new WebFacing tool the first step to Web enablement?
What levels of integration with current systems? High - otherwise we'll end up duplicating our complex RPG business logic (Order Entry & Inventory) into the front-end web site. Would any of the many 'catalog/shopping cart' merchant sites that you can outsource to fit the bill, or is your order entry system highly unique? I'd recommend against being too unique, because 99.9%+ of the sites that a surfer visits are NOT your site. Therefore, it doesn't make a lot of sense to try to get them to do something unique for your site... Do a search on your favorite site for "+web +shopping +cart". See if you can find a reputable one that offers what you need. See if it allows you to customize the look and feel, if it's secure, if it offers features you want, and how easily it can integrate with your existing systems. Given your budgets and staffing, you may want to concentrate on integration rather than roll-your-own. If those won't meet your requirements, the next level up might be to purchase and customize a package. Like I said, it depends upon your requirements, but if possible, you should leverage work that's already done to make it easier. Regards, Brian Singleton Midrange Computing
What levels of integration with current systems? High - otherwise we'll end up duplicating our complex RPG business logic (Order Entry & Inventory) into the front-end web site. Would any of the many 'catalog/shopping cart' merchant sites that you can outsource to fit the bill, or is your order entry system highly unique? I'd recommend against being too unique, because 99.9%+ of the sites that a surfer visits are NOT your site. Therefore, it doesn't make a lot of sense to try to get them to do something unique for your site... Do a search on your favorite site for "+web +shopping +cart". See if you can find a reputable one that offers what you need. See if it allows you to customize the look and feel, if it's secure, if it offers features you want, and how easily it can integrate with your existing systems. Given your budgets and staffing, you may want to concentrate on integration rather than roll-your-own. If those won't meet your requirements, the next level up might be to purchase and customize a package. Like I said, it depends upon your requirements, but if possible, you should leverage work that's already done to make it easier. Regards, Brian Singleton Midrange Computing
Comment