Kryptronic Software Support Forum

CrownRoyal wrote:

just my two cents here...
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If you, as a software customer of CCP, have to go through and edit your own special software scripts that you designed (or had designed) to communicate with the CCP dB structure, well, that's the price you incur for creating your own scripts to work with someone else's software.
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I'm a strong believer in using technology to streamline our work and keep costs down.

The database is a valuable resource to integrate other features and functions into a well designed, streamlined business. To have to replicate database elements (e.g., product inventory and pricing) is redundant which wastes time and money.

In a perfect world, you'd have one database from where your ecommerce store, accounting department, sales, marketing, dealers, retail store cashier, etc. can pull data. You'd manage data in only one spot.

That reduces time, error and money.

Thus, creating a static database structure from where other programs can call data is valuable. E.g., I've extended the CCP databases to include an inventory table where the new inventory levels and prices are loaded. A program updates inventory and new prices in all the databases for all stores, CCP5.1, CCP6, and other apps. That takes a couple minutes compared to hunting and pecking through the interface of several websites to change the data. Accounting has a program that retrieves data for their purpose. And, our dealers pull data from the database as needed to keep their records updated.

If the database structure changes, then you waste time and money to adjust other applications that use that database.

If the database structure remains static (or grows by adding fields/tables as necessary), then Kryptronic can increase their product line by offering satellite programs.

From reading forums, I see that every store is unique with unique demands. I've worked with clients seeking software to meet their needs [and wishes], and no one software package will provide any client with exactly what they want. You just need to go out and find a package that is close to what you want. And, if needed, find one that can be further customized for your needs. Good and effective support is critical. These are reasons why I use Kryptronic software.

However, as noted above, because of the major structure changes with newer versions, I've decided to keep most stores in CCP5.1. That's a loss of revenue for Kryptronic because we didn't upgrade all stores. (This was discussed elsewhere in more detail.)

On the issue of cookies and SID, I agree that the SID in the URL can be completely removed. The forum has several posts about your clients in this and other versions who accidentally copied the SID into a link. Search engines pretty much hurdled the issue of the parameters in a URL. This is more of a security and customer service issue to make it easier for your clients and their customers.

The best software is written for the novice (WYSIWYG, easy to customize the look, easy to turn on and off features, and most importantly, is intuitive or written in common language, not programmer-ese) and has the power for the client with advanced skills in addition to the other issues Kryptronic addressed in the program (security, fast running, etc).

Like other ecommerce software packages, CCP has a ways to go to meet this ideal program, but when they do, it'll be powerfully expensive.

Maybe the way to go is to have two versions, one for the novice and another for the power user - with a static database.

Now, take on the day and make some money.

Last edited by Blitzen (06-13-2009 09:58:40)

Cool.  A great idea so CCP owners can choose.  Thanks Nick!