Overview
Miva Merchant is a browser based Storefront and Catalog development tool that integrates cataloging, product maintenance, category management, shopping basket, order and credit card processing. Multiple stores can be maintained by one central administrator or specific store functions can be delegated to sub-administrators. The software is organized as a series of modules that can be field upgraded to provide new functionality without any changes to the core system. Developers can use the browser based interface to build stores or can get "under the hood" with complete access to the underlying source codes written in XML based Miva Script. Merchants manage their stores with a user friendly browser based interface.

Feature Summary

Database Management
Thousands of categories and products can be maintained in Miva Merchant without sacrificing performance. The database architecture of the system provides for instant organization and fast product search while maintaining complete compatibility with other systems. You can use dozens of different database management tool to access Miva Merchant xBase compatible data files.

Cross Platform
All application and database files used by Miva Merchant are 100% cross platform and need no conversion to work with over seven different Unix platforms and Microsoft Windows 95/98/NT. Developers and merchants can protect their investment in catalog development if they have to switch to a different architecture. Also, Miva Merchant can be used with Miva Mia, the free personal version of the Miva Engine, providing a complete offline development environment: you can develop your store on your local PC, and only publish it when it's ready to go!

Modular Architecture
The architecture of Miva Merchant is specifically designed so that developers and aftermarket venders can implement their own customized modules around a common API. Once a module is developed, push button registration automatically integrates it into the main Miva Merchant system. Modules can also be registered with Miva Corp. for automatic promotion to all Miva Merchant licensees and prospects -- a great free service for developers, aftermarket venders, and merchants.

Modules can be developed for the following sub-systems:

Existing Site Integration
Developers who have already built sites in HTML can simply hyperlink directly into the Miva Merchant system. All of the Storefront functionality such as product lookup, category presentation, shopping basket, and order forms can be accessed as components of existing HTML based web sites.

Security
All sensitive data can be encrypted with SSL prior to transmission including order information both during the customer ordering process and subsequently during order processing. Multiple layers of login permissions allow a centralized manager the ability to grant store level permissions to different developers and merchants.

Online Help
New users can operate Miva Merchant in the novice mode with detailed prompting information about each field and overall information about screen usage. Expert users can toggle between prompt mode and silent mode for power editing.
For questions regarding operation, configuration or use, Miva offers users' mailing lists that are monitored by Miva support representatives to ensure that all problems are resolved within 24 hours.

Open System
Because Miva Merchant source code is completely available and it uses a web browser as its user interface, it is the most customizable solution on the market today. The entire system is based on a standards oriented architecture allowing for excellent integration with other software using industry standard protocols and interfaces.