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WebPoint is Intouch's proprietary web development environment for producing online eCommerce systems. It supersedes the PHP-based SuperCart that had been used prior to WebPoint for various subscribers, and builds on some of the best features from those earlier systems.
It came about because of a need to control the entire development environment to produce fast and robust solutions for projects such as Mammoth's Value Pass in 1998.
WebPoint is an ISAPI 'runner' using a Pacal based scripting proprietary to Intouch (similar to PHP). The tools and library components developed over the past years builds a powerful system integrated with the Intouch POS, CRM and Back Office applications similar to what can be achieved with applications like Cold Fusion. WebPoint has a limited graphical user interface. It is a low level system requiring programming skills to implement.
The purpose of this document is to outline in general terms the architecture, system modules and features of the WebPoint system, and to provide a basis for discussion when planning implementation details for a client.
WebPoint functionality is generally developed separate from the client's public internet site. Parts of the webpoint functionality can be imbedded into the public web site such as forms for:
- Subscription
- Contact Us
- Job Applications
- Request Information
- Comments
Shopping carts and Reservations agents generally 'shell' to a separate server running the eCommerce site in a secure environment these sites are 'skinned' with graphics and style sheets to complement the public internet site. For speed the graphics are stored on the eCommerce server but that can link to actual graphics on the public internet site so that the look and feel of the eCommerce site is totally under control of the designers of the public internet site.
Intouch contracts with clients for provide the eCommerce functionality as it involves integration with client's sensitive client data, IT infrastucture and proprietary Intouch components with which web designers are not familiar or cannot be licensed. Intouch works closely with web designers to make sure that there is a seamless as possible experience for web users and the most cost efficient solution for the client.
Where appropriate Intouch does undertake the entire design of a client public web site using WebPoint. This service is attractive to clients who have sites with dynamic data (extracted from data bases) that changes frequently or requires content management by many individuals (as opposed to sites that use predominantly static pages.
WebPoint is also used throughout the Intouch system to provide web based reporting, Intranet functionality and customisation of applications.
WebPoint is a configurable, programmable, and flexible system to implement eCommerce web sites for clients.
It is implemented as an ISAPI extension to IIS providing a Pascal-like scripting language similar to the way ASP and PHP work: before
a page is sent to a client, it is processed by WebPoint.
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