IBM AS/400e User Handbook Manual page 696

IBM Licensed Programs: Application Development Products
WebSphere Payment Manager also includes Administration Tools that allow the seller to
query orders to view payment status, process payment once the order is shipped, and
process reversals. For more information, see "IBM WebSphere Payment Manager for
AS/400 V2.1, 5733-PY2" on page 667.
• Lotus Domino Integration: Support for messaging and collaboration through Lotus
Domino integration is included. This provides a generic e-mail function to allow Lotus
Notes e-mail (such as an order confirmation to the buyer) to be sent from
Net.Commerce. It also provides a discussion group and bulletin board capabilities.
Net.Commerce for AS/400 Version 3 also contains:
• Advanced Catalog Tools: Advanced Catalog Tools can be used to create intelligent
catalogs. Now sellers and catalog providers can cater to the various shopping styles
and buying behaviors of their customers through their smart electronic catalogs. These
intelligent catalogs can provide quick and easy search methods and also acknowledge
that a buyer can need extra guidance in making a product selection. A virtual sales
assistant can reside in the catalog to help shoppers through the product selection
process. Buyers can browse a smart catalog and become more knowledgeable of the
product before making their purchase decision or simply find the right product quickly.
The foundation for building an intelligent catalog is provided by the Advanced Catalog
Tools . This foundation combines knowledge engineering and a parameter search method.
Knowledge engineering allows the catalog provider to embed knowledge of their best
sales and marketing personnel into the catalog. The parameter search feature provides
quick access to products meeting the criteria specified by the parameters. This foundation
includes a comparison function to allow comparing a desired set of products and their
features. At any level within the intelligent search process, a side-by-side product features
comparison can occur.
The Advanced Catalog Tools enable buyers to create and integrate shopping metaphors.
These shopping metaphors enable buyers to explore product features, obtain assistance
from a virtual salesperson, and compare product information.
The product exploration mode of shopping is a parametric search. Buyers select the
features or specifications to identify the desired products. The feature can be equal to a
specific value or be within a given range. Exploration occurs as the buyer is allowed to
select and "deselect" specifications throughout the process. This parametric search
quickly narrows the search from thousands of products to only a handful.
The sales assistance metaphor provides a question and answer dialog to identify the best
product. This dialog can be tailored to help in gift selection and can service the buyer who
knows very little about the product area. A buyer can use this virtual sales assistant to
cover all areas prior to making a purchase decision.
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AS/400e System Handbook