AShop Internet Marketing Newsletter - March 2006

Greetings from the crew at AShop Internet Marketing!

IMPORTANT! The admin/resources.php link, which was added in version 4.2.6, is now used to distribute version updates and patches. One more general update to active registered users will be provided by emailed password and download link. After that, all updates and patches will be distributed through the AShop Deluxe administration panel by clicking on the Version icon or link, which is in the admin/index page. After March 2006, all patches and updates will be distributed only through the AShop Deluxe admin panel.

Note to AShopCart.com and AShopWebHosting.com subscribers: Installation of AShop Deluxe software patches and updates is always free by request for domains and subdomains that are hosted on our servers.

Version Updates - AShop Deluxe

The AShop Deluxe 4.3.1 patch was released on February 24, 2006 through the admin panel updates link. This patch will be visible to active registered users with version 4.2.6 or higher. An update notice with link and password was also sent by email today. The emailed update notice is for sites to update from versions starting with 4.2.0 (before the updates were available through the admin panel). The patch and update notice are only available to customers with active registered AShop Deluxe license keys. If you did not receive the patch or update notice and believe that you should have, please let us know. If it has been over a year since you have purchased an AShop Deluxe key or support and updates renewal, then the free service may have expired. A link to renew annual support and updates is included below in this message.

Here are highlights of new features, which were added from version 4.3.0 to 4.3.1
For a complete list of version notes, see the following link.
http://www.ashopsoftware.com/update/release-notes.html

The category tree, which is generated by catalogue.php is now portable. It may be omitted from the catalogue.php pages and may also be included separately in HTML pages.

A copy of the original receipt, which is sent to each customer upon receipt of payment, is saved and can be viewed from Sales Reports. Now the receipt is also viewable from each customer's order history.

The whole message that is generated for the send gift feature in the admin panel can now be edited in the textbox and uses tokens to include download information. This makes it possible to send gifts in any language or just to customize every part of the message that your customer receives.

There are now two new tokens that can be used in the Thank You message, which appears after payment is completed: %password% will be replaced by the download/subscription password and %keycodes% which will be replaced by the unlock keys for each order.

Added LinkPoint SSL module which will let users of LinkPoint Connect/Basic who have access to an SSL certificate use their own payment form instead of the one that LinkPoint provides.

The gateways that use the orderform.php script to collect credit card information can now have custom fields included on the payment form. These can be edited by clicking the link "Edit List" for the payment option in the admin panel.

Version Updates - eMerchant
eMerchant is a shining success. It saves time and money by organizing customers, orders, and vendor related information within one centralized, multi-user, web accessible resource. Here are highlights of new features added to eMerchant from version 4.3.0 to 4.3.1. For complete version notes use the following link.
http://www.ashopsoftware.com/update/emerchant.htm

Added option to credit returned products in quotes/orders. Credits for returned products are looked up and calculated based upon the product data. Returning a product is exactly the opposite for adding a product, except that it does not generate a purchase order for vendor products. Product credits add negative shipping amounts to the shipping total at the bottom of the quote. The shipping total is then editable and can be overwritten with a specific value before saving or sending the quote or converting it to an order.

Our mailform.php script replaces the need for free formmail.php and formmail.cgi scripts, which are prone to hacking and highjacking. The eMerchant mailform.php script uses a security number feature, which stops automated form submissions and it cannot be highjacked because it does not send mail. Instead, form submissions are posted directly to the eMerchant inbox where they can be replied to, deleted, or saved. When replied to and/or saved, the messages are automatically related to each customer's history by the email address. It is a built in spam proof system to receive form posts and to organize customer and order related information all in one place. eMerchant will also fetch email from POP3 boxes if configured to do so. In this case, spam filtering must be done at the POP3 box.

Coming soon... Permission based incoming mail filter. Spam is a constantly growing nuisance. Spam filters are prone to mistakes and require constant attention. Permission based email receipt is a new method that is very effective, easy to use and does not require maintenance. Soon the eMerchant system will include an option to receive mail only from contacts who's email address is already on file. All other messages will be bounced back to the sender with an invitation to join by submitting the form one time. After initial contact through mailform.php, then email from that email address will be accepted by eMerchant. This new feature will be available in version 4.4.0 which is scheduled for June 2006.

Version Updates - Digital Mall
Digital Mall is installed and has been running on a few beta sites since last year. We are satisfied that the program is stable and reliable. License fees for Digital Mall will be decided within the next few weeks.
http://www.ashopsoftware.com/update/digital-mall.htm

New Tech Tips

Add Extra Form Fields To Payment Forms
Custom fields may be added to payment forms to collect customer information. The additional information is saved in each customer's history and may also be included in receipts and order notices.

Send One-Time Gift Product With Custom Message
Each product in the shopping cart has a Gift option. The gift option can be used to send a one-time gift of the product. The gift message body uses tokens so that it can be edited and completely customized while still including product download information for digital products.

Annual Renewal For Support and Updates
As of version 4.3.1 patches and updates are distributed through the Updates link, which is in the home page of the AShop Deluxe administration panel. When the support and updates contract period is current, a message in the (resources.php) window indicates the version status along with links to download recommended patches and updates. If the support and updates contract period is expired, the resources do not appear in this window. When support and uprates are renewed for another year, the renewal begins on the date that the previous contract expired. This date will be visible in the admin/resources.php window for your reference. Please contact us if you need assistance and/or are unsure about the status of your support and updates subscription.
http://www.ashopsoftware.com/search.php?searchstring=renew

Thanks again for choosing AShop!

Rob Harris
Director Webco Inc, dba AShop Internet
http://www.ashopsoftware.com/service/

AShop Internet Marketing - Our Mission
AShop Internet Marketing is a team of skilled IT professionals. We all have strong fundamental web development skills plus each of us has unique business related expertise. Together we possess over 50 years of experience in business development, marketing, sales, management, and teaching, with a strong foundation in computer technology. Our mission is to develop and implement ecommerce software and services, which serve the needs of businesses by automating redundant tasks, organizing data, and increasing efficiency.

We currently offer the following software products and services.
AShop Deluxe - Automated Shopping Cart Software
eMerchant - Customer Service and Order Management System
Digital Mall - Individual Member Shops or Main Mall Catalog For Digital Products (beta)
Web Hosting Service - Reliable and Fast Servers, 100% Up Time, 24/7 Monitoring
AShopCart - Automated, Turn-key Shopping Cart Service

AShop Internet Marketing is a division of Webco Inc. a Nevada corporation. We operate under the business names AShop Software, AShop Web Hosting, and AShopCart. All information and content, which is produced and distributed by AShop Internet Marketing is protected under National and International copyright laws and may not be reproduced or distributed without prior written consent.

Mailing Address
Webco, Inc. dba AShop Internet Marketing
848 N Rainbow Blvd #539
Las Vegas, NV 89107