Frequently Asked Questions

What is PromoStores?
 
PromoStores is a web-based e-commerce solution (and more!) that works with your ShopWorks OnSite system to take orders off the web without "double data entry". It's built-in "shopping cart" features are completely customized for our industry.

What do you mean by "e-commerce"?
 


"E-commerce" is a broad technology term that basically means "doing business over the World Wide Web (WWW)". PromoStores is an e-commerce solution. It has built in shopping cart features that allow you present product on the web, and take and process orders for that product. These sales orders are then brought into your OnSite system without having to manually enter them.


What is meant by a "dynamic" web site?
 


In the "old days" (early 1990's!) if you wanted to make a web site you had to know "HTML" programming language. Creating and maintaining a web site was a technical, labor intensive process. Even worse, these web pages were essentially text documents...they could not interact with databases or other information. These are known as "Static" web sites.

As technology developed, the ability was added for web pages to interact with databases. This made business processes (like shopping online) much easier...for both the person using the web site and the person maintaining it.

PromoStores is dynamic in that all of the site maintenance (adding and changing pages or product) is maintained by a program you access through a web browser. This makes maintaining your site MUCH easier and cheaper. More importantly, you can change your site often, keeping it new and interesting for your end-users.


Is PromoStores for online shopping only?
 
Absolutely not. PromoStores is a full-featured web tool that INCLUDES online shopping. Many companies use PromoStores for their entire web site. Click here for a full feature set.

How does PromoStores work with my OnSite system?
 


PromoStores is a web-based application that resides in a web server and is accessed through the Internet. OnSite is a network-based application that resides on your server and is accessed over your network.

Each is a separate database, but they work together in two main ways:

1. Product information is exported from your OnSite system and is uploaded or updated to your PromoStores site. The same product that is viewed on your web site is also in your OnSite system.
     
2. When orders come in from your web site they are brought into the OnSite system in a semi-automatic or "batch" fashion using the OnSite EDP (External Data Processor). This means orders coming in from the web site will NOT have to be manually entered into your OnSite system. For more information on how the OnSite EDP works please see your manual or call technical support.




Do I have to own ShopWorks OnSite to use PromoStores?
 


No. Anyone can purchase a PromoStores system and use it for their web site or to process orders from the web. However, by using OnSite in conjunction with PromoStores you get all the benefits of the systems working together. It is likely that PromoStores will not be as integrated with other accounting or business management software packages.


Is my PromoStores web site hosted and support by ShopWorks?
 


ShopWorks provides all of the support for PromoStores. Instead of designing the PromoStores product from scratch, we teamed with one of the leading suppliers of Internet stores and had them modify their existing product to our industries needs.

Netsential is a Texas-based technology company that has been designing and hosting dynamic database products for over 10 years. All PromoStores sites are hosted on their redundant and secure servers.


Is PromoStores customizable?
 


Yes. Unlike other ShopWorks products you can have features added to PromoStores specifically for your needs. Although this can be an expensive process, certain projects may be cost-effective. Please email Jay Malanga with your needs and we will contact you to set up a phone appointment and provide a quote.


How fast can my PromoStores be up and running?
 


Fast. Once you have purchased a Domain Name (this is the name of your website...i.e. www.joestees.com) we can have your site up and running in a few days.


What is a "Domain Name" and how can I get one?
 


Your "Domain Name" is the web address people will us to access your web site. For example, "shopworx.com" is our Domain Name and you access it using the internet by typing "www.shopworx.com" into your browser.

Unlike some other shopping cart products, PromoStores allows you to use your own domain name. This gives you the opportunity to "brand" your site instead of having it be a sub-site of someone else's domain.

Once purchased, Domain Names are your property so long as you pay a small fee each year. You can purchase a domain name from many vendors, each of which have their own pricing. We recommend using www.dotster.com. They are inexpensive, and have great tools for searching and registering for available names. Once you have a name call us and we will show you how to point it to your PromoStores web site.