One of my clients is opening a retail outlet and requires epos software for in-store purchases. I am building a website for them, and ordinarily only work on the e-commerce side of things, however in this instance the client wishes both the store and website to share the data and use live stock levels, and ordering through one central database.
I have been pointed in the direction of MS RMS for the in-store operations however I'm struggling to find any information relating how to integrate MS RMS with the website so that the data can be shared.
At this stage the client is only sourcing a solution, and as MS RMS seems to be ideal, would like to go along that route but before I recommend it I need to know whether or not it is easy to integrate a website with it, or whether a 3rd party shopping cart will be required.
I have been a software developer for over 20 years so I'm not afraid of SQL or doing any coding myself I just need to know whether its possible or not. e.g. is there an API? Is placing an online order just as simple as calling a few stored procedures? or is really a case of hacking around in SQL tables hoping nothing blows up? Is there any documentation for developers to build RMS solutions or is that kept secret for MS Partners?
This particular function is not well documented even if you're a partner. Several have figured it out. If you are going to build your own e-commerce site, you should check out WebIntegrator from New West Technologies -
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There are several shopping cart applications that use this product to integrate with RMS, and they have always been very good about helping developers integrate their solution.
There's no way you can build your own integration for what New West charges, not to mention the headaches involved in hooking into RMS.
There are quite a few hosted solutions for creating an RMS web store. My personal favorite is NitroSell, but they all have pluses and minuses.
The unique thing about the New West solution is that they are just supplying the integration between a web store and RMS. You just need to write code to produce and consume their XML formats.
Thanks for the reply. I've been doing some further digging and already came across your suggestions earlier. In this instance, the client already has a datacentre available so a hosted solution isnt really required which leaves either hacking about with RMS myself or using something like you suggested which is obviously preferable.
If anyone can shed further light on taking the DIY approach it would be much appreciated.
RMScart is an eCommerce Cart solution that completely and seamlessly integrates with Microsoft Retail Management System (RMS).
Our Microsoft RMS integrated Shopping Cart solution?s standard features far exceed those of any other Retail Management System - compatible Web Integration and Authoring Application. Inventory synchronization between a physical store and a web store can be immediate or scheduled for a later time. Although, RMS cart is a feature rich application, we can easily further customize many features of RMS cart to fit one?s specific business needs.
Some of the advantages of our Microsoft RMS integrated eCommerce Cart Solution are:
· Customizable eCommerce Website · Scheduled Inventory updates between RMS and Online Shopping Store · Automatically Downloads Orders into RMS · Show Standard and Matrix items with multiple images · Accept payments through major payment gateways · Creates New Customer Records in RMS · Updates Shipping and Billing Information on each Customer · Uses the Existing RMS Tax Structure · Supports RMS Sale Pricing · Intuitive and effortless navigation · Powerful Search Engine Optimization (SEO) tools · FREE RMS cart setup, FREE training
RMS cart gives the ability to quickly create and manage an online store in combination with a brick and mortar retail operation running RMS. For either online businesses opening retail locations or retail stores adding online stores, Microsoft RMS and RMS shopping cart give any retail business a complete solution for maximum revenue in a global market.
RMS cart Solution, also known as Microsoft RMS ecommerce cart, has been developed by SIM Retail Solutions to bring together the leaders in Information Technology (IT) and experts in Online Store design, custom application and database programming.
Microsoft RMS integrated eCommerce solution offers features like no other. RMS cart?s web interface allows anyone to create a web store in just a few steps. Our team of professionals, at no additional cost, helps in creating a web store, selecting the products one wants to sell online, and launching the web store. The web store is built quickly and becomes an extension of any business, adding convenience and increasing revenue to the bottom line.
Microsoft RMS e-commerce solution, i.e, RMS integrated cart is the most powerful eCommerce cart for Retail Management System. A few clicks of the mouse on the Web Integrator interface and RMS cart creates product pages for all of the products in the Retail Management System database. Then, RMS shopping cart publishes those pages in the web store. From this point forward, the store owner is providing products to customers walking in to his store and online customers who are surfing the Internet anywhere around the globe.
E-commerce transactions are provided using the state-of-the-art in merchant systems from the leaders in the banking industry, at the lowest rates in the industry, and all electronic transactions are supported 24X7 at no additional charge. After the customer makes a purchase, a fully customized rich text email is sent to the customer?s email address confirming the order. This email contains information such as Order Confirmation and hyperlinks that take one?s customer back to the store to get additional information about their order status, order history or complementary and available products in his store.
With RMS integration, we provide unlimited FREE technical support, FREE setup, FREE training, one?s own domain, secure hosting, Search Engine Optimization, registration with Search Engines, maintenance, email boxes, Daily backups, storage, and 99.99% uptime.
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SIM Retail Solutions
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