Glossary

Administration area
All the Web pages that the technical administrator can use after login to fulfill his responsibilities. Each role in the system works in a separate area within the hierarchy in order to clearly separate responsibilities.
Administration page
The Web page that appears after signing in where all functions are performed. You can access all the functions you need from this page. The Administration navigation, menu bar, sidebar, and the working area are displayed here.
Administrator
A role in the ePages structure. The administrator selects an appropriate shop type from those made available by the business administrator/provider, and uses this to offer his content or products to customers. He can define structure and design of the Web site.
Application server
In this context, this is an instance of the ePages program. One computer can contain several application server instances. This is done by starting the ePages Windows service.
An application server can also be a server that provides a number of services or programs within a network. In our case, this is the server on which the ePages application runs.
Business Administrator
A role in the ePages structure. The business administrator creates shop types on the basis of the business units made available by the technical administrator, and offers these to administrators. He is responsible for designing and implementing the business model.
Business Unit
Unit consisting of a database and its assigned cartridges. The functions in the cartridges provide the functionality of the business unit.
Cache
Data storage cache in the application server. Data that are repeatedly needed are stored here. This prevents repeated database queries and significantly reduces response times.
Cartridge
Software module written in PERL. Each cartridge has defined functions that can be combined to allow creation of business units with various functions.
Cookie
A small file containing text information that is sent from a Web server to a Web browser. This information is saved on the hard drive and can be retrieved later. Cookies are often necessary for Internet applications. See also Session Cookies
Demo shop
Initial Web shop installed with the application in the ePages system. Contains all functions and serves demonstration and testing purposes. Products, catalogs, shipping methods, and so forth are already created.
Distributor
Distributors here are providers or companies that offer and sell Web sites and online shops. The distributor requests business units from the technical administrator that match his business model. The business administrator then generates the requested shop types and conducts the additional administrative responsibilities in the ePages system.
Environment variables
Term from the operating system area of computers. An environment variable contains an arbitrary character string. In most cases this is a path to a specific program or it contains information which can be used by multiple programs.
Log File
Text file that the system uses to save actions and results. This is useful for tracking down causes of errors. You will find the file in ePages under: %EPAGES_LOG%\error.log
Menu bar
Active area with a structure of links for selecting specific functions (manager). In the program, it is shown on the top section of the administration page.
Navigation history
Navigation bar that shows how you arrived at your current location in the program. The individual hierarchy levels are shown as links so that you can go backwards one step at a time.
PERL
Practical Extraction and Reporting Language. ePages works with this programming language and the application server is programmed in PERL.
Self-provisioning
Process whereby a merchant 1) uses an Internet browser to select a shop type that fits his business model from a predefined collection of shop types and 2) activates and runs this shop. Login, activation, and selection of payment methods occur "automatically", meaning without direct intervention by the business administrator.
Session cookies
A session cookie is a piece of text that is written to the browser's memory when specific Web pages are opened (at the beginning of a session). This session cookie provides the authorization details needed for you to use all the functions on the Web site. After signing out or closing your browser (to end a session), the session cookie is deleted.
Shop types
Products the business administrator sells or leases to merchants or shop operators. Each shop type is offered with specific functions and usually also in various price classes. Merchants create their own shops by selecting from among these shop types.
Site
ePages 6 installation with database, cartridges, and demo shop.
SMTP server
SMTP is the abbreviation for "Simple Mail Transfer Protocol", a common protocol to send e-mail messages.
An SMTP service is used to send e-mail messages to any valid e-mail address. The SMTP server (which the SMTP service offers), performs two important tasks: First, it verifies (authenticates) the identity of persons or systems that try to access an SMTP account through login and password. It also enables sending e-mail messages after verification is performed. If the e-mail cannot be sent, it is returned to the sender with an error message.
Standard Password
Password which is used to log into the system the first time after installation. This should be changed directly after signing in for the first time.
Technical Administrator
A role in the ePages structure. The technical administrator installs the application and is responsible for updates and communication with support. If necessary, he defines business units as well.
Template
A document that contains information about formatting and page layout. All ePages templates contain standard HTML text and special commands for data access. HTML templates contain only text and use links to show graphics and multimedia files.
Web services
Web services provide communication between various Internet applications. They offer the ability to link applications that run on various platforms and are implemented in different programming languages, and also to transfer data between various applications.
Web services use standard Internet protocols to transfer data such as HTTP, SMTP, and FTP. HTTP is used most often because a direct reaction to the query is possible, while SMTP and FTP only allow asynchronous data transfer.
Web shop
An Internet program that contains all the functions necessary for selling products or services. In ePages 6, the shop is created based upon a shop type that the ePages business administrator has defined. The merchant generates a shop online, modifies the structure and design, and enters his products and services into the system to open his Internet sales channel.
Web site on demand
The administrator needs a shop with very specific functions for his business model, which are not offered by any of the predefined shop types. The business administrator prepares this configuration together with the technical administrator and creates this Web site especially for this customer.
Working area
The portion of the administration page in which data and tables are displayed and managed. The content is dependent upon the function selected in the navigation.