Elite starter store functions

The Elite starter store enables you to customize the options in your store. You can enable or disable any of the features, as your store requires.

When you publish the Elite starter store, many optional features are enabled by default. For example, there is a field on the store's Registration page that asks customers to specify their gender. If you do not want this field to be displayed in your store, you can remove it.

Review the Elite starter store site flow diagram.
Review the available configuration options in this topic.
Configure the options for your store:
- Some users might not have enough time to complete form information; because the default session timeout is 30 minutes. To allow users enough time to complete the form, a store administrator can change the session timeout properties in the wc-server.xml file to another value. The default value, as shown in the following snippet, is 1800000 milliseconds:
```
<LoginTimeout enabled="true"> 
    <Timeout display="false" value="1800000"/> 
</LoginTimeout>
```
  Based on W3C and IBM standards, setting the limit to 20 hours passes accessibility standards. For information see, http://www.w3.o../UNDERSTANDING-WCAG20/time-limits-required-behaviors.html. Increasing the limit to 20 hours might cause a security issue.
  You can update your store by applying the interim fix for APAR JR44149 to provide shoppers with the capability to extend their session pass the 30-minute timeout limit. When a shopper nears the 30-minute timeout, a window displays with option for the shopper to extend the length or their session. When a shopper selects to extend the session, the session limit is reset for another 30 minutes.
  The interim fix is no longer required to resolve this timeout limitation. By default, the Aurora and Aurora extended sites starter stores display a message to shoppers when they near the 30-minute timeout and provide the option to extend the session.
- Some users might not have enough time to complete form information; because the default session timeout is 30 minutes. To allow users enough time to complete the form, a store administrator can change the session timeout properties in the wc-server.xml file to another value. The default value, as shown in the following snippet, is 1800000 milliseconds:
```
<LoginTimeout enabled="true"> 
    <Timeout display="false" value="1800000"/> 
</LoginTimeout>
```
  Based on W3C and IBM standards, setting the limit to 20 hours will pass accessibility standards. For information see, http://www.w3.o../UNDERSTANDING-WCAG20/time-limits-required-behaviors.html. Increasing the limit to 20 hours might cause a security issue.
- Changing store flows
- Selecting store functions

The following features can be customized by using the change flow options in your Elite starter store:

Customer interactions
Registration
Catalog
Orders
Checkout
Account
Analytics

Customer interactions

Select the Web 2.0 features that customers can use in your store.
Feature	Description	When to use	Implications	Enabled by default
Product Quick Info	Displays additional product details, such as the product name, price, short description, and SKU in the Product Quick Info pop-up. Customers can also use this pop-up to specify a quantity and add the product to the current order, a requisition list, or the compare zone without leaving the currently viewed store page.	When you want to display an additional presentation of the product information without leaving the current page and navigating to the product details page.	None	Yes
Ajax add to shopping cart	Add items to the current order without leaving the current page.	When you want the customer to remain on the current page after you add an item to the order.	None	Yes
Ajax checkout	Automatically apply changes that are made to the current order.	When you want changes to be automatically applied to the order, for example, updating the quantity, without using an update button.	None	Yes
Ajax My Account	Automatically apply changes that are made on the My Account page.	When you want a partial page refresh for the account pages, instead of refreshing the entire page after changes or selections are made.	None	Yes
Product drag-and-drop	Add items to the current order or compare zone by using the mouse. Note: This feature is automatically disabled if the mini shopping cart and compare zone features are disabled.	When you want to enable customers to drag-and-drop items into the mini current order zone, or the compare zone, instead of selecting the option for each item.	None	Yes

Registration

Select optional fields to display on the Registration and Change Personal Information pages.
Feature	Description	When to use	Implications	Enabled by default
Preferred language	Registered customers can select the language in which to display the store.	The store is available in more than one language.	Ensure that product descriptions and names are entered for each supported language in the store.	Yes
Preferred currency	Registered customers can select the currency in which to display product and item prices.	Customers can purchase merchandise in more than one currency.	Ensure that currency exchange rates are set for all supported currencies in the store. Use one of the following methods to set exchange rates: Add entries in the CURCONVERTtable. Enter the product prices in all supported currencies.	Yes
Gender	Registered customers can submit their gender in the Registration and Change Personal Information pages.	The store uses marketing campaigns that target customers based on gender.	Ensure that the store creates marketing campaigns.	No
Require new users to provide age information	Registered customers can submit their age information when they submit their personal information. The form options are: Date of Birth Age	The store uses either Date of Birth or Age to specify customer age information, but not both. The store uses marketing campaigns that target customers based on age.	Ensure that the store creates marketing campaigns.	No
Mobile phone number and SMS notifications opt-in	Registered customers can submit their mobile phone number and opt-in for SMS notifications about order status and promotions in the store.	The store supports SMS order status notifications and marketing messages.	Ensure that the store creates marketing campaigns.	No
Send me information about store specials	Send promotional email to customers. You must configure your email accounts and activities by using WebSphere Commerce Accelerator to send promotional email to customers.	The store uses promotional email campaigns.	Configure your email accounts and activities to send an email to customers.	No

Catalog

Select whether customers can search the catalog and compare products.
Feature	Description	When to use	Implications	Enabled by default
Search in the store	Customers can search the store catalog.	The store catalog is large enough that searching the catalog based on keywords provides useful search results.	None	Yes
Product comparison	Side-by-side comparing of up to four products by using the compare zone.	When you want a compare feature in the store so that customers can compare products with similar attributes.	Ensure that the store has enough items with similar attributes. Note: Display of multiple values for the same attribute in a catalog entry is enabled by default.	Yes
Display inventory availability	The product display pages can show the inventory availability next to the product.	The product display pages can show the inventory availability next to the product.	None	Yes
Product rankings	Displays product rankings in the store, such as best sellers or top browsed products.	When you want to promote popular products in the storefront.	Ensure that the Marketing activities are set up for product rankings.	No
Browsing history	Displays the customer's browsing history in the storefront, for example, on selected catalog pages and My Account.	When you want to promote recently browsed products in the storefront.	None	No
Category subscriptions	Enables customers to subscribe to categories and subcategories that interest them.	When you want to promote specific categories to customers.	Ensure that the Marketing activities are set up for category subscriptions.	No
Search-based navigation	Enables enhanced search capabilities in the storefront such as spelling correction, automatic search term suggestions, search term highlighting, wildcard searching, and facets in search results.	When you want to enable enhanced and targeted search capabilities in the storefront.	Ensure that your WebSphere Commerce search index structure is built and its data populated. Note: Search-based navigation is enabled by default after you publish the Elite enhancements store archive. WebSphere Commerce search is automatically set up and the search index is built. However, the site content search index subtype is not setup by default and must be manually built. You must manually set up WebSphere Commerce search and build the search index. For more information, s Administering WebSphere Commerce search. If you do not want to use search-based navigation, you must turn off this store function in the Store Management tool after you publish the store archive or you get errors on the storefront. Note: You must restart your WebSphere Commerce server when you change the store function value for Search-based navigation.	No

Orders

Select order-related features available to customers in your store.
Feature	Description	When to use	Implications	Enabled by default
Quick Order	Customers can place an order with the store without browsing through any other store pages. For example, a customer can add more than one item to the current order by using a single page. Items can be added to the current order by entering the SKU number and quantity of each product into the quick order form.	When customers are likely to know the SKU numbers of the items they want to order. For example, if the store sends out paper catalogs, the customer can enter the SKU number (as printed in the catalog) in the quick order form.	Customers should know the SKU numbers in advance.	Yes
Wish list	Customers can maintain a list of items that they want to order in the future. They can send this wish list to family and friends by using email.	The store enables every registered customer to keep one list as their wish list.	None	No
Requisition lists	A requisition list is a reusable list of items that is used to create orders later. Customers can create requisition lists of items that they order frequently and use it to periodically reorder these items.	The store enables every registered customer to have multiple lists to track potential products to acquire. It also enables all users in the same organization to view a shared requisition list.	None	Yes
Mini shopping cart	Display current order items and the current order subtotal in the store header.	When you want customers to see the order total in the header of the store.	None	Yes
Order status tracking	Customers can track the status of their orders. For example, a customer can see when an order is awaiting approval, processed, or scheduled to be processed.	The store updates the order status during payment authorization, capture, and fulfillment.	If the store does not update the order status, ensure that you disable this field. The value that is displayed in this field might provide misleading information to customers when the order status is not updated.	Yes
Multiple saved orders	Customers can work with multiple saved orders. For example, a customer can create a new empty saved order, make copies of existing saved orders, cancel existing saved orders, and set a saved order as the current order.	When there is a need for customers to save an order and submit it later.	None	Yes
Schedule orders	Customers can schedule an order for the date on which the order occurs.	Enables customers to specify an interval to resubmit the same order.	None	Yes
Expedite orders	Customers can choose to expedite items in their order.	Enables customers to request for expedited shipping for items in their order.	None	Yes

Checkout

Select checkout features available to customers in your store.
Feature	Description	When to use	Implications	Enabled by default
Multiple shipments	Customers can choose multiple shipments for an order. For example, a customer can ship items within an order to multiple shipping addresses. Customers can also choose to ship items within an order by using multiple shipping methods. For example, a customer can ship one item by using Express mail and all other items by using Regular mail.	The multiple shipments option is enabled in the store.	If this option is disabled, customers can ship an order only to a single address, by using a single shipping method.	Yes
Shipping charge type	Customers can choose the shipping charge type for items in an order. The available shipping charge types are dependent on the shipping charge types that are specified in the contract for the buying organization.	The shipping charge type can be set up in the contract.	None	Yes
Future shipping date	Customers can specify a future shipping date for items in an order.	Enables customers to request a shipping date.	None	Yes
Shipping instructions	Customers can provide special shipping instructions for items in an order.	Enables customers to request special shipping instructions with their order.	None	Yes
Promotion code entry field	Customers can enter a promotion code on the checkout pages.	The store uses promotions.	None	Yes
Promotion choice of free gift field	Enables a pop-up that customers can use to choose from a list of free gift options.	The store uses the free gift promotion.	None	Yes
Punch-out payment	Enables a payment model where a third-party payment service provider processes payments for orders.	When you want to offer alternative payment methods in the checkout flow.	You must have an account setup with a third-party payment service provider	No

Account

Select account features available to customers in your store.
Feature	Description	When to use	Implications	Enabled by default
Organization participant	Customers that play the organization participant role in multiple organizations can choose to shop by using the business account of the selected organization.	Enables the same user to participate in multiple B2B buyer organizations.	The Account Participant Role must be added to the user by using the Organization Administration Console.	Yes

Analytics

Select Analytics features to use for your store.
Feature	Description	When to use	Implications	Enabled by default
Enable analytics integration	Enables the analytics tags that exist in the store JSP pages, such as the `<cm:pageview />` tag.	When you want to send analytics data to IBM Digital Analytics, formerly known as Coremetrics Analytics.	You must have an account that is set up with IBM Digital Analytics.	No
Enable IBM Product Recommendations integration	Enables a set of e-Marketing Spots that support the display of dynamic recommendations on store pages for IBM Product Recommendations, formerly known as Coremetrics Intelligent Offer. This check box is selectable only after you select Enable analytics integration.	When you want to display dynamic recommendations from IBM Product Recommendations in e-Marketing Spots.	You must have an account that is set up with IBM Digital Analytics and subscribe to IBM Product Recommendations.	No