Management Center user interface

The Management Center user interface provides a usable, intuitive, and efficient way to complete your business tasks.

The user interface is differs depending on the version installed:
WebSphere Commerce Version 7.0.0.0

Version 7

Here is the Management Center user interface at a glance:


Management Center user interface screen capture containing numbered labels for different components
1 Management Center menu
Use this menu to open the Management Center Catalogs, Promotions, Marketing, Assets, and Tasks tools. You can also open the Preferences dialog and access the Getting Started from here.
2 Tool tabs
Each Management Center tool opens in a separate tab; that is, if you have all tools open, you would see the following tabs:
  • Catalogs, Promotions, Marketing, Assets, and Tasks.
3 Banner
The banner is the top area or header of the user interface, and identifies the Management Center user, the log out link, and the branding logo. This area also displays the names of the task and workspace when you are working on a task or content.
4 Store list
Switch to another store by selecting the down arrow next to your current store name. This list also contains a search option, which you can use to find a store.
5 Find area
Search for objects by typing a keyword and selecting a search object type from a list. You can also select the advanced search option to refine your search.

For more information, see Finding objects in Management Center.

6 Menu bar
The Management Center includes four menus within the menu bar: File, Edit, View, and Help. All actions supported by the Management Center are within the menu bar.

For more information, see Getting help.

7 Toolbar
Click a button on the toolbar to quickly perform a task. The toolbar actions are a subset of the most common tasks you can perform using the Management Center.
8 Explorer filter
Within the Catalogs tool, you can filter the explorer view to display your top-level object.

For more information, see Using the explorer view.

9 Explorer view
The explorer view allows you to navigate the objects with which you want to work. The entire frame is the explorer view. You can expand and collapse the nodes in the explorer tree to view and work with objects. For example, you can expand a catalog until you reach the catalog SKU level. The explorer view always includes the Search Results node (to allow you to return to a list of results at any time) and Active Work node (to show the objects you currently have open). To toggle the explorer view on or off click Hide or Show Explorer View.

For more information, about how to use the explorer view see Using the explorer view.

10 Main work area
The Management Center main work area is controlled by what you have selected in the explorer view and is displayed in the middle (largest) area of the user interface. The main work area can display information in three views: list view, properties view, or calendar view. You can also split the main work area (horizontally or vertically) so that you can see two views at once.
11 List view
One of the three views displayed in the main work area. A list view lists objects in the form of a table. You can view the list and select a specific row to see more details. You can also reorder, hide, show, or resize columns. If information is editable, you can click the cell and edit on the spot. To make multiple changes throughout a table more efficiently, you can update several cells in the same column at once with the same value.
For more information, see the following topics:
12 Properties view
One of the three views displayed in the main work area. A properties view shows details about an object and is where you can edit the object. The properties view can contain entry fields, check boxes, radio buttons, lists, tables, pull-down sections, and tabs. You access the properties view from either selecting to create a new instance of an object, or by selecting an existing object from a list view.
13 List view filter
You can filter a list view to display only specific information. For example, list only SKUs, or list everything but SKUs for the catalog.
14 Status bar
The status bar is the bottom area or footer of the user interface, and includes messages, access to the message console (by clicking Message Console button), and a progress indicator.

For more information, see Recovering from errors.

15 Utilities view
The utilities view allows you to locate and use objects that you want to reference or use with your current object, without navigating away from the current view. For example, while editing a product, you want to include a reference to another product as a cross-sell item. Use the utilities view to search for merchandising association items, and then drag an item from the utilities view to the merchandising association tab of the source product. The utilities view includes three functions: search (to find objects by a system search), browse (to find objects by looking within a directory structure or hierarchy), and clipboard (a container to hold objects for later use). To toggle the utilities view on or off click Open the utilities view.

For more information, see Using the utilities view.

Feature Pack 1

Feature Pack 1

Here is the Management Center user interface at a glance:


Management Center user interface screen capture containing numbered labels for different components

Each part of the Management Center user interface is defined below:

1 Management Center Tools menu
Use this menu to open the following Management Center tools:
  • Catalogs, Promotions, Marketing, Assets, Installments, and Tasks.

You can also open the Preferences dialog and access the Getting Started from here.

For more information, see Changing your preferences.

2 Tool tabs
Each Management Center tool opens in a separate tab; that is, if you have all tools open, you would see the following tabs:
  • Catalogs, Promotions, Marketing, Assets, and Tasks.
3 Banner
The banner is the top area or header of the user interface, and identifies the Management Center user, the log out link, and the branding logo. This area also displays the names of the task and workspace when you are working on a task or content.
4 Store list
Switch to another store by selecting the down arrow next to your current store name. This list also contains a search option, which you can use to find a store.
5 Find area
Search for objects by typing a keyword and selecting a search object type from a list. You can also select the advanced search option to refine your search.

For more information, see Finding objects in Management Center.

6 Menu bar
The Management Center includes four menus within the menu bar: File, Edit, View, and Help. All actions supported by the Management Center are within the menu bar.

For more information, see Getting help.

7 Toolbar
Click a button on the toolbar to quickly perform a task. The toolbar actions are a subset of the most common tasks you can perform using the Management Center.
8 Explorer filter
Within the Catalogs tool, you can filter the explorer view to display your top-level object.

For more information, see Using the explorer view.

9 Explorer view
The explorer view allows you to navigate the objects with which you want to work. The entire frame is the explorer view. You can expand and collapse the nodes in the explorer tree to view and work with objects. For example, you can expand a catalog until you reach the catalog SKU level. The explorer view always includes the Search Results node (to allow you to return to a list of results at any time) and Active Work node (to show the objects you currently have open). To toggle the explorer view on or off click Hide or Show Explorer View.

For more information, about how to use the explorer view see Using the explorer view.

10 Main work area
The Management Center main work area is controlled by what you have selected in the explorer view and is displayed in the middle (largest) area of the user interface. The main work area can display information in three views: list view, properties view, or calendar view. You can also split the main work area (horizontally or vertically) so that you can see two views at once.
11 List view
One of the three views displayed in the main work area. A list view lists objects in the form of a table. You can view the list and select a specific row to see more details. You can also reorder, hide, show, or resize columns. If information is editable, you can click the cell and edit on the spot. To make multiple changes throughout a table more efficiently, you can update several cells in the same column at once with the same value.
For more information, see the following topics:
12 Properties view
One of the three views displayed in the main work area. A properties view shows details about an object and is where you can edit the object. The properties view can contain entry fields, check boxes, radio buttons, lists, tables, pull-down sections, and tabs. You access the properties view from either selecting to create a new instance of an object, or by selecting an existing object from a list view.
13 List view filter
You can filter a list view to display only specific information. For example, list only SKUs, or list everything but SKUs for the catalog.
14 Status bar
The status bar is the bottom area or footer of the user interface, and includes messages, access to the message console (by clicking Message Console button), and a progress indicator.

For more information, see Recovering from errors.

15 Utilities view
The utilities view allows you to locate and use objects that you want to reference or use with your current object, without navigating away from the current view. For example, while editing a product, you want to include a reference to another product as a cross-sell item. Use the utilities view to search for merchandising association items, and then drag an item from the utilities view to the merchandising association tab of the source product. The utilities view includes three functions: search (to find objects by a system search), browse (to find objects by looking within a directory structure or hierarchy), and clipboard (a container to hold objects for later use). To toggle the utilities view on or off click Open the utilities view.

For more information, see Using the utilities view.

Feature Pack 2

Feature Pack 2

Here is the Management Center user interface at a glance:


Management Center user interface screen capture containing numbered labels for different components
1 Management Center Tools menu
Use this menu to open the following Management Center tools:
  • Catalogs, Promotions, Marketing, Assets, Installments, and Tasks.

You can also open the Preferences dialog and access the Getting Started from here.

For more information, see Changing your preferences.

2 Tool tabs
Each Management Center tool opens in a separate tab; that is, if you have all tools open, you would see the following tabs:
  • Catalogs, Promotions, Marketing, Assets, and Tasks.
3 Banner
The banner is the top area or header of the user interface, and identifies the Management Center user, the log out link, and the branding logo. This area also displays the names of the task and workspace when you are working on a task or content.
4 Store list
Switch to another store by selecting the down arrow next to your current store name. This list also contains a search option, which you can use to find a store.
5 Find area
Search for objects by typing a keyword and selecting a search object type from a list. You can also select the advanced search option to refine your search.

For more information, see Finding objects in Management Center.

6 Menu bar
The Management Center includes four menus within the menu bar: File, Edit, View, and Help. All actions supported by the Management Center are within the menu bar.

For more information, see Getting help.

7 Toolbar
Click a button on the toolbar to quickly perform a task. The toolbar actions are a subset of the most common tasks you can perform using the Management Center.
8 Explorer filter
Within the Catalogs tool, you can filter the explorer view to display your top-level object.

For more information, see Using the explorer view.

9 Explorer view
The explorer view allows you to navigate the objects with which you want to work. The entire frame is the explorer view. You can expand and collapse the nodes in the explorer tree to view and work with objects. For example, you can expand a catalog until you reach the catalog SKU level. The explorer view always includes the Search Results node (to allow you to return to a list of results at any time) and Active Work node (to show the objects you currently have open). To toggle the explorer view on or off click Hide or Show Explorer View.

For more information, about how to use the explorer view see Using the explorer view.

10 Main work area
The Management Center main work area is controlled by what you have selected in the explorer view and is displayed in the middle (largest) area of the user interface. The main work area can display information in three views: list view, properties view, or calendar view. You can also split the main work area (horizontally or vertically) so that you can see two views at once.
11 List view
One of the three views displayed in the main work area. A list view lists objects in the form of a table. You can view the list and select a specific row to see more details. You can also reorder, hide, show, or resize columns. If information is editable, you can click the cell and edit on the spot. To make multiple changes throughout a table more efficiently, you can update several cells in the same column at once with the same value.
For more information, see the following topics:
12 Properties view
One of the three views displayed in the main work area. A properties view shows details about an object and is where you can edit the object. The properties view can contain entry fields, check boxes, radio buttons, lists, tables, pull-down sections, and tabs. You access the properties view from either selecting to create a new instance of an object, or by selecting an existing object from a list view.
13 List view filter
You can filter a list view to display only specific information. For example, list only SKUs, or list everything but SKUs for the catalog.
14 Status bar
The status bar is the bottom area or footer of the user interface, and includes messages, access to the message console (by clicking Message Console button), and a progress indicator.

For more information, see Recovering from errors.

15 Utilities view
The utilities view allows you to locate and use objects that you want to reference or use with your current object, without navigating away from the current view. For example, while editing a product, you want to include a reference to another product as a cross-sell item. Use the utilities view to search for merchandising association items, and then drag an item from the utilities view to the merchandising association tab of the source product. The utilities view includes three functions: search (to find objects by a system search), browse (to find objects by looking within a directory structure or hierarchy), and clipboard (a container to hold objects for later use). To toggle the utilities view on or off click Open the utilities view.

For more information, see Using the utilities view.

Introduced in Feature Pack 3

Feature Pack 3 and later versions

Here is the Management Center user interface at a glance:


Management Center user interface screen capture containing numbered labels for different components
1 Management Center Tools menu
Use this menu to open the following Management Center tools:
  • Introduced in Feature Pack 3Catalogs, Promotions, Marketing, Assets, Installments, Store Management, Catalog Filter and Pricing, and Workspace Management.
  • Feature Pack 5 or laterCatalogs, Promotions, Marketing, Assets, Installments, Store Management, Catalog Filter and Pricing, Workspace Management, and Page Layout.
  • Feature Pack 7 or laterCatalogs, Promotions, Marketing, Assets, Installments, Store Management, Catalog Filter and Pricing, Workspace Management, Page Layout, and Commerce Composer.

You can also open the Preferences dialog and access the Getting Started from here.

For more information, see Changing your preferences

2 Tool tabs
Each Management Center tool opens in a separate tab. If you have all tools open, you would see the following tabs:
  • Introduced in Feature Pack 3Catalogs, Promotions, Marketing, Assets, Installments, Store Management, Catalog Filter and Pricing, and Workspace Management.
  • Feature Pack 5 or laterCatalogs, Promotions, Marketing, Assets, Installments, Store Management, Catalog Filter and Pricing, Workspace Management, and Page Layout.
  • Feature Pack 7 or laterCatalogs, Promotions, Marketing, Assets, Installments, Store Management, Catalog Filter and Pricing, Workspace Management, Page Layout, and Commerce Composer.
3 Banner
The banner is the top area or header of the user interface, and identifies the Management Center user, the log out link, and the branding logo. This area also displays the names of the task and workspace when you are working on a task or content.
4 Store list
Switch to another store by selecting the down arrow next to your current store name. This list also contains a search option, which you can use to find a store.
5 Find area
Search for objects by typing a keyword and selecting a search object type from a list. You can also select the advanced search option to refine your search.

For more information, see Finding objects in Management Center.

6 Menu bar
The Management Center includes four menus within the menu bar: File, Edit, View, and Help. All actions supported by the Management Center are within the menu bar.

For more information, see Getting help.

7 Toolbar
Click a button on the toolbar to quickly perform a task. The toolbar actions are a subset of the most common tasks you can perform using the Management Center.
8 Explorer filter
Within the Catalogs tool, you can filter the explorer view to display your top-level object.

For more information, see Using the explorer view.

9 Explorer view
The explorer view allows you to navigate the objects with which you want to work. The entire frame is the explorer view. You can expand and collapse the nodes in the explorer tree to view and work with objects. For example, you can expand a catalog until you reach the catalog SKU level. The explorer view always includes the Search Results node (to allow you to return to a list of results at any time) and Active Work node (to show the objects you currently have open). To toggle the explorer view on or off click Hide or Show Explorer View.

For more information, about how to use the explorer view see Using the explorer view.

10 Main work area
The Management Center main work area is controlled by what you have selected in the explorer view and is displayed in the middle (largest) area of the user interface. The main work area can display information in three views: list view, properties view, or calendar view. You can also split the main work area (horizontally or vertically) so that you can see two views at once.
11 List view
One of the three views displayed in the main work area. A list view lists objects in the form of a table. You can view the list and select a specific row to see more details. You can also reorder, hide, show, or resize columns. If information is editable, you can click the cell and edit on the spot. To make multiple changes throughout a table more efficiently, you can update several cells in the same column at once with the same value.
For more information, see the following topics:
12 Properties view
One of the three views displayed in the main work area. A properties view shows details about an object and is where you can edit the object. The properties view can contain entry fields, check boxes, radio buttons, lists, tables, pull-down sections, and tabs. You access the properties view from either selecting to create a new instance of an object, or by selecting an existing object from a list view.
13 Status bar
The status bar is the bottom area or footer of the user interface, and includes messages, access to the message console (by clicking Message Console button), and a progress indicator.

For more information, see Recovering from errors.

14 Utilities view
The utilities view allows you to locate and use objects that you want to reference or use with your current object, without navigating away from the current view. For example, while editing a product, you want to include a reference to another product as a cross-sell item. Use the utilities view to search for merchandising association items, and then drag an item from the utilities view to the merchandising association tab of the source product. The utilities view includes three functions: search (to find objects by a system search), browse (to find objects by looking within a directory structure or hierarchy), and clipboard (a container to hold objects for later use). To toggle the utilities view on or off click Open the utilities view.

For more information, see Using the utilities view.