Express questions

[Artisan]

I've looked at http://www.actinicexpress.co.uk/ and I wanted clarify a couple of things...

It looks like Actinic Express can only be hosted by Actinic themselves - is that correct or can an Actinic hosting partner host it?

The "Actinic Express Affiliate Programme" is free to join, but there's no mention of that under "Actinic Service Partner Programme" at http://www.actinic.co.uk/ecommerce/programmes.htm, I assume there'll be a charge for this?... or is it covered by a partners' existing initial payment?

Malcolm

[pinbrook]

The Actinic Service Partner Programme offers partners the opportunity to both host and sell the complete range of Actinic products, including Actinic Express.

From this I assume that partners will be able to host express, but i suspect there will be a charge for a development pack. Similar to Actinic Shared SSL.

Thats my guess.

[jont]

Is it possible to modify the templates at all or are they fixed?

Is there a bulk upload/feed facility in the first instance to get the site going or is it solely browser based 1 product at a time?

I can see a real potential for developers to create an initial site, upload and then hand over the reins to the client who can easily add and remove products whilst paying a flat fee for hosting etc.

[cdicken]

It looks like Actinic Express can only be hosted by Actinic themselves - is that correct or can an Actinic hosting partner host it?Initially we are just going to be hosting it ourselves, but longer term, we see this as being something that can also be handled by our hosting partners.The "Actinic Express Affiliate Programme" is free to join, but there's no mention of that under "Actinic Service Partner Programme" at http://www.actinic.co.uk/ecommerce/programmes.htm, I assume there'll be a charge for this?... or is it covered by a partners' existing initial payment?Full details of the affiliate program will be announced in the new year. All we are really saying at the moment is 'there will be an affiliate program for Actinic partners'. Watch this space for more details.

[cdicken]

Is it possible to modify the templates at all or are they fixed?We have provided a range of the popular Actinic themes for people to use for their store designs. We are also offering a design service to clients for a small additional cost where we will take their existing site design and apply it to their Actinic express store.Is there a bulk upload/feed facility in the first instance to get the site going or is it solely browser based 1 product at a time?At the moment, it is one product at a time via the browser. It really is aimed at people with small stores.

Hope that helps.

[pinbrook]

Affiliate schemes hold very little interest to me. I will be interested in Express when I can host it myself.

[jont]

Affiliate schemes hold very little interest to me. I will be interested in Express when I can host it myself.
Similarly if the ability for me to modify templates to suit a specific clients needs and bulk feed to get the store going and then hand over to the client to maintain would be of great interest.

I have several clients using alternate carts as they can't justify the expense/power of Actinic at the moment or don't have the technical savvy to add use the software. Express sounds ideal for them but in effect would cut me out of the equation for the most part.

[cbarling]

The idea of the partner affiliate scheme is to be attractive - else it's not worth doing for either party.

So we're not talking about a one-off payment, we're talking about ongoing revenue.

I can't give any more details now (more in January) as there are various details to be ironed out and we need changes to the internal admin to support it properly.

As I say though, hopefully it will be of interest once it is announced.

Chris

[pinbrook]

Is there any news on this yet?

I've got time to do some work on myown website, just thought I'd stsart to offer this , if the detail is there

[cbarling]

We're running a little behind schedule on the technical front (we need to automate the whole process).

However, it is being worked on while we speak. Hopefully we will be fully up and running end Feb/early March.

Chris