The following features and enhancements were released by Solid Cactus eCommerce on August 17, 2011. If you are a Solid Cactus eCommerce merchant, more information on these changes can also be found in your recently updated user guide.
Global and Category Attributes
This release extends our attribute functionality to include category and global attributes in addition to our popular product attributes. The new attribute types will allow for greater flexibility in custom store design. Using global attributes, merchants will be able to add images or custom values to store templates, or custom pages that can later be replaced with new content without having to go back and modify the template code.
In addition, global attributes can be merged into broadcasts and autoresponder emails.
- By merging a global attribute into an email, merchants can reuse previously sent emails and easily replace content areas without having to update template code directly.
- This is especially helpful for merchants using a lot of autoresponder campaigns.
- By constructing autoresponders using global attributes, they can be managed in bulk by changing content globally.
- For example if you had a “Deal of the Week” email campaign, you would only need to update the deal details in one place which will ultimately update all related campaign emails.
USPS Changes
USPS Real-Time Shipping rates are being updated to include product dimensions in rate calculations and all products will now have a new ‘Dimension’ field to support this change.
- Upon launch, all products will be given a 1″ x 1″ x 1″ dimension, forcing rates to calculate based on weight as it has previously been calculated.
- Although many merchants will never have to use the new dimension field on products, it will provide those that do need it more flexibility to control the actual shipping rates charged to customers.
- Over 40 USPS methods will now be supported, including First Class options.
- For now, the new ‘Dimension’ field will only be valid for USPS shipping calculations.
