Sales Center: Overview of customizing IBM Sales Center

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Overview of customizing IBM Sales Center

In the IBM Sales Center for WebSphere Commerce there is a set of user interface panels, views and dialogs that contain the most commonly used features. You can add to or configure the user interface to suit the needs, as well as changing the content and format of the data that is passed between the client and the server.

What know before you start

To customize Sales Center, you should be able to use WebSphere Commerce Developer and you should know the following programming languages:

Understand the Eclipse framework, see Eclipse platform documentation.

Understand how to work with XML files. You will be able to perform simple modifications to the user interface, for example, remove a page from an editor, or change a key binding.

Java programming. You will be able to make moderate modifications to the IBM Sales Center, for example, customizing an editor or changing what data is passed between the IBM Sales Center client and server, you need knowledge of Java programming as well as working with XML files.

To perform extensive modifications, for example, adding a new editor and moving several user interface elements to the pages of this editor, you require a general knowledge of the Eclipse platform. In particular, it is critical to understand the use of extension points.

If you do not have the required skills, consider taking these courses:

Course description: IBM WebSphere Commerce V6 Hands-on Training for Developers In this 5-day instructor-led course, students build on the skills developed in course (SW868CE), Introduction to IBM WebSphere Commerce V6 Store Development, and learn how to customize the key features of IBM WebSphere Commerce V6 with Feature Packs 2 and 3.0.1. Optional appendices and exercises provide additional training in WebSphere Commerce by focusing on customizing IBM Sales Center and IBM Gift Center and Gift Registry.

DEV311: Essentials of Eclipse 3.0 for Java™ Development

DEV312: Essentials of Eclipse Plug-in Development

You should also have the knowledge described in the following table:

Required knowledge See
Understand features Sales Center provides for CSRs IBM Sales Center for WebSphere Commerce
Understand the Sales Center development environment IBM Sales Center development environment
Understand Sales Center architecture IBM Sales Center architecture
Understand the Sales Center user interface framework IBM Sales Center user interface framework
Understanding the IBM Sales Center for WebSphere Commerce's user interface framework
Understand Sales Center extension points IBM Sales Center extension points
Plan the modifications Plan a customization to the IBM Sales Center

Tutorials, samples, procedures, and courses

When you have the required skills and knowledge, and you are ready to customize Sales Center, you can choose one of the following procedures:

Topic What it contains
Tutorial: Customizing the appearance of the IBM Sales Center This tutorial shows you how to customize the appearance of the IBM Sales Center client with the default business logic. The modifications outlined in this tutorial do not require any corresponding changes on the WebSphere Commerce Server.
Tutorial: Adding a new search term in the IBM Sales Center In the IBM Sales Center, you can search for products by several search options, such as product ID and product name. This tutorial demonstrates how to add a new search option, called Manufacturer Part Number.
Tutorial: Extending a page in an editor This tutorial shows you how to extend a page of an editor in the IBM Sales Center. In this scenario, you allow Customer Service Representatives to enter gift card information in the IBM Sales Center client when capturing an order on behalf of the customer.
Tutorial: Adding a column to the order items table in the IBM Sales Center In this tutorial you modify the order items table in the IBM Sales Center to display an additional column.
Tutorial: Add an editable column to the Order Items table by creating a new widget manager The purpose of this tutorial is to demonstrate how to add an editable column to the Order Items table by creating a new widget manager.
IBM Sales Center samples: Actions, dialogs, editors and requests A variety of samples for

actions

dialogs

editors

requests

You can use these samples as a base for the Sales Center solution.
Deploying and Customizing IBM Sales Center for WebSphere Commerce V6 Various customization scenarios are illustrated in Part 4 of this Redbook.

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Required knowledge	See
Understand features Sales Center provides for CSRs	IBM Sales Center for WebSphere Commerce
Understand the Sales Center development environment	IBM Sales Center development environment
Understand Sales Center architecture	IBM Sales Center architecture
Understand the Sales Center user interface framework	IBM Sales Center user interface framework Understanding the IBM Sales Center for WebSphere Commerce's user interface framework
Understand Sales Center extension points	IBM Sales Center extension points
Plan the modifications	Plan a customization to the IBM Sales Center

Topic	What it contains
Tutorial: Customizing the appearance of the IBM Sales Center	This tutorial shows you how to customize the appearance of the IBM Sales Center client with the default business logic. The modifications outlined in this tutorial do not require any corresponding changes on the WebSphere Commerce Server.
Tutorial: Adding a new search term in the IBM Sales Center	In the IBM Sales Center, you can search for products by several search options, such as product ID and product name. This tutorial demonstrates how to add a new search option, called Manufacturer Part Number.
Tutorial: Extending a page in an editor	This tutorial shows you how to extend a page of an editor in the IBM Sales Center. In this scenario, you allow Customer Service Representatives to enter gift card information in the IBM Sales Center client when capturing an order on behalf of the customer.
Tutorial: Adding a column to the order items table in the IBM Sales Center	In this tutorial you modify the order items table in the IBM Sales Center to display an additional column.
Tutorial: Add an editable column to the Order Items table by creating a new widget manager	The purpose of this tutorial is to demonstrate how to add an editable column to the Order Items table by creating a new widget manager.
IBM Sales Center samples: Actions, dialogs, editors and requests	A variety of samples for actions dialogs editors requests You can use these samples as a base for the Sales Center solution.
Deploying and Customizing IBM Sales Center for WebSphere Commerce V6	Various customization scenarios are illustrated in Part 4 of this Redbook.