ViArt Shop v2.5.5 released

We are happy to announce the availability of ViArt Shop v.2.5.5, the latest release of ViArt e-commerce shopping cart. Since the previous version we have made some improvements and extended its functionality.

The main features include:

• Totally new Forum
• WYSIWYG HTML Editor
• Messages Editor
• Knowledge base

Forum



The new version has a multi-level structure with unlimited number of categories, forums and topics nested as deep as you like. This allows covering all issues your customers are interested in while keeping things in order. You can assign moderators, add small/large images and short/full descriptions. Setting up administrator and customer e-mail notifications will help you to have an eye on forum's progress, whereas automatic statistics will show its popularity.


WYSIWYG HTML Editor



For your convenience we have added a WYSIWYG HTML Editor (an acronym for 'What You See Is What You Get', a graphical interface that generates HTML markup but displays the document as if viewed with a Web browser). Now, editing is as easy as a pie.

Note: If you are used to our standard editor you can specify this at Administration > Global Settings


Messages Editor



Now you have the ability to edit the messages your customers see while surfing your site without the necessity to edit any files. All you have to do is to choose your default language and section you want to edit messages in. You can add new messages as well.

Please use this option as another way to customize your online store and fit it to your needs.


Knowledge base



It often happens that your customers ask the same questions and support department managers have to reply again and again. Surely they can use predefine replies. But there is another way now. Why not to share information with others? You can simply add the ticket to Knowledge base and it will be shown as an article. No need to say that all article features (e.g. categories, descriptions, reviews etc) are preserved.


And some more features:

• Checking for active payment systems before submitting order
  Orders won't be submitted if there is no active payment system. The error message "Sorry, but there is no active payment system" will be displayed.
• Formatting helpdesk messages
  Previous messages are shown with a vertical bar in front of them, so it's much easier to understand the matter.
• Multi-level menu functionality
  Now you can create multi-level navigation system (Administration > Layouts > Silver (Enterprise) > Site Navigation)
• Ability to add ranks for helpdesk customers
  In case a customer is very important to you can set high priority for him or her and all his/her requests will appear with an exclamation mark (Administration > Support Center > Customers Ranks)
• Block_name and block_notes fields for custom blocks added
  Some administrative information can be added (Administration > Custom Blocks > Edit Block)
• Ability to show products from the bottom subcategories if appropriative option selected for parent category
  This can be useful if you have not many products (Administration > Products > Top > Edit Category)
• Ability to view/edit customers login details via admin panel
  (Administration > Site Users > Joy > Login Details)
• Problems with users import fixed
  (Administration > Import Users)

How to update your version

In order to update your current verion please follow the instructions below:

• Make a backup of all files in your current version
• Make a backup of your current database
• Rewrite all files from new version (except ones you've changed, e.g. templates, styles)
• Leave 'old' file /includes/var_definition.php
• Run 'Administration > System > System Upgrade'

Hope you will enjoy new ViArt Shop v2.5.5!

Regards,
ViArt Team.