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Comparing ECinteractive™ with Dealer Station®

ECinteractive screen
Dealer Station screen

ECinteractive and Dealer Station home pages

ECinteractive includes many tried-and-true features from the Dealer Station® family of products. Widely used features in common include:

ECinteractive-specific Features

ECinteractive’s user interface utilizes advanced technologies like AJAX, Microsoft’s latest SQL Server database architecture and the Microsoft® .NET programming framework. For you and your customers, that translates to advanced features such as:

Compare for Yourself

To compare the features in Dealer Station and ECinteractive, see the feature comparison charts below.

Find out More about ECinteractive

Learn More

Learn more about what ECi software can do for your business, and schedule a demo. Learn More >>

End-User Web Storefront

User Interface
Screen End-User Web Storefront Feature Dealer Station ECinteractive
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Product Information Product detail and images check check
Clean, space-efficient display of product information   check
Browse categories in Home, Contracts, Laundry List pages   check
Item-specific images (green highlighter, A-Z tab dividers) check check
Set up Dealer site and general information for "Contact Us" check check
Learning Center gives access to manufacturer product details check check
Product Showcase displays items from leading manufacturers check check
See what competitor stores charge for the item (available in D-Force2)   asterisk
Favorites Copy Favorites List items to and from shopping cart check check
Multiple favorites lists per user check check
Simplified Add-to-Favorites flow from multiple sources   check
Add comments to Favorites Lists   check
Quick Order Order entry by item number (Quick Order) check check
Shop from Laundry List/Contract Items check check
Shop from Web Specials and Promo Items check check
ZipOrder: Add Favorites List items directly to Cart check check
Let shoppers use Jumptech barcode scanners check asterisk
Immediate display of alternates/substitutes in Quick Order   check
Specify customer's department per line item   check
Item Confirmation Suggests companion items, similar items, or accessories   check
Web Specials Today's Specials page and banner ad check check
Today's Specials banner ad rotates and lets users scroll   check
All Communicate directly and instantly with LiveHelp chat check check
Set User-Specific Preferences (font size, color, etc.) check check
Context-sensitive help by page and function   check
Frequently used tools and information grouped in lefthand column   check
Hierarchical drop-down navigation menu at top of page   check
Familiar image icons to help navigate options, results and tasks   check
Page navigation titles and functional summaries   check
Navigation links let you easily retrace your steps   check
Printer-friendly account and product information   check
Auto-suggest entries for fields and drop-downs   check
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Search & Browse
Screen End-User Web Storefront Feature Dealer Station ECinteractive
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Advanced Search Limit by keyword, item number, and manufacturer check check
Limit by attributes such as new, popular, recycled, minority, JWOD   check
Search by partial item number   check
Contracts, Laundry Lists Pricing from assigned back-end contract or laundry list check check
View Laundry List categories from backend settings check check
View Contract and Laundry List categories from wholesaler catalog (if set)   check
Shop only from contracts/laundry lists based on lock or restriction settings   check
Enhanced Content S.P. Richards search filters by detailed product attributes check check
S.P. Richards catalog product comparisons check check
S.P. Richards cross-selling of product accessories check check
S.P. Richards item multiple image views and rich media check check
S.P. Richards product detail links to assembly instructions   check
Automatically filter search results to SPR General Line catalog   check
S.P. Richards results suggest other spellings if no match exists   check
Filter Enhanced S.P. Richards Subcatalogs   check
United Stationers search filters by detailed product attributes   check
United Stationers catalog product comparisons   check
United Stationers cross-selling of related products   check
United Stationers item multiple image views and rich media   check
Search Results Results displayed by category check check
Search data caching for faster display of results   check
Top selling items matching keyword(s)   check
Top manufacturers matching keyword(s)   check
Clean, easily read grid format for item lists   check
Workflow
Screen End-User Web Storefront Feature Dealer Station ECinteractive
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General Users can self-register for new or existing accounts check check
Users can order for multiple departments or shipping addresses check check
Select account, department, attention to by number check check
Users can order for multiple accounts or billing addresses   check
Select account, department, attention   check
Schedule paper/toner replenishment orders in advance   asterisk
Update machine meter readings online   asterisk
Checkout Review orders prior to submission check check
Create and edit monthly budgets check check
Let shoppers use coupons check asterisk
Change department/ship-to at checkout   check
Enhanced checkout flow to minimize submission errors   check
Change account/bill-to and recipient attention at checkout   check
Background service queues orders for efficient processing   check
Add, edit and delete multiple credit cards   check
Specify customer department per line item   check
MyOrders Save orders (held orders) check check
Request a credit return/pick-up of merchandise check asterisk
Look up RouteTrak™ delivery signature check asterisk
Sortable display of line items on saved orders   check
View saved order detail while orders remain on hold   check
View back order status per line item   asterisk
Track shipments online for FedEx, UPS, etc.   asterisk
MyOrders Approvals Flexible, multi-level approval process check check
Multiple approval levels check check
Multiple approval flows for each user check check
Quick approval — approve without opening the order check asterisk
Approval groups — multiple approvers for each user   check
Append reasons/comments to denied orders   check
Route denied orders back to originator for correction   check
Check status of orders awaiting approval   check
Sortable display of line items for orders awaiting approval   check
Approval Order page redesigned like Cart but with QuickOrder fields   check
Rewards & Promotions View a report of reward items earned and redeemed check check
View account-level usage status of promos/discounts check check
View a report of promotional item and discount status from backend   check
Reports
Screen End-User Web Storefront Feature Dealer Station ECinteractive
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Order History View complete order history — Web, phone, fax, and walk-in check check
Search order history by department check check
Search order history by date range, P/O number   check
Search order history by manufacturer's item number, prefix   check
Sort order history display by line item   check
Pay Invoices View/print 30-/60-/90-day outstanding balance statement   check
View line item detail   check
Drill down to select individual invoices   check
Pay outstanding balance online via credit card   check

Adminstrative Control Panel

Site Management
Screen Administrative Control Panel Feature Dealer Station ECinteractive
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Admin Home System news from ECi Development Team on Home Page   check
Link to Admin Users currently assigned consumer site   check
Choice of navigation: Alphabetical menu or Training menu   check
Site Information Set up Dealer site and general information for "Contact Us" check check
Set up multiple locations for general ledger, inventory, printers   check
Remit A/R Settings Set up A/R remittance addresses globally   check
Set up A/R remittance addresses per location   check
Admin User Management Set up additional administrators logins and privileges   check
Assign Management or Support roles/rights to Admin Users   check
Allow Admin Users to change own passwords, reset consumers   check
Site Selection Access multiple ECinteractive sites from the Admin Control Panel   check
Select Admin User's Default Site to display on login   check
Site Appearance Change color scheme, default style layout for End User site check check
Save changes to fonts, borders, backgrounds as stylesheet check  
Select from professional color schemes check check
Customize Home page element sequence (news, category browse)   check
Framed Site Layout Frame the storefront within your existing domain/Web site check check
Logo image size limitations specified on-screen   check
Image Management Load your dealership's logo image check check
Load multiple images to be used in Page Editor check check
Page Editor HTML-Capable text editor to customize text on your site check check
WYSIWYG Editor: No need for HTML knowledge   check
No limit on the number of pages you save   check
Site Text Specify text to appear on specific user pages check check
Assign saved pages created in Page Editor to end user pages   check
Use saved pages in multiple places or for reuse later   check
E-mail Customization Customize automated confirmation e-mails sent to end users check check
HTML confirmation e-mail templates in addition to text   check
Customize HTML headers and footers in automated e-mails   check
Down for Maintenance Schedule times to turn site off and on around maintenance tasks check check
Customize maintenance messages for weekday/weekend   check
Set your site's time zone   check
Demo Account Demo orders will not be submitted to the back-end system check check
Product Management
Screen Administrative Control Panel Feature Dealer Station ECinteractive
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Global Catalog Groups Choose global catalogs to use in your site searches check check
Drag-and-drop interface for selecting catalogs   check
Item Management Specify custom items from back-end, add details, and upload images check check
Modify catalog name appearing on consumer site Item Detail check asterisk
Allow Punctuation in Item Numbers   check
Use Custom Product Management Dashboard to add dealer items, catalogs   check
Copy and Override Wholesaler Detail with dealer-custom item detail   check
Map dealer-custom items to standard and Enhanced Categories   check
Upload, rank dealer custom items in United Stationers Enhanced Search   check
Upload, rank dealer custom items in S.P. Richards Enhanced Search   asterisk
Catalog Descriptions Modify custom catalog description check check
Modify catalog search priority check check
Custom Catalog Groups Add, edit, and delete custom catalog names check check
Set up categories and sub-categories for dealer-specified items check check
Customize Home page catalog category display order   asterisk
Manufacturer Management Set up manufacturer names for site-specific catalogs check check
Set up manufacturer logos for site-specific catalogs   check
Rank catalog providers for search categories, results, MyFavorites, contracts, laundry lists, Web specials, preferred items and showcases   check
Web Specials Set up Web order pricing on certain items for limited times check check
Preferred Items Rank items to appear in "Best Seller" column and standard search results   check
Marketing Tools Add promotional items to orders based on order qualification check check
Set up first time order, MTD order, first time user discounts online check  
Sync first time order, MTD order, first time user discounts per backend   check
Offer one-time or reusable coupons with expiration, % or $ off check asterisk
View account-level usage status of promos/discounts/coupons check  
Rewards Product Management Specify products/categories users can earn per points per ratio check check
Rewards Program Management Set up multiple point to dollar ratios for customers to earn points   check
Assign groups of users or administrators to programs   check
Award points to users, even if they are not final approvers   check
Opt to apply all of a customer account's points to specific users   check
Transaction History View and adjust the rewards points earned and redeemed   check
Machine Matching Tool Let users select a machine to purchase matching parts or supplies check check
HP Printing Microsite Let users select an HP printer to purchase matching supplies check asterisk
Xstamper Microsite Let users order custom stamps and nameplates from Xstamper check asterisk
Feature Configuration
Screen Administrative Control Panel Feature Dealer Station ECinteractive
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Site Preferences Set up global parameters that affect every user check check
Shipping Management Specify shipping options from your back-end Item database check check
CustomerSettings Set up parameter groups that can be assigned to user groups   check
Alt/Sub Items Set up defaults for handling alternate and substitute items check check
Checkout Set up defaults for budget, P/Os, ship/bill, department, attentions check check
Feature Set up default access for catalogs, history, and other features check check
Marketing Set up defaults for Specials, Rewards, Learning, Showcase, etc.   check
Price Set up defaults for list and customer pricing, contract and promo items   check
Communication Set up defaults for automated email confirmations and replies check check
Favorites List/ZipOrder Set up lists of favorite items to be assigned as you wish check check
Contract/Laundry List Sync with DDMS pricing contracts, recurrent items check check
Return Requests Set up access to item credits/returns and pickups check asterisk
Super User Rights Allow user to add users to the account and set certain limits check asterisk
Customer Management
Screen Administrative Control Panel Feature Dealer Station ECinteractive
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Location Management Create G/L location, inventory location and printer ID as a group check check
Account Management Associate accounts with specific locations check check
Add New Account Specify details for each individual user account or default user check  
Specify account number, printer, and check sync departments   check
Sync Departments Sync departments for checked accounts   check
Sync departments for all accounts   check
Add Users Identify each user's contact, login, and department information check check
Select streamlined department, user group, and catalog group   check
Assign a contract or laundry list to a specific user check check
Assign groups of credit cards to user accounts or departments   check
Contracts, Laundry Lists Assign back-end contract or laundry list to customers or groups check check
Synchronize Contracts and Laundry Lists with back-end system check check
SuperIndex automatically references catalog content to reflect data changes   check
Categorize Contracts and Laundry Lists from back-end or catalog   check
Limit shoppers to a contract or laundry list check  
Lock users to shop only from selected Contracts/Laundry Lists   check
Restrict shoppers from seeing items on selected Contracts or Laundry Lists   check
Set preferences for categories/lists in Contracts/Laundry Lists/Favorites   asterisk
Approval Groups, Chains Set up approval authority, limits, and level individually per user check  
Set up approval groups of multiple users to accounts or departments   check
Assign multiple approvers and users to various approval groups   check
Show the approval chains for each customer account   check
Guest and Registration View and Change settings for the guest user check check
Assign Guest Account Info, User Groupings, and Catalog Group   check
E-mail notifies dealer when user registers for new or existing account   check
Assign Favorites Assign Favorites Lists to specific customers, departments or all   check
Account News Assign News pages, created in Page Editor, to specific accounts check check
Assign News content shown on opening Home page check asterisk
Mass Update Mass assign individual settings to Customers by acct, dept, loc, attn check  
Assign Setting Groups to Customers by acct, dept, loc and attn   check
Customer Groups Migrate accounts in Dealer Station to ECinteractive customer groups   check
User Migration Import user name, password, email, reward points and favorites check check
Usage Management
Screen Administrative Control Panel Feature Dealer Station ECinteractive
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Sales Report View site sales in lines/orders/dollars for this and last month   check
User Usage SiteStats View usage report of contact info & MTD orders, lines, totals check check
Limit report to account, user, active status, deleted/sales/guest check check
Limit by department, approved, login/order date   check
Limit by month-to-date or Last month orders, lines, and totals   check
View usage report as Microsoft® Excel® spreadsheet   check
Generate usage report as PDF document or XLS spreadsheet check check
Order Management View orders, limiting by date, order number, or account   check
Limit list by user, partial order number, status, account, department or date   check
Drill down to line item detail and status log   check
Resubmit unfinished orders as needed   check
Order Manager Service Background service queues incoming orders to submit to DDMS   check
Eliminates Web server delays during checkout   check
Login Errors List users unable to login to the user's page, and delete   check
Drag-and-drop interface for grouping by column headers   check
Usernames/e-mails of guests who never finished creating account   check
Connection Errors System displays connection error message to user check check
E-mail notifies Web server suppport personnel check check
E-mail notifies site's admin users of connection issue   check
Maintenance Schedule avoids unwanted email notifiers   check
Orphaned Users Usernames/e-mails of guests who never finished creating an account   check

Find out More about ECinteractive

Learn More

Learn more about what ECi software can do for your business, and schedule a demo. Learn More >>

Find out More

Learn More

Learn more about what ECi software can do for your business.

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