Shopping Cart Software: FAQ

What is the software requirement?
- Runs on Windows 95/98/NT 4.0
- Pentium processor 133 MHz or above
- 16 MB of RAM
- at least 10 MB for the software

What is Secure Socket Layer (SSL)? Why do I need it?
Secure Socket Layer (SSL or secure server) is a protocol which enables both data encryption and server authentication. When SSL is running, all data sent to or from a client (your shopper's web browser) is encrypted. This feature provides extra security for your shoppers since their credit card number or personal information is encrypted before reaching you (merchant). As a registered Merchant Helper customer, 2DEG provides SSL for your shopping site free for 1 full year. Your web site is still hosted with your selected ISP. When a shopper places an order at your site, the Checkout page generated by Merchant Helper invokes 2DEG's secure server for data transmittion. To acquire and setup your own secure server normal costs ~$600 per year.

What is the requirement for Merchant Helper?
Merchant Helper is more appropriate for small businesses that prefer to process their orders manually or for businesses simply do not have enough volume to justify real-time credit card processing.

When a shopper places an order in the merchant's shopping site, it invokes 2DEG's secure server. The order information is then encrypted at 2DEG's server and transmitted back to the merchant. The merchant will receive an encryted e-mail and he/she will decrypt the e-mail using Merchant Helper through copy/paste operation. The merchant then manually processes the credit card.

What is the requirement for Merchant Helper Pro?
Merchant Helper Pro is for merchants who project a high volume of sales that requires online real-time credit card processing. A merchant opens an account with an online credit card transaction processing company (like Authorize.Net or Credit Card Network). When a shopper places an order at the merchant's shopping site, the order information will be kept in the selected credit card processing company and an e-mail will be sent to the merchant. The merchant checks the order's status through a secure server provided by the credit card processing company.