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# DESCRIPTION

MiniVend is a database access and retrieval system focused on e-commerce. It allows customers to select items to buy from catalog pages. The program tracks which products they have selected and the quantity desired. Many different catalog pages may be visited, and the user ``session'' will be tracked to build a cumulative list of items. Once selection is finished, they may complete the ordering process by entering their name and address along with payment information, if any. Once the order process is completed, MiniVend submits the order to the system via email or an external order entry program.

Though its name begins with ``Mini'', MiniVend is anything but. It is a high-end, fully customizable, powerful software system with complete database functionality. It is suitable for many applications besides shopping carts, though that is its main bent. For example, you can build a complete database-oriented content display system using MiniVend.

MiniVend plugs into a system with an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) server, allowing encrypted transmission of sensitive customer data. This capability makes the entry of credit card numbers practical and secure. In addition, it supports online payment systems and encryption; no credit card numbers need be stored on the system ``en clair''.

Many different catalogs can be run from the same MiniVend server, allowing an ISP to serve many different customers from one or just a few MiniVend server processes. As many as 2,000 MiniVend catalogs have been run on one machine from the same server process.

MiniVend is powerful, and correspondingly complex. It can easily handle catalogs of a million items or more, with excellent performance. It has completely flexible page display, search, and order entry capability. If you only have a few items to catalog, MiniVend is probably overkill for your needs. But if you are willing to spend some up-front learning time, it can support your simple catalog with unlimited room to grow. To get a fast start with a simple catalog, start with the simple demo and customize from there.

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