Feature chart - Air

The feature chart provides a snapshot of all the features available in the standard Air development environment. If you can't see what you're looking for, why not get in touch and let us know, we're constantly evolving our products and your feedback is crucial.

Content Management

Visual editing

Edit your web site in a completely visual environment, navigate from page to page, changing content in an easy to use, visual editing environment.

Widgets

Include widgets in your pages (such as the three widgets at the bottom of this page; Recent portfolio, Products, and Contact us). Areas within your page (such as a footer or side bar) can contain flows within which you can place one or more widgets.

Search & replace

Search for and replace content or code (with wildcard support) throughout the entire web site. Before any changes are saved you can preview the effect of the changes on the page.

Full change history

Every change made to pages and files is stored and can be reverted to (effectively providing unlimited undo/redo facilities). You can review the state of a page or file at any point of its history, and the differences between that state and the current page state.

Time activated pages/files

Specify the launch date/time of a page/file, and/or the date at which it will expire (become archived). Ideal for running promotions.

Write your own URLs (Vanity URLs)

Each page/file can be accessed by a URL that you specify, such as 'http://www.my-site.co.uk/my-news/an-example-story', this makes your web site more navigable by users and search engines alike.

Multiple language support

Content can be managed in any number of languages, either by manually creating a translation for each page, or by exporting the entire web site (or a selection of pages) in CSV, Microsoft Excel format for translation by a translation company. Once translated the CSV or Microsoft Excel file can be re-imported into the web site, automatically creating all the translations. The UTF-8 character set is used to store all text content to support the wide range of current alphabets.

Folder/File organization

Pages and files are organized into folders much like on your desktop, providing instant familarity.

Duplicate content

Within the content management system you can duplicate whole pages, single rows and/or columns of content.

Template based

The content management system uses a template system to ensure new visual designs can be implemented across the web site in a short time scale.

W3C valid and screen readable

The content management system performs content validation against the W3C DTD files to ensure content entered conforms. In addition, the pages are constructed in a manner which ensures readability by screen readers. All Air web sites work without javascript or cookies, which are only ever used to enhance the user experience when available.

Minimal learning curve

The CM system is designed to get both web publishing novices and experts alike, productive quickly. With scope to increase their skill set and abilities as they continue to use the system.

User management & Security

Highly configurable administrator permissions

Each administrator is allocated one or more roles. A role is a set of privileges which provide action, model and scope settings (or what can be done, to what, and where). In addition, an administrator can be assigned a temporary set of privileges to cater for situations such as staff absences (the temporary privileges are automatically removed at a specified date/time in the future).

Multiple user environment

The Air system supports for multiple administrators and there are no user license fees. Administrators are made aware at all times who is currently editing content by using a system of checking content in & out (e.g if two administrators try to modify the same page, they are informed of the conflict, and can then make a choice as to whether or not to continue.)

Encryption of data

Air supports for SSL (HTTPS) for data-sensitive areas within the administation. In addition all sensitive data (e.g passwords) is encrypted before storage using AES. A Username and password is required to access the administration area, and an idle time-out period is used to automatically logout inactive users.

User history

Each action an administrator performs is logged with the date/time of the action, on a protected database table. This information can then be reviewed to trace an administrator's actions during any set period.

Noticeboard

A user noticeboard allows for messages to be left for users when they login (e.g planned downtime, a to-do list, etc.) In a multiple language environment the noticeboard is automatically populated with information about pages which are no longer in sync with their translations.

eCommerce & eAuction

B2C and B2B

Sell direct to customers or businesses, customise the products, prices, discount and delivery costs for each of your customers. B2B can be implemented with or without B2C ecommerce solutions.

Auction engine

The Air sysyem supports a highly configurable auction engine allowing for forward and reverse auctions. Additional features include:

• Member rating systems (positive/negative feedback)
• Dynamic closing-time support
• Invitation-only auctions
• Sealed-bid auctions
• Buy now support

Interfaces to common CPI

Interface to many common online-payment services are available as standard, including:

• Barclays
• HSBC
• Google checkout
• Streamline
• Worldpay

For other payment providers the Air system easily integrates with all standard online payment processes.

File management (DAM)

Intelligent handling

Recognised file formats are examined before being stored on the system. For example if you upload an Adobe PDF (.pdf) or Microsoft Word Document (.doc) to the system, its text content is stripped out so that the file can be found using the system search. The list of recognised files is growing and includes:

• Microsoft Excel spreadsheets (.xls) -worksheet/row/column counts and text content.
• Rich text format documents (.rtf) - worksheet/row/column counts and text content.
• Comma seperated value files (.csv) - header/row/column counts and text content.
• Images (.bmp, .gif, .jpeg, .png, .psd, .tga, .tiff, .xbm) - dimensions, format and camera information where applicable.
• Visualistic view and material files (.vc, .smc) - surface and material information.
• Any plain text format - text content.

Custom file recognition is a common request, particularly when integrating 3rd-party software or within a DAM solution. With Air, building new file handlers is a simple process.

Image processing

Air provides a simple processing and caching pipeline for images (via PIL and/or Imagemagick). Any effect can be automated, allowing administrators with no image processing skills to select from a set of pre-defined effects.

Below are some examples of automated effects;

Image Gallery

Create and manage image galleries (e.g. for news articles, products etc.) online with the gallery tool. Re-order, remove and upload new images within a simple interface.

Printable content

If content needs to be output in a high quality print layout & format (greater than that available via a web browser), then Air provides PDF output for content. PDF files are far more suited to high print quality output than (X)HTML.

Integration (API)

Configurable UI

The administration user interface can be completely customised and extended by creating and modifying CSS and XSL files.

Import & Export data

Data can be imported and exported into Air directly in XML, CSV and Microsoft Excel (.xls) format. Custom data can also be imported by developing new interfaces using the highly flexible data interface.

XML is often used to communicate with Flash, and other third party web services.

RSS & ATOM feeds

Quickly and easily produce feeds for your information, e.g latest news, products, members, etc.

JSON & AJAX

Air can import and export data in JSON, which makes it easy to implement JavaScript applications that communicate with AJAX.

HPI vehicle data

Air can now interface with HPI's HPIGate (XML) interface, allowing for vehicle history checks to be performed, and detailed vehicle information to be extracted.

Performance

Static caching

Where possible, content is stored in a static format the first time it is requested by a visitor. For example if a visitor requests an image from the database which is then processed to have a reflection, a static version of that image is stored, vastly reducing the time needed to retrieve the file in future.

Dynamic content handling

By using intelligent page handlers (including mod_python) the Air system can output dynamic content at a truely breathtaking speed by keeping the pages' process live and in memory, removing initialization time.

Support

Backup & snapshots

Depending on your requirements, a complete or selective reviewable/revertable backup of the your website can be accessed at any time. This can sometimes be a legal requirement, depending on the nature of the website and the regulations of the country in which the website resides.

Sandbox solution

If you are a developer and wish to add new capabilities & features to your website, we can provide you with a sandbox version of Air in which to develop and test without the risk of disturbing your primary website.

Administrator & developers forum

Administrators & developers are automatially given access to the Air support forum where they can read about and discuss the Air application with other Air users (including the developers at Getme).

Application forums are something we provide for all our products.

Environment

Truly cross-platform

Air can be run on Linux/Unix, MacOSX, Solaris and Windows operating systems.

Browser support

The administration interface is designed to be accessed online via a web browser. Support (with/without the Javascript or Cookies) is provided for the following web browsers:

• Internet Explorer 6+
• Firefox 1.5+
• Safari (webkit)
• Netscape
• Opera
• Konqueror

Programming

The Air system is developed in Python and can be extended through C++ & Python.

Database support

The Air system is designed to run on any database that supports a standard SQL implementation. The default database on installation is MySQL, however support for PostgreSQL and Oracle is also available.

Web server

Air's web services use the Apache web server and mod_python module.