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Questions and answers on everything EQUAT.
What is an ASP Application Service Provider?
An Application Service Provider (ASP) is a company that offers individuals or enterprises access over the Internet to combined applications and services from one centralized location. As today's businesses transform and adapt critical business functions and information to new technologies, ASP's are using the universal Web browser as a common access "window."
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What is the value of using an ASP?
By outsourcing services and renting software on a monthly basis, user companies are free to:
- Focus on their core competencies
- Control their cash flow through decreased hardware and software costs
- Use new business applications faster to increase their technology responsiveness
- Eliminate IT headaches from finding staff to rolling out new applications across multiple sites
- Leverage the latest supported e-business solutions to stay ahead of their competition
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What is a module?
It is a function; EQUAT has twenty-eight modules such as a Shop, Articles, Marketplace, Polls, FAQ and Login to name a few.
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Do you create template websites?
No. They are not template websites. Each site is uniquely designed with you to suit your online venture. Then the modules are tailored to meet your required functionality.
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How can a module-based website help me?
Module-based websites effectively limit the cost of maintaining a professional, database-driven interface.
As a client, you will have a uniquely branded website containing all of the features and functions found on many of the top websites. In addition, the intuitive self-administration features of the modules ease the management of any site, saving time and money for updating and changing the content of your site.
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I have a site already how can you improve it?
We can provide you with increased functionality and the ability to manage all your content very easily. In today's marketplace it is important to have dynamic content, keeping your business image current and informative. Give people a reason to come back to your online business and you more opportunity to offer your services!
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What type of technology is being used in your module system?
EQUATs's modules use PHP, an HTML-embedded scripting language. Much of its syntax is borrowed from C, Java and Perl with a couple of unique PHP-specific features thrown in. The goal of the language is to allow web developers to quickly write dynamically generated pages.
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Does pre-developed code limit my design choices?
One of the key advantages of EQUAT's module-based system is its flexibility. Our proprietary code does not hinder the design options of our service. Although we are not opposed to imbedding rich media content such as Flash, design and development of this rich media is excluded from any of the service packages. The client must supply the content to be integrated.
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Is the creation of a unique website design part of the setup fee?
We include four hours of custom design time with every website package we sell. Some design options may cost extra. Consult with your sales representative regarding any special requests which could incur additional fees.
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Can EQUAT integrate functionality into an existing layout?
EQUAT's development team is capable of working within a pre-existing layout. However, in doing so, minor modifications are inevitable.
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Can EQUAT host websites without re-designing them?
The only websites that can be hosted in-house are websites using EQUAT's module-based system.
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What is included with your website package?
Site Administration MyAdminSuite™:
This is a user-friendly browser based administration suite that will allow you to make changes to your site without any other expensive programs. NO FTP, or FrontPage needed! Changes are made in real time, with a link to the front end of your site to see the results instantly. This will be the core of your site, and will host the modules you choose.
MyAdminSuite™ Specifications
; Special Home Page,
25 Email Accounts,
Creation of 2 Custom Pages,
DNS Transfer and Going Live,
and website statistics.
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What is EQUAT MyAdminSuite™?
MyAdminSuite™ is a user-friendly browser-based administration suite that allows you to make changes to your website without any other expensive add-on programs. Changes are made in real time, with a link to the front-end of your website. You see the results instantly. MyAdminSuite™ is the core of your website and will host the modules you choose.
MyAdmin Suite™ Specifications
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Does EQUAT's service include technical support?
Each client is entitled to a 4 hour site orientation of the administration suite by telephone, as well as free email technical support, regardless of the service package chosen. Alternatively, a client may opt to pay for voice technical support, which is charged at an hourly rate.
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Will I be able to make changes to my website as my business grows and takes on new directions?
EQUAT understands that today's solution may not meet future demands. Our module-based system is designed to efficiently accommodate this growth.
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Who is responsible for uploading/adding content to my website?
Clients are primarily responsible for the maintenance and population of content on their site. However, EQUAT does offer Webmastering Packages whereby we will populate your site with the content you provide to us. Furthermore, comprehensive design consultations are available which are charged on an hourly basis.
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Do I have to host with you?
Yes, we host only the sites we develop.
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Can I add modules in the future?
It is very easy to add modules down the road. We also offer many marketing services to keep you ahead of the competition.
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I am not technical, can I manage my website anyway?
EQUAT technologies MyAdminSuite™ is an advanced content management system; most of our clients are successful business people in their marketplace. They want to develop a website and be able to control their content, but do not have the time or desire to learn HTML.
MyAdminSuite™ has been developed to allow the user to cut & paste content from a Word document or add content to the website directly. If you do have some knowledge of HTML you can do amazing things with your site.
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Do I keep ownership of my domain name?
Yes, we simply transfer it onto our servers and become a technical contact on your behalf.
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Is the EQUAT website designed using the modular system?
Most definitely!
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Who owns my website after it is designed?
As an Application Service Provider(ASP), EQUAT does not own or claim to own the material content on your website. However, the Company retains ownership of the code required to drive the back-end functionality of your website and has the right to limit hosting of the code within its servers only.
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Does EQUAT have a money-back guarantee?
EQUAT prides itself in its work and ensures that proactive measures are taken to avoid dissatisfied clients. Prior to development, all clients consult with a sales representative and a technical liaison in order to avoid any misunderstandings and misconceptions about the finished product. Once the necessary arrangements have been made, the client consents to commence development on the project by sending payment and signing a contract.
Development fees are not refundable after work on the project has ensued.
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Does EQUAT have reference sites that I can visit?
EQUAT does have several reference sites that you can visit. You can view our reference sites through the module descriptions themselves.
Select a module here
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What e-commerce services do you offer?
EQUAT's e-commerce solutions integrate product listings, shopping cart, checkout and a full shop administration suite. We also have partnerships with major payment gateway providers such as
Authorize.net
. For more information please speak to a sales representative.
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Can the technical team import the data from my database?
Each project is approached on a case-by-case basis. It is possible that the existing data structure may have to be modified to conform to our own database structure.
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How can I keep track of my site? I would love to view my site statistics.
In the site administration area of your site there is a place set aside for site statisitics and traffic usage.
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How do I update my website?
All module-based websites are pre-equipped with an administration suite. MyAdminSuite™ utilizes a web-based interface that allows clients to update any module on their site from any Internet-capable computer. Access to the administration functions is protected by username and password login.
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Can I add my own html pages to the site?
Under the site administration area, administrators have the option of building custom pages for their website. These custom site pages retain the look and feel of the site.
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Does EQUAT submit my website to search engines?
EQUAT offers search engine submission as an optional service. However, we do not guarantee that your listing will attain a high ranking or increased traffic.
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Will I receive an email address to put on my business cards and other printed materials?
Each package comes with a number of email addresses. These email addresses are customized to your domain name.
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How does your pricing work?
It is based on the number of modules requested for your website, not on the number of pages!
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How does your module system compare in functionality, security, scalability and speed with Active Server Pages, Cold Fusion, CGI or JSP?
Like any dynamic code, EQUAT's system performs comparably to other similar applications.
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Your functionality and pricing are hard to beat but I would like a design style I don't see in your sample sites. My company has its own graphic designers and I would like to know if/how we can work with your programmers to use our design with your modules and code.
We can work with your team of Graphic Designers to implement a layout. If you have a pre-existing design, some minor modifications may be necessary. In this case, someone from EQUAT will contact you regarding your design and discuss it with you.
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Where are EQUAT's servers located?
EQUAT currently hosts all clients' websites at Roundheaven, who provide high-speed secure 24/7 server monitoring. Using multiple high-bandwidth connections to the Internet, the Company's servers are hosted on a redundant network complete with 24-hour monitoring and UNIX firewall security.
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What happens to my website in the event of EQUAT's demise?
In the event that EQUAT can no longer maintain its service, arrangements will be made to provide alternative hosting with industry partners and affiliates.
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What is an Articles Module?
The Articles Module can be used to showcase your organization, projects, stories and/or client related material. Your own firm can, on an on-going basis easily update all of this. Multiple categories and subcategories allow you to create very scalable sections in your site. The articles can be easily linked to and from other areas of your website for reference.
The Articles Module has become a staple for most clients due to its overwhelming versatility.
Articles Module Specifications
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Do you have a manual?
A comprehensive module manual is currently being written and should be available shortly.
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Can you develop a job search website?
Yes we use the Marketplace Module for this; it provides your site with a searchable directory. It is a powerful module that allows you to create categories/subcategories. In each category there can be a unique search form and unlimited item attributes. Here you can showcase directories of CVs. You can add a login and charge companies to view CVs and/or visitors to view positions.
If you allow it, subscribed organizations can have access to their own sections within the marketplace to add links and new material. Your visitors and prospective buyers will be able to search for their area of interest a number of ways depending on how you define the attributes in that category.
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What are the features and abilities of your Marketplace Module?
The Marketplace provides your site with a searchable directory. It is a powerful module that allows you to create categories/subcategories. In each category there can be a unique search form and unlimited item attributes. Here you can showcase directories of your choosing, whether it is a community portal site, a business directory or job search. If you allow it, subscribed organizations can have access to their own sections within the marketplace to add links and new material. Your visitors and prospective buyers will be able to search for their area of interest a number of ways depending on how you define the attributes in that category.
Marketplace Module Specifications
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What are the features and abilities of your Shop Module?
Have a complete e-commerce retail center by using this module. Provide your online visitors with an easy and secure means to conduct online business with you. The Shop can be used efficiently to sell a single product or any quantity of products in multiple categories/subcategories. This module also provides you with great flexibility for adding, deleting or modifying any of your products or categories.
Shop Module Specifications
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Can I have sound, video and/or Power Point on the website?
Yes, most media can be uploaded to the file system and linked to the pages you require them to be. Please note that EQUAT can only implement these types of files as supplied from the client. At this time EQUAT does not provide any further manipulation of multimedia files.
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