Integrating Web Ordering with Accounting Packages

We're gradually seeing companies with accounting software integrate with Internet ordering front ends, though they certainly don't seem mature at this point. Two of these include:

Peachtree Software's PeachLink 2.0

The company website has a webpage on PeachLink 2.0 (http://www.peachtree.com/accounting/paw_fast_and_easy.htm) which says, "After a customer places an order on the Web page, the information is automatically encrypted to ensure security, a customer order is generated and the PeachLink Order Processor retrieves the order and places it into Peachtree. By allowing you to place customer orders from your Web site into your accounting system, you can easily assign customer IDs, add new customers, and compare Internet customer information against current customer information in Peachtree software." There's surprisingly little detail or examples of this product in use on the Peachtree site; perhaps it's an early version of a developing product.

Mail Order Manager's SiteLINK

SiteLINK by Dydacomp (http://www.dydacomp.com/mainsitelk.asp), interfaces with the widely-used small business Mail Order Manager (M.O.M.) system (http://www.dydacomp.com/mainmom.asp). SiteLINK uses ASP webpage technology, and offers software that can be hosted either on Dydacomp as well as on the storeowner's own server. Using the strong mail-order management features of the moderately-priced M.O.M. as the basis for an online store, with integrated inventory management and order fulfillment, is an attractive concept. Unfortunately, the stores produced using SiteLINK are not, let us say, shining examples of store design. I hope there'll be a new version soon.