Building a Web-Based Electronic Commerce Application with Delphi

Background

• ECommerce, Before the Web
• ECommerce, 1995-1997
• What the Key Players are Offering
• Where Delphi Fits In
• Using the Web to Make, and Save, Money
• ECommerce, Looking Ahead

Different Models of Electronic Commerce

• Business to Business
• Direct: Consumer/Retail purchases
• Payment Methods
  • Credit Cards
  • Micro Payments / New Currencies

Three-tier Client-server solutions

• Public Internet Solution
  • Client: web browser
  • Middleware: Web Server plus Delphi application
  • Back end: SQL database
• Example ECommerce Application
  1. Shopping cart accepts an order.
  2. Validate the Transaction
  3. Post the Transaction
  4. Delphi to IC Verify (Request File)
  5. Delphi to IC Verify (Shell)
  6. Running the Charge
  7. Saving State
  8. Surfer Inquiry
  9. Store Owner Notification

Security issues

• SSL: Between the client and the server
• Digital certificates for the web/merchant server

Product delivery

• Electronic products
• Hard goods
• Software rental
• Subscriptions

Growth of the Web

• Users/consumers
• Companies/domains/providers
• Sites enabling commerce