Heartcore, Inc. is a developer and supplier of HeartCore CXM and CMS.

1. Design / Template

What is a template?

A template is a framework pre-designed for web pages. Templates usually contain repetitive elements such as menus and banners which are used on any number of web pages. By defining templates, website editors can concentrate on managing content instead of layout.
Can I control editing permissions?

Yes. HeartCore has a built-in WYSIWYG (What-You-See-Is-What -You-Get) content editor and you can customize it for some users to have limited access authority.
Do I need programming to define templates?

No programming needed, which is differentiation from other CMS. HeartCore requires no technical knowledge about PHP or Java to create templates. Instead of that, you can use simple “@@@” codes to define where the primary content and additional elements are to be inserted.
Is anyone able to alter templates?

Yes, as long as the user has a certain level of knowledge about HTML and style sheets.
Is it possible to manage template-free pages together?

Yes, but you need to specify editable regions on the pages and import these pages into HeartCore management files if they are created by other software etc.
Is there any restriction or rule on designing a website?

No, you can design your website freely. To use HeartCore efficiently, however, it is important to have common elements and consistent layout on the overall website.
Can I create pages following the latest accessibility guidelines (W3C’s WAI etc.)?

Yes. You can also use the built-in markup validator (HTML-Lint) which posts your content to W3C validation service to find potential problems with your HTML/XHTML.
Can I create design and templates concurrently?

Usually website layout / design should be completed before getting started with templates. If you have templates created by Adobe Dreamweaver, you can convert them to HeartCore templates automatically.
Can I use movies like Adobe Flash movies on my website?

Yes. HeartCore supports most of web movie technologies including Adobe Flash and streaming protocol.
Can I add alternative text for images used in pages?

Yes. You can also update the text at any time.
Is there anything I have to be aware of for CSS coding?

There is no restriction but please remember that the CSS positioning properties such as Float, Position Related and Position Fixed do not always work as you intended due to the specification of visitor's web browser.

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2. Web Marketing

Is personalization available?

Yes. You can display different contents / elements depending on referrer information (search keywords, referrer URL, source domain, etc.) and visitor’s activity pattern within your website.
What can / cannot I do with HeartCore e-mail distribution function?

You can create rich / simple text emails and also insert a stored content into emails. However, some of the special features such as scheduled distribution, history management or error mail processing are not supported. If you want to send huge number of emails, we can offer an optional dedicated distribution service.
What can I realize with membership management?

Member registration, member information update and member page creation functions are provided. You can add new attributes to the database easily such as member information. You may need special customization to realize your requirements.
Is it easy enough even for marketing staff to use access statistics function?

HeartCore access statistics function provides basic access information only which can be viewed by anyone. But if you want to analyze data with more specific view point, we recommend you to use special dedicated analysis tools. In this case, you can easily embed the analysis tags into content.

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3. SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

Does HeartCore work for SEO?

Yes. Once your pages are created by HeartCore, any words given in the pages will be the keywords for a search query. As a result, your pages will be ranked higher in search engine result pages. Please note that your website has to be a dynamic site to get this benefit. In addition to this effect, you can also apply popular SEO reactions such that Meta tag / H1 tag insertion, automatic link creation etc.
HeartCore-created pages are comparatively ranked higher by search engines. Why?

We can’t answer in detail, but the big difference from other SEO services is that HeartCore does not use/require unethical techniques, which might work temporally and get banned eventually. Therefore, your website remains unaffected when search engines change their algorithms in most cases - comprehensive change is made every six or twelve months.
What are tips to create a better website for higher ranking?

You have to remember at least the following four things to have HeartCore automatic SEO function work.
1. Operate your website dynamically,
2. Create main contents and templates separately, and use “@@@” codes,
3. Include menus and internal links in templates,
4. Use “@@@” codes to list news entries etc.

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4. System Requirements

What type of servers do I need to run HeartCore?

You need three types of servers: Web server, application (AP) server, database (DB) server - usually one server for both web and AP, another server for DB. HeartCore runs on an AP server. The server configuration varies depending on your website traffic and security system.
What type of Operating System and what type of database system do I need to run HeartCore?

90% of existing HeartCore customers are using Linux, 10% of Windows/Unix for OS. 75% of MySQL/MariaDB, 20% of Oracle and the rest is PostgreSQL, SQL Server, DB2.
What type of application server do I need to run HeartCore?

Over 80% of existing HeartCore customers are using Tomcat.
Can I operate HeartCore only with a Web server?

No, Application server and Web server are also required..
Does HeartCore run on cloud-based environment?

Yes, Most of cloud service provider is capable to run HeartCore.
How can I set up system configuration for HeartCore to run in a cloud-based environment?

You can choose any combination of Web server, AP server, DB server and OS, DB, middleware depending on what your cloud services provider offers. Please contact us if you need more detail information about available providers.
Can I get a server sizing estimation?

Please contact us or our partner first as we need detailed information to scale your environment to meet your requirements.

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5. Performance

How large website can HeartCore manage with a single server configuration?

It depends on which release / language version of HeartCore you use. Java version performs the best and is able to handle about 800 thousand page views per day. If you apply redundant configuration to Web/AP server, the number will be doubled (i.e. 1,600 thousand page views per day). Here are the examples of our customers:
1. Company A: 1,000 thousand PV/day – single Web/AP server + single DB server
2. Company B: 1,500 thousand PV/day – two Web/AP servers + single DB server
3. Company C: 5,000 thousand PV/day – four Web/AP servers + single DB server
Please contact us for server sizing estimation.
It is said that dynamic site with huge traffic makes its performance down. Is it true?

You can run your website either dynamically or statically. To use most of the HeartCore-specific functions including Automatic SEO Compliance, LPO, Site Search, Access Log Analysis and Scheduled Publishing, it has to be a dynamic site. Commonly dynamic pages take longer to load, however HeartCore can handles them quickly about equal to the static pages.
Do I only have to add Web servers for increasing traffic?

You might need to scale up your AP server or add DB servers besides Web servers. Please contact us for details.

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6. Website Migration

How can I migrate my existing website?

It depends on the size of the website, but for smaller websites you can complete migration maunally and quickly. For larger websites, HeartCore has a special tool to import your existing pages (HTML, images, CSS, JS, PDF, DOC and other binary files) called “Zip Upload” for bulk importing with the folder structures remained, which makes it more efficient. We will suggest you the best way to migrate your existing website, so please contact us.

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7. Functions

7-1. CMS Basic Functions

Can I restrict the size of file uploads?

Yes, you can specify the maximum size limit in bytes through the HeartCore administrator interface.
Can I store images and files with Japanese names?

To store images and files in HeartCore, the filename has to be single byte. You can use double byte characters like Japanese for title.

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7-2. Workflow / Access Restrictions

How many levels can I define on a workflow?

There is no limit. Most of the workflows consist of two or three levels. Rejecting is also available.
Can I configure different workflows depending on the directory?

Yes.
Can I send e-mail notifications to approver automatically when saving pages?

Yes, you can send e-mail notifications for all or some of the workflow actions as needed.
How specific can I manage access authority?

You can define“View”, “Create”, “Update”, “Publish”, “Developer” and “Administrator” permissions to each individual page or page groups (“group” and “type”) pages.
1. View: Allow to view relevant pages
2. Create: Allow to create relevant pages
3. Update: Allow to update relevant pages
4. Publish: Allow to publish relevant pages
5. Developer: Allow to put JavaScript code on relevant page
6. Administrator: Have all authority described above full permissions to access and manage of the page / the pages in the page group
Also, you can manage access authority by administrators.

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7-3. History Management

Can I manage revision history for every page?

Yes. HeartCore records when / by who the page was created and last updated.
Can I restore a published page to its previous version?

Yes. You can restore an archive of the page or any part of the page.
Can I trace how visitors went through my website?

Yes, it will be logged in a file and you can utilize the data to improve your website.

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7-4. Multi-site Management

Can I manage multiple domains?

Yes.
Is it possible for each website to have different website administrators?

Yes.

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7-5. Smartphone Support

Is Smartphone supported?

You can practice Responsive Web Design, and you can also create dedicated templates for smartphones.

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7-6. Multi-language Support

Is it possible to display different languages in the administration screen depending on the logged-in user?

HeartCore supports English, Japanese and Chinese (simplified, traditional) for the administration screen as of today. Depending on the browser’s language preference settings, the most suitable language is displayed.
Can I create website pages in different languages?

Yes. HeartCore uses “UTF-8” for character encoding, which makes it possible to create and edit content in multiple languages, although it requires devices that can input special characters in the corresponding languages.
Can I use a common database to create pages for multiple countries?

Yes.
Does HeartCore provide automatic translation service?

No. You need to prepare contents written in all the required languages.

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7-7. Security

How can I protect the administration system from unauthorized logins?

HeartCore always requires user’s ID and password to login to the administration system (Forms Authentication). It is also recommended to configure SSL certificates, Basic Authentication and source IP address restriction on the Web server. The most popular way is to configure the firewall to allow only particular IPs to access.
Is database encryption available?

Only users’ information can be encrypted. Please see the manual for details.

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7-8. LPO (Landing Page Optimization)

What attributes can I use for LPO?

You can configure LPO to display different information based on “search queries”, “a domain in a multiple-domain arrangement”, “user’s IP address”, “user’s browser language preference” and “search engine”. All these settings can be done through the HeartCore administrator interface. (Note: Search queries cannot be retrieved from encrypted type of search engine.)
How can I navigate visitors to their target destinations?

You can make rules using “@@@” codes. To make it more flexible, you can use variables as well.
Can I use an external ASP service for LPO?

Yes. You can insert their script into the pages in HeartCore.

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7-9. System Integrations

Can I integrate HeartCore with an external database? If so, are the @@@ codes allowed?

Yes. With using HeartCore “extension” function, you can create your own @@@ codes for integration with other systems.
Can I integrate HeartCore with LDAP?

Yes. OpenID is also available for the integration with HeartCore.

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7-10. @@@ Special Codes

What is a “@@@” code?

To perform dynamic processing, a dynamic website usually needs to be programmed. However, HeartCore can handle this programming work with the @@@ special codes which are similar to Excel functions. This helps people with minimal programming experience and meet their objectives with ease.
What kind of the @@@ codes are provided?

HeartCore provides a lineup of approximately 800 different codes. These codes are often used for content information, template component operations, in-site search results, message board information, product information presentation, e-commerce items, registered user information, personal page items, content references, content lists, content counts, and content database items.
What if I need functionality that extends beyond the scope of the provided @@@ codes?

There is no way to directly embed traditional programming languages, but you can create and embed your own @@@ codes with elements called "extension” functions written in JSP+Java language. Also, you can create as many codes as you need.
Can I use my own @@@ codes, extensions and add-ons with no modification after upgrading?

It is our policy to maintain backward compatibility in releasing new versions of our products. In most cases, your original @@@ codes and extensions work correctly in new versions as well without any modification. Please remember, however, to test them carefully before activating them. Regarding add-ons developed yourself, please contact us in advance as they might depends on the environment.

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7-11. Commerce

Does HeartCore provide a function for Credit Settlement?

HeartCore provides a module which can integrate with settlement acting system by SMBC Finance Service. For other settlement services, please contact us.
Can I integrate order confirmation data with enterprise system?

HeartCore is designed to save order confirmation data into database. The data can be exported as a CSV file for integration with enterprise system.
Can I use services such as sales accounting, shipping control and inventory management?

Since these services are different within companies, it requires additional system development. However, most of our customers integrate it with their existing back-end systems.
Can I add new product attributes?

Yes. It is easy to add new attributes to the database on the administration screen. You can add as many attributes as you want.
Is SSL supported?

Yes.

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7-12. Community

Is a default template provided for Blog?

Yes, but it is better to create your own template to suit your design.
What SNS and how does HertCore support?

HeartCore provides @@@ codes for integration with major social networking services (Facebook, mixi and twitter etc.). You can use it alone or in combination with templates.

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7-13. Questionnaire (Survey)

Can I create a questionnaire form from scratch? Is a sample form provided?

No sample form is provided, but you can create it easily.
How can I tally up the results?

You can use @@@ codes for automatic result counting.

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7-14. E-mail Distribution

What can / cannot I do with HeartCore e-mail distribution function?

You can create rich / simple text emails and also insert a stored content into emails. However, some of the special features such as scheduled distribution, history management or error mail processing are not supported. If you want to send huge number of emails, we can offer an optional dedicated distribution service.
Do I need a mail server?

Yes, a mail server is required.

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7-15. Access Statistics

What kind of information can I collect?

You can collect views and visitor count arranged by time and page, referrer information (search keywords, referrer URL, source domain, etc.) and page transition information.
Is it easy enough even for marketing staff to use Access Statistics?

HeartCore Access Statistics provide basic access information, which can be viewed by anyone. If you require more advanced and detailed data, we recommend you to use a specialized access analysis tool. You can easily add the analysis tags in content through HeartCore administrator interface.
Is it possible to specify the period to store the access data?

Yes. We also estimate the amount of space required to store data in a database server.