Connecting your Online Store to SAM

More art centres are relying on their online store as a vital income stream. 
Connecting an Art Centres online store to SAM creates significant time and workload efficiencies for Art Centre staff.

SAM APIv3

To enable secure connections to SAM a new API has been built for new SAM. An API allows different software applications to talk to one another and access a limited set of information. It is required to connect your website to SAM, but it’s only one part.  SAM APIv3 is written in programming languages, so a second connector is required to translate the data and display it on your website. The SAM API v3 is free and included with your SAM subscription.

SAM Web Plugin by Desart

Desart is excited to announce that it has developed 2 new plugins that will make it easier for Art Centres to connect SAM to their online store. The new SAM web plugins will launch with new SAM. The plugins talk directly to the SAM APIv3, translating data into meaningful web pages and are compatible with the e-commerce platforms, Woo-commerce (WordPress) and Shopify.

Desart developed the plugins in response to demand from Art centres for greater choice and more affordability in this area.

What is a Plugin?

Plugins add functionality to your website without needing to write code. In this case, the Plugin extracts and displays data from the SAM APIv3. It acts as the translator, deciphering the information needed and displaying it in a meaningful, easy to understand way on a website.

• The benefits of using a plugin are that you can add functionality to your websites, improving usability and workflow efficiency, without the extra cost of custom development.
• To set up a Plugin, you can use your web designer or do it yourself if you have the skills to build your own e-commerce shop.

SAM APIv3 vs SAM web plugin? – What’s the difference, and what do I need?

• SAM APIv3 is written in programming languages. It will always be required to connect your website to SAM.
• To extract and display data on a website, a second connector that translates the information is required.

You can either use a plugin or a custom-built solution that sits between your website and SAM APIv3.

• Plugin – a plugin adds functionality to your website without requiring you to write code. They are powerful ways to add features to websites, without the extra cost of custom development. There are limitations on what functionality plugins offer and what e-commerce platforms they work with. Do your research!
• Custom-built solution – A bespoke connection built by a web developer to suit an art centre's specific needs. Typically, higher setup costs, and may need updating every few years, but it does not rely on a subscription, and the art centre will own the solution.

Note:
Ensure the plugin you use provides the services you require before signing up. Plugins usually have costs associated with their use. Including an initial signup cost, plus subscription fees, to cover maintenance and updates. If an art centre decides to cancel its subscription, the plugin will stop working, as they don't own the code or plugin outright; they just have a license to use it for the period of their subscription.

Ownership of a custom-built solution will be subject to the T&C of the provision of services and agreements you have in place. If the art centre owns the code & website, you can move it to a new server and hand it off to another developer if you choose to. This might be the best choice for your art centre if you are looking for a more customised solution, where the art centre is in control of and can maintain and pay for the upkeep.

What do I do next?

Most art centres will choose to engage a web designer/developer who is experienced with APIs and/or plugins. Ideally, your web company can provide both design and development services to streamline the process.

Art centre staff experienced in setting up e-commerce websites may wish to try setting up the plugin themselves.

Do your research and look at costs, and your online store needs to help decide whether a plugin or a custom-built solution works best to sit between your website and SAM APIv3.

FAQs

Why isn’t the plugin free with my SAM subscription?  
Desart has invested in developing the plugin to keep costs as low as possible for Art centres. To cover future maintenance and updates, subscription fees are charged to ensure the plugin is up to date and working optimally. 

I’m using a different plugin, not Desart’s - is that okay? 
Yes, absolutely, as long as it works with the new SAM APIv3. We have been keeping web developers up to date on the SAM upgrade and providing them with access to test their plugins and connectors, ready for your transition to new SAM. Reach out to your web developer with any questions about the upgrade.

How do I sign up to use the SAM web Plugin by Desart?

1. The plugin is available as a user-pay subscription directly to the Art Centre. Fees apply and are charged annually. Fees must be paid prior to installation. 
2. Please email all pricing enquiries to help@sam.org.au 
3. Once your subscription is confirmed and paid, we will send you a link to download and install the plugin on your selected e-commerce platform, along with instructions for setting it up.
4. The plugin can then be installed and set up by your Art Centres web designer or developer.
   (If you do not have a web designer or developer, we can provide a list of those currently working with other art centres. Plugin fees DO NOT include installation or setup; these must be done by the Art centre or a third-party developer.)