[Standard disclaimer: Every week Topspin releases updates to its software platform. Each week we code-name the release after a band we love. This week's release is code-named "Air" and as such this blog post is about a software release code-named the same. It does not mean Air is working with Topspin, as much as we may wish that to be true. Also, any musical opinions expressed in this release announcement belong to Topspin's Tim Read and should not be taken as official Topspin opinions. Enjoy. -ian]
AIR
Bonjour! We’ve completed two runs through the alphabet, and we begin the third run through!
And some tunes from Air:
Alone In Kyoto
Playground Love
Le Soleil Est Près De Moi
La Femme d’Argent
THE SOFTWARE
VIP ACCESS – REFINED AND REDEEMABLE
With a couple weeks in the field, we got some great feedback on how to improve the VIP Access product from Parker, who has been collaborating constantly with the product team on getting the tools built that he and the app’s users need.
Redemption Changes
The first notable change is that the redemption for access now flows through a lightbox similar to how the purchase flow works. This allows the redemption flow to occupy a substantially smaller footprint on a page (similar to a buy button: as small or large as you may desire), while giving it the flexibility to make as many screen transitions that it needs. This helps us provide a more consistent VIP Access experience to fans, as well as give us a clean framework to eventually request more data from fans via the redemption widget.
Purchase of Access: Screenflow changes and enhancements
Now when you purchase access, you will see in the purchase flow the name of the VIP Access product that’s being purchased. Similarly, when you get your receipt, you will see the email and network you used to set up the VIP Access product.
If you’re cookie’d or already logged in, the flow will be a little more straightforward. Instead of six social media options, you’ll just see the option for the network you used to sign up. Going forward, the purchase experience doesn’t change.
And finally, if you forgot which network you used to sign in originally, you can just use the new function in the flow to retrieve your login information via email.
WEIGHT BASED SHIPPING REVISIONS
More work this week on the path of fulfillment and orders, continuing from last week’s major series of application updates. This week, we introduce the following changes:
Optional Per-Artist Rate Cards: Fulfilling for someone who will be doing enough volume to merit a lower rate? Want to cut someone a special deal? Then you now have the option to upload a set of rate cards and designate what artists will get those special rates. The choice to set artists can be made when uploading, or after upload.
Allow Blacklisting Countries: If you need to blacklist certain countries from your rate card and want to be absolutely sure they’re not allowed, there’s a new UI in the rate card area to set country exclusions. You can also set exclusions on upload. So if you absolutely, positively want to be sure that the Chancellor-Exchequer Of The Third Royal Court Of Lagos, Nigeria is not allowed to kindly purchase, simply exclude Nigeria.
Canadian Postal Code Ranges: Much like US postal code ranges, you can now designate Canadian postal code ranges. Now, you can offer the best possible price on shipping a couple toques and some Elsinore beer to Ottawa.
Weight Based Exports Show Shipping: When exporting orders in line-item format, you’ll be getting the shipping rate charged by line item.
Better Progress Updates on Upload: Now when you upload a rate card, you’ll get a popup showing you the process being made as the rate card is uploaded. Watch those rows increment as they get parsed! If you’ve ever wondered if your huge rate card is going anywhere, this feature is for you.
FLAT FEE SHIPPING REVISION
We didn’t forget those who are still using flat-fee shipping! The interface has changed.
As before, you’ll set a standard shipping rate. However, now, right next to the flat-fee shipping cost is a tree-based view of the world. You can quickly set prices by regions (using the blue arrows) and manage exceptions on a per-country basis much quicker than before. For anyone who’d ever experienced the pain of setting shipping rates on the flat-fee system in Europe: this one’s for you.
ORDERS TAB: REFUNDED FILTER
Ever needed to see what orders have been refunded? You’ve got a new tool at your disposal: the ‘Refunded’ filter.
AFFILIATE TRACKING ON PURCHASE
Purchase buttons can now track through to completion of sale a business user ID. This business user can then be credited with the conversion of a purchase. This is most relevant on the Store API, which will begin to automatically structure embed codes to pass the ID through automatically. This is a key first step in setting up an affiliate program, which we can use to syndicate Store API even wider and give incentives for displaying the offers. Which, in turn, equals more $$$ for artists.
AND MORE…
Also you’ll see the Factory SKU and UPC in the shipping area for any receipts (by request); First & Last name on ticketing guest lists have been split into separate fields for purchasers and recipients; APIs will return a error message when quantities are updated on SKUs via API; and all widgets now have a direct-send styled page — a great thing to help ease the “what am I sharing” debate, as well as to start allowing more social media integration.
Flat fee shipping revision *PARTY*