Blue Pony Digital is digital media content solutions provider for the entertainment industry. They make digital video compositions, photo treatments and video enhancements for any digital output device.

This is actually a revision to the site that I built 18 months ago and the architecture of the site is similar to what it was a year ago at this time, but there have been significant advancements as well. The original code libraries for the framework of the site have been massively reworked to facilitate the migration to SQL Server 2000. The libraries have also been extended to work seamlessly with the new data model that Blue Pony is using to classify and store Gems and Output Files. Of the original code libraries, the most significant advancement is in the Framework library. The site will run as 2 separate applications; the store front and the secured client site with both of these applications sharing configuration information in common.

Configuration data is stored in a common XML file and is read at runtime using a custom class that is a serialized object of the XML configuration file. The XML file contains all aspects of configuration for the site from database connection strings to file paths of clip libraries.

The storefront site works in a way that allows the user to visit the clip libary and add clips to their cart. When they are ready to check out, they are directed to the 128 bit encrypted secure client site. The site is equipped to perform authorizations of credit cards and initiate the sale through the payment networks. If the order is going to be shipped rather than downloaded, the site uses a library that I wrote for another application to acquire the shipping rate in real-time from UPS.com using their XML APIs. The rate is accurately acquired based on the service that the customer selects.

The client section of the site also allows the customer to maintain the details of their account and also gives them access to their account history from which they can download their purchased files, view receipts of past orders or request support for an order.

Orders are managed from a Windows Forms application that I wrote to view online orders and process orders that require shipping. Code libraries are common between the client site, the store front and the Order Management application.