Why Active Circle?

Active Circle is a service of Active Interface, Inc., a web development firm in business since 1998. The founder of Active Interface, Chris Harrington, teaches, presents, and writes on XML Web Service topics. Chris has used Amazon Web Services (AWS) in course work and tutorials since its inception. Out of this work came the desire to broaden the reach and availability of this technology.

The power of AWS is awesome, but the complexity can be daunting. We are striving in our eStorefront portal services to expose this power while hiding its complexity - so that any organization can leverage Amazon's vast product catalog on their web site. We are also striving for a unique user experience in our web portals. Our high-fidelity "web service browser" adds new dimensions to on-line shopping enjoyment. Our classic portal follows strict web standards to make the site accessible to the widest range of users and devices.

The Internet as a fundraising vehicle is in its infancy. Schools, clubs, churches, and other organizations are learning that their members are more than willing to route purchases through the organization's e-storefront, knowing that doing so will give financial benefit to their school, church, etc. Our clients are free to create and host their own eStorefront, or to merely provide links directly to Amazon. We therefore have an incentive to build it better and make it easier - so that our clients remain our clients.