Offline Zencart Database Inventory Management

[JollyJim]

Hello everyone
I know it has been quite some time since I have been on the zencart forum but I have been kept busy doing other things.

I have been dusting off some old projects and I am revisiting them. One of these is the Zencart help system and the other is an offline database synchronisation system for Zencart.

I have successfully managed to create a one-button click database in MS Access which faithfully recreates the default zencart tables, each with the columns required by Zencart. With another click it exports the entire database as a mysql dump file.

Currently it does not populate the tables with default data but there are many potential uses already. For example it could form the starting base for devloping a custom inventory management system, or a method of restoring the default settings for zencart (assuming the tables are populated with data). It could be synchronised with the online zencart so changes made offline are instantly uploaded online. The possibilities, whilst not endless, are certainly worthy of exploration.

I initially developed it as a platform for containing the help tutorials (see helpfiles.co.uk/cms and also ##############.helpfiles.co.uk )

Before I spend lots of time creating custom forms, cleaning up the code and generally making this into a full blown project I would like some feedback on whether people think this is worthwhile.

Please note: I will NOT release the code until I feel it is stable enough for public testing.

Thanks all

Jim

[afo]

This sounds like it might be an interesting alternative to Easy Populate. Is there an interface on the PC side?

[JollyJim]

This sounds like it might be an interesting alternative to Easy Populate. Is there an interface on the PC side?

Hi Afo
Currently there is no interface of any real interest other than an MS Access form with two buttons. However, with (a lot of) work it can become a full blown clone of the online admin system. It is not meant to replace Easy Populate, rather complement existing modules and provide a more flexible way of working. Certainly by creating a connection between Access and the Online database there is scope for data transfer between tables, and the mysql dump file creation provides a flexible method of backing up and restoring the database/s.

It is also possible to adapt the system (with time) to create the tables used by other carts such as OSC in order to create a cross-cart import/export mechanism. Obviously it is very early days and really depends on what people want, time involved and if anyone is willing to help with ideas, testing and interface design.

In order to accomplish the more advanced features I would like to achieve, there needs to be input (pun intended) from potential users and possibly some contribution designing the user interface.

Thoughts anyone?

[chuck]

Why go to all that trouble when m a g n e t i c o n e has already done it?

[JollyJim]

Why go to all that trouble when m a g n e t i c o n e has already done it?

Probably because:

a) Not everyone has the money to pay for their software
b) open source software should have open source contributions IMHO
c) there is always scope for new contributions - especially if they are open source
d) there is a definite need for a community led contribution

I have never seen or evaluated that company's software and it may indeed provide the complete solution but if it did my thinking is everyone would be using it. I still think there is a need for a solution which is defined by the needs of the zencart community and which is open source so it can additional spawn custom solutions.

By the way - I do not mean to be dismissive or disrespectful about the software created by magneti cone - I just think there is scope for additional open source solutions.

[JollyJim]

I am rather surprised this thread has not generated more interest but then I guess that is because it as moved from General Questions to Contributions/Addons where les people are likely to see it.

Any other comments?

[schoolboy]

Probably because:

a) Not everyone has the money to pay for their software
b) open source software should have open source contributions IMHO
c) there is always scope for new contributions - especially if they are open source
d) there is a definite need for a community led contribution

I have never seen or evaluated that company's software and it may indeed provide the complete solution but if it did my thinking is everyone would be using it. I still think there is a need for a solution which is defined by the needs of the zencart community and which is open source so it can additional spawn custom solutions.

By the way - I do not mean to be dismissive or disrespectful about the software created by magneti cone - I just think there is scope for additional open source solutions.

I tried out the magnetic one system for a while and i found it to be comprehensive and well-constructed - indicating that someone had put in huge time and expertise into that project.

I suppose that this is the issue really... not many people have the time to spend on free mods of this magnitude.

Of course, prize one is free add-ons - and it's nice to know we have quite a few of them!

[Scrat]

JollyJim An interesting idea, one I have been mulling over for a few months now.(Python-Glade GUI with Remote MySql access)
As for an alternative to EP, the problem I see is that attributes are a real pain at the moment with too many queries from tables and with the looming ZC 2.0 is this going to change in the new version ? as stock by attributes will be a core feature and how this will change attributes.
Question :- , what format are you downloading the data from ZC - sql dump ?
I'm all for a PC based app. as I want to link my Epos stock to ZC with real time stock holding as we are shop and web based.

[JollyJim]

JollyJim An interesting idea, one I have been mulling over for a few months now.(Python-Glade GUI with Remote MySql access)
As for an alternative to EP, the problem I see is that attributes are a real pain at the moment with too many queries from tables and with the looming ZC 2.0 is this going to change in the new version ? as stock by attributes will be a core feature and how this will change attributes.
Question :- , what format are you downloading the data from ZC - sql dump ?
I'm all for a PC based app. as I want to link my Epos stock to ZC with real time stock holding as we are shop and web based.

Hi Scrat
I have adopted a bottom up approach using Excel and Access. Generally speaking Excel is great for data input into one spreadsheet in the same way Easypopulate works. Access is great for the automation side of things and for running code and queries to manipulate the data. Both Excel and Access do not require expert knowledge so the combination is suitable for even basic users - and they work on the PC.

With regards to the question about Attributes and ZC 2.0 - I prefer to start with the current versions and build the new versions later when they become available. Plenty of users will stay with the 1.3.7 and 1.3.8 release of Zencart even after Zencart 2.0 is released. This will mean writing some VB modules to handle the attributes and manipulation of the data. Once the affected tables are identified even stock by attributes should be achievable.

When ZC 2.0 is realeased the code for this can be added so the user could choose which tables to generate and which version to upload. Sure it is lots of work which is probably why nobody has done it as an open source contribution, but the benefits appear obvious.

To answer your question about what format I am downloading the data from ZC there is a choice of formats. The SQL dump is the most obvious but there is also a direct connection between mysql and access to populate the Access tables. Or export individual tables as Excel files and import them into access this way. Eventually I would like to code a module which connects the mysql database with the Access database from within the Access DB but it will not be any time soon.

I would love to hear what you and others think and what should be included.