Offline Zencart Database Inventory Management

[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.