Admin Simple Create Order [Support Thread]

[DivaVocals]

Did I overdramatize? You need to merge.... I.e. update original with either and then check for collissions when merging the other. (sure - normal merge procedure.)

Well if you are looking for a way to NOT have to do the files merges, then I'm afraid I don't have a suggestion.. Like MANY other Zen Cart modes, you will have to perform merges when there are changes to core Zen Cart files when an override is not an option. No override options in the admin I'm afraid..

If you wanted to take my suggestions for implementing a manual order process, you'll just have to roll up your sleeves and do the work.. I'm willing to do this work to have a PROPERLY working manual/phone order process than spend time trying to put lipstick on a pig which IMHO is what any continued efforts to get Create Orders to work would amount to. IMHO Create Orders attempts to come up with a QUICK solution to what is a much more complex/detailed process. It's not what I would consider a GOOD long term solution in it's present form..

[DivaVocals]

Just wanted to make it clear here that Admin Simple Create Orders has NOT been tested with the latest Edit Orders release (Edit Orders v3.0) nor will I be doing ANY testing in this regard.. You are free to do your own if you like..

If you try and use create_orders.php with Edit Orders v3.0 and find you have issues, please DO NOT post your order creation issues in the Edit Orders thread.. (no support will be forthcoming for using create_orders.php with Edit Orders v3.0 in the Edit Orders support thread)

If you want a better way of creating manual/phone orders, please see this thread:
http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showpo...4&postcount=77

[DivaVocals]

I was brought to my attention that apparently folks may not have read this post correctly and have misinterpreted some or all of what I said.. (though I thought what I posted was pretty detailed and clear)

So let me be CRYSTAL clear.. If you READ what I posted, nowhere do I say that Super Orders or Edit Orders or COWOA or any other module I cite in this post BY THEMSELVES will allow you to create manual orders..

What I proposed is using the COMBINATION of these modules to put together a well PLANNED manual order process.. (which is kinda what Admin Simple Create Orders TRIED to do but IMHO is not quite the right approach -- as evidenced by the reported issue with the module)

I don't understand why so many folks seem to be looking for some kind of "one size fits all" manual order processing module..

There will NEVER be a "one button/click" solution for that process. Admin Simple Create Orders when it HALFWAY worked wasn't even that kind of solution...

Manual orders MUST follow all the same basic steps that a customer executes when they order from the front end.. Manual orders don't change this process at all.

Manual orders require the following steps:

• Select a customer or create a customer if they don't already exist
• Select products
• Select product attributes (if required)
• Select a shipping method
• Select a payment method
• Process payment
• Send order confirmation to customer

These are the EXACT same steps required for a customer to order from your store.. A manual order module isn't going to cut ANY of these steps out.. So I don't know why there's this perception that this is a NEEDED module..

Even if any such module is developed in the future it would DUPLICATE ALL of the functionality of the modules I suggest be used to put together a carefully PLANNED manual order process.. Where's the benefit of a manual order module other than satisfying a misconception??

So after spending a bit of time banging on this module I've come to one UN-DENIABLE conclusion.

DrByte and other wise Zen Cart sages are absolutely right.. This mod is NOT the right way to go about creating manual orders in Zen Cart. As DrByte pointed out to me, adding front end functionality to the store backend is an inherently BAD idea. One update to Zen Cart, or the add-ons create_orders.php NEEDS to work, and this add-on is INSTANTLY "so last week".

Let's face it.. Create Orders IMHO is "so last week" right now!!!

There are three deal breaker reasons which led me to the conclusion that I will not be using this add-on in it's current form.

1. Creates an empty order in order for you to "edit" it to make it a REAL order. Frankly speaking this workflow is BASSACKWARDS. It puts the proverbial cart before the horse.
2. The issue with the required changes to functions/general.php (recently reported by khopek -- )
3. The fixed values for shipping and payment method that are displayed in the order list, and CANNOT be modified even if the order details are edited. The only way to see the selected shipping and payment methods is to open the order details. The only workaround I found was to change these fixed values to something more generic so that they at least made more sense when you viewed the order list..

The empty order thing was something I could (kinda) live with if the rest of the mod wasn't so sloppy.

Other issues I found:

• The shipping rate tables don't correctly display rates and they do not display the shipper (only the method)
• The e-mail confirmation functionality is inconsistent, and makes use of a popup for the e-mail confirmation versus using the Zen Cart message stack.
• The interaction with Add Customer from Admin and the fact that Create Orders does NOT correctly grab customer data for customers who created their account in the store. (reported ad nauseum by yours truly.. )

Now I hate threads where folks just RAIL on a mod and offer no real alternate solution.. They JUST want to tell you they think it sucks.. I wanted to share my ENTIRE journey to finding a GOOD manual order process.. Hope nobody minds..

So based on my findings I will NOT be using this mod EVER (unless it's ever re-written CORRECTLY - then I MIGHT reconsider). What I think makes better sense is to do some PROPER planning and outline a manual order workflow and find the appropriate add-ons to support this workflow. In my experience, this is the BEST way to get not only a workable, but a SUSTAINABLE solution. IMHO, Create Orders the way it sits today is NOT that.

Wanted to share what I've come up with for those following this thread who want a WORKABLE manual order process..

I started by doing this the way I typically do when I'm working with users on requirements for software systems.. I mapped g out ON PAPER what I thought my final workflow should look like.. This is IMHO the BEST way to get a handle on what your final solution SHOULD look like..

Once you know what your process SHOULD look like, then see which add-ons you need to help support your new process..

Now all that said, here's how I will approach this for my clients.

I suggest using the following add-ons as a part of your manual order process:

• COWOA (Checkout without Account)
  http://www.zen-cart.com/index.php?ma...oducts_id=1655
• Admin Login As Customer
  http://www.zen-cart.com/index.php?ma...roducts_id=829
• Super Orders
  http://www.zen-cart.com/index.php?ma...roducts_id=257

With these three modules I think you can work out a very streamlined manual order process without all the problems this add-on has.. It will allow you to take advantage of the built in order management features of Zen Cart, while providing you a functional way to process manual orders..

With COWOA, you can create an order on behalf of your customers who do not have an account with your store without having to create an account for them. You can either use the customers own e-mail address or you can use a store e-mail address for ALL your manual orders. You can then manage the order in your store admin as you would manage any other order received.. If you use the customer e-mail address, the customer will receive an order confirmation and an order number which they can then track online (with the right settings in COWOA) using NORMAL Zen Cart features. You will also be able to send out order updates, print invoices, packingslips, etc all from the comfort of your Zen Cart admin. (If you use a "store" e-mail account for your manual orders, the customer would not get any order messages nor would they be able to login to track their order)

With Admin Login as Customer, you will be able to login on behalf of customers who already have an account in your store and create orders for them. Again you can then manage the order in your store admin as you would manage any other order received.. The customer will receive an order confirmation and an order number which they can then track online using NORMAL Zen Cart features. You will also be able to send out order updates, print invoices, packingslips, etc all from the comfort of your Zen Cart admin.

With Super Orders you can enter payment information for your manual orders (using the credit card transaction number as the payment number or the check/money order received). This will allow you to SEE which manual orders are paid or not. This payment entry feature also allows you to send the customer payment confirmations for manually processed credit card transactions and/or check/money orders received, etc..

Additionally I also suggest the following add-ons to fully round out your manual order process:

• Ty Package Tracker (http://www.zen-cart.com/index.php?ma...roducts_id=167) as a means to enter the shipper tracking information to send out to your customers. This allows your customers to track their order shipment online as well.
• Edit Orders (http://www.zen-cart.com/index.php?ma...oducts_id=1818) as a means to edit your manual orders if needed.
• Add Customers from Admin (http://www.zen-cart.com/index.php?ma...roducts_id=454) as a means to add customers to your store should the customer want/need a store account for future orders.

BTW, Edit Orders v3.0 and Super Orders v3.0 (pending submission/activation) now offers easy integration with Ty Package Tracker v3.0 (also pending submission and approval)

NEXT...

You'll need to of course work out details on what payment module will work best with your manual order process.. You could clone the check/money order module and call it something like "Online Orders" so that you have a payment module which will allows you to complete your manual order.. (there are TONS of threads in the forum which discuss how to clone a payment module)

If you want a "manual orders only" payment method (keep your regular online customers from using it), instructions on how to go about doing this can be found here: http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?p=950145

Now EVEN BETTER, I found FOUR (and there may be others) payment modules already AVAILABLE in the Zen Cart downloads which seem VERY suitable for implementing a manual order process.

• Credit Card by Phone or Fax
  http://www.zen-cart.com/index.php?ma...roducts_id=592
  This payment module provides a payment method for customers who despite SSL pages and privacy policies still don't like submitting credit card details over the internet, but who wish to pay by credit card for their convenience or so that they don't have to wait for check clearance etc before the goods ship.
• Account Holders
  http://www.zen-cart.com/index.php?ma...roducts_id=511
  "This is a simple rework of the existing CHECK/MONEYORDER Module, and it behaves in exactly the same way as CHECK/MONEYORDER. The fundamental difference is that it creates a Payment Option (at STAGE 2 of CHECKOUT) titled "Account Holders Only". Shoppers who select this option will be able to complete checkout and will be informed that if they are legitimate account holders, their order will be shipped and they will be "billed" or "invoiced" at a later date."
• Direct Bank Deposit
  http://www.zen-cart.com/index.php?ma...roducts_id=151
  "This is a payment module that allow you customer deposite money to up bank account option. This module basicly it display all your bank information during the checkout."
• Ceon Manual Card
  http://www.zen-cart.com/index.php?ma...oducts_id=1277
  "This Payment Module allows the shop owner to accept Credit/Debit Card payments for inputting into a Manual/Offline Card Processing System."
  Note: PCI compliance issues may prevent you from using this add-on, but I know there are folks who still use this, so I listed it here anyway..

My suggestion to those interested in this add-on is that unless this add-on is re-written in a more solid fashion, instead of banging your head against the wall trying to find a QUICK solution that doesn't work very well, why not shoot for a GOOD workable solution instead.. This WILL make things better for you in the LONG TERM..

So that's my story and I'm sticking to it!! I am REALLY tapping out of this add-on now..

[jpietrowiak]

Hi,
I have read alot of posts saying create orders is not needed and is out of date. But for the life of me I cannot figure out how to do the following since I was originally using create orders before upgrading to 3.0 for edit and super.

With create orders I was able to create an order with a combination of both store items as well as products that are NOT IN THE STORE (my main problem). How would I create an order without the mod that I can add items not within Zencart and manually put prices and descriptions for each line item in them. Then process an order.

The login as customer works fine if everything is in the store. Its items that I would like to sell the customer that are not in the store that is the problem. I need to add the description cost ect even if I put it to a blanket single product and just edit them with edit orders after I place the order. But I do not want them notified until after the order is placed and fully complete after editing to add nonstore items.

Please let me know your thoughts on how to acomplish this as I have searched hi and low for a solution that create orders seemed to work ok for (granted I have no clue what it does on the back end and it looks like it had problems from many posts). I am not a coder by any means so I have no way of writing code or modules. Just looking for a solution.

Thanks

[jpietrowiak]

Let me clarify what I need to do-(since simple orders no longer works).

• Create an order (blank or with catalog products in it) that does NOT send to customer.

From here I can do the rest. Meaning add a "misc product" to catalog. Then edit the description of it and price to make it a non catalog item. Then send invoice for both not in store and store products.

[jpietrowiak]

Let me clarify what I need to do-(since simple orders no longer works).

• Create an order (blank or with catalog products in it) that does NOT send to customer.

From here I can do the rest. Meaning add a "misc product" to catalog. Then edit the description of it and price to make it a non catalog item. Then send invoice for both not in store and store products.

Anyone have any ideas how to do this??

[stesouthby]

can any one tell me how to remove this module i forgot to back up my zencart before installing stupid mistake

[DarkEmotions]

can any one tell me how to remove this module i forgot to back up my zencart before installing stupid mistake

Just remove the extra files included, then for any core files the mod has changed, as long as they haven't been modified before, just download the same version of zen cart, upload the files that have been over written and hopefully this should be ok, everything depends on how much access you have. If you need any more help with this, please ask :)

[DivaVocals]

Hi i was wondering if i could get your copy of the simple create order. I have ivan's version but its for an older version of zen cart i have the current 1.39h and whne i go to add a product under create order the page goes blank also it wont let me delete any of the orders.

Hope you don't mind.. I'm posting my answer here so that the entire community can benefit from the question and the answer..

I don't have a new version of this at all.. The issue you have has everything to do with the OLD version of Edit Orders included in with this monstrosity.. and as I have posted about in this thread, unless and when this module is COMPLETELY re-written to correctly manage a manual order process in Zen Cart I don't advocate this module at all. (for reasons which I outline in EXCRUCIATING detail here in this support thread)

I also outlined a suggested process for a more fully flushed out manual order process which does NOT include ANY part of this mod at all..

[simondale123]

I want to use Create Order to create credit notes (IE invoices with negative values) to reverse items ordered and then cancelled on previous invoices. This is so that when I export my orders to Sage everything balances.

The process I would follow:

Customer orders 3 items. Then he realises 1 item is a mistake and wants to cancel it.

Using Edit Orders I would edit the order to say "*CANCELLED*" in front of the line item in question and "*CANCELLED*" in the product code. I would not delete the item nor change the price because this would no longer match with the payment received (this causing a headache for my accountant).

I would then create a new order with Create Order, choose the same customer, add the same product but put a - in front of the price. I would then issue a refund for that amount through Paypal.

The result would, I think, be an order with a matching payment for the full amount and a credit note, with a matching refund in Sage. This all seems to work on my v1.3.8 test server but obviously not on my recently upgraded v1.3.9 live server.

Does anyone know of an alternative way of doing what I'm trying to achieve?

Thanks

Simon