Scheduling a new product release in the store

[CaroleAs]

From past tests, it seems like if I want to prepare to have a product to be released at a future date, I cannot really "hide" it; it will be shown in the store but not be available for purchase.

Is there a way to NOT have the product visible at all, until the scheduled release date?

For example, if I create my products ahead of time and want to schedule one release per week (say, I am going on vacation for a few weeks and won't be able to upload/release the products live), can I do that? Natively or with a module?

[mc12345678]

I would think that could mirror the code in includes/init_includes/init_special_funcs.php and one of the associated functions like featured.php to inspect products with a products_available_date and the product is disabled to verify that if the products_available_date is > than 0001-01-01 and the product is disabled and the current date is greater than or equal to the available date to then set the status as enabled...

Before enabling that code, would want to look through the data of the database to be sure that wouldn't be enabling a product that is intended to remain disabled.

I don't know of any plugin that does this.

[CaroleAs]

I think a simple module to do that would be welcome!!!

[Design75]

Why not use the date available. I set in the future, the product will be enabled on that date.

I think a simple module to do that would be welcome!!!

[CaroleAs]

As far as what I could do, it would SHOW the product, while it is not available for purchase. The image and description would still show. Unless I am doing it wrong.

[Design75]

You're right. I was under the impression, that a product that became available would turn on on the given date, but it doesn't. But the logic for that can not be to difficult to implement.

As far as what I could do, it would SHOW the product, while it is not available for purchase. The image and description would still show. Unless I am doing it wrong.

[CaroleAs]

You mean that a mod could be made? I would love that and I think other store owners would benefit from that too!

[Design75]

Yes, that is what i meant . I''l see what i can do for you after the weekend.

You mean that a mod could be made? I would love that and I think other store owners would benefit from that too!

[CaroleAs]

That would be great!

I have a new product released every Friday night. My clients know, and sometimes, stalk the store, waiting for the release! Occasionally, I am ahead of the game and would love to schedule the release ahead (like Wednesday or Thursday), and not have to be at the computer on Friday night to release it, or schedule several weeks ahead. We can schedule emails, newsletters, Facebook posts. It is just time for our store to follow suit!

[mc12345678]

I think a simple module to do that would be welcome!!!

New file:
includes/init_includes/init_special_funcs_disabled_upcoming.php

<?php
/**
 * @copyright 2018
 * @license http://www.zen-cart.com/License/2_0.txt GNU Public License V2.0
 * @author mc12345678
 **/

  if (!isset($_SESSION['today_is'])) {
    $_SESSION['today_is'] = date('Y-m-d');
  }
  if ($_SESSION['today_is'] != date('Y-m-d')) {
    $_SESSION['today_is'] = date('Y-m-d');
    $_SESSION['updateExpirations_upcoming'] = false;
  }


if (!isset($_SESSION['updateExpirations_upcoming']) || $_SESSION['updateExpirations_upcoming'] !== true) {
  /**
   * require the disabled upcoming products functions, auto-enable disabled product.
   */
  require DIR_WS_FUNCTIONS . 'disabled_upcoming.php';
  zen_enable_disabled_upcoming();

}

new file:
includes/functions/disabled_upcoming.php

<?php
/**
 * disabled-upcoming products functions
 *
 * @copyright 2018
 * @license http://www.zen-cart.com/License/2_0.txt GNU Public License V2.0
 * @author mc12345678
 **/

  function zen_set_disabled_upcoming_status($products_id, $status) {
      $sql = "UPDATE " . TABLE_PRODUCTS . "
            SET products_status = " . (int)$status . ", products_date_available = '0001-01-01' WHERE products_id = " . (int)$products_id;

  return $GLOBALS['db']->Execute($sql);
  }

  function zen_enable_disabled_upcoming() {

  $date_range = time();

  $zc_disabled_upcoming_date = date('Ymd', $date_range);

  $disabled_upcoming_query = "SELECT products_id
                                           FROM " . TABLE_PRODUCTS . "
                                           WHERE products_status = 0
                                           AND ((products_date_available <= " . $zc_disabled_upcoming_date . "
                                           AND products_date_available != '0001-01-01'))
                                          ";

  $disabled_upcoming = $GLOBALS['db']->Execute($disabled_upcoming_query);

  if ($disabled_upcoming->RecordCount() > 0) {
    while (!disabled_upcoming->EOF) {
      zen_set_disabled_upcoming_status($disabled_upcoming->fields['products_id'], 1);
      $disabled_upcoming->MoveNext();
    }
  }
 }

Then to initiate the above code (saved for last to tie it together), add the following new file:
includes/auto_loaders/config.enable_disabled_upcoming.php

<?php
/**
 * disabled-upcoming products auto_loader to execute the operations.
 *
 * @copyright 2018
 * @license http://www.zen-cart.com/License/2_0.txt GNU Public License V2.0
 * @author mc12345678
 **/
/**
 *Load just before the other special functions that may include this product.
 */

$autoLoadConfig[149][] = array(
                                      'autoType'=>'init_script',
                                      'loadFile'=>'init_special_funcs_disabled_upcoming.php',
                                     );

Note, there is no "do this for this product, but not that product" type switch incorporated. Ie. any product that has a products_date_available that has passed will be so enabled and the products_date_available will be set/reset to 0001-01-01 as if it never had such a future date...