Can Zen Cart Be Used An An Invoicing System?

**SyntheticShield** · 3 Feb 2007, 05:50 PM

I recently switched all my PC's over to Linux after getting some kina fed up with windows. When I did this, I lost the ability for the most part, to use my invoicing software I had on the PC.

I use ZenCart on my website and it has worked well. I tried searching for a Linux Open Source invoicing package but havent really come up with a good solution. Then it hit me, I have one on my website, could it possibly be used to create local invoices?

I would like ZenCart to work pretty much as it does on the website. Load my inventory, figure up the shipping cost, etc. But on the website each customer has their own login so they can order products. This wouldnt work out too well on a laptop. I would rather just type in http://localhost/zencart and have it pull up to some kind of order entry interface. I still would like to keep track of the customers, but I dont want to have to login each and every time as a different customer. I dont mind logging in for myself to keep it from being totally open access, but keeping track of each customer individually and logging in as such I figure would be a pain.

ZenCart has trememdous features as an ecommerce solution for my website, but I need something for my local orders and I would really like to use ZenCart if possible so Im not using multiple products for the same thing essentially.

So, can ZenCart do this? If so, can anyone point me in the direction of the information on how to make this happen? Thanks in advance.

**FeraTechInc** · 23 Feb 2007, 08:13 AM

Well you can try to use Wine.

http://www.winehq.com/

I converted my entire company to linux. We currently use Dreamweaver and Adobe Photoshop for our primary design software. With the expensive cost of those two is saves us a lot using linux, mainly Ubuntu.

You should try it. While it has some bugs most software works flawlessly, albeight a bit slower.

**kobra** · 23 Feb 2007, 12:08 PM

Not sure of your need but look in the downloads for "Master Password"

**SyntheticShield** · 23 Feb 2007, 04:45 PM

I tried WINE but it just didnt cut it unfortunately. Speed wasnt really a huge issue, though I dont want to be crawling along either. I havent used Ubuntu yet, the only Linux distros I had really used were FedoraCore and PCLinuxOS, PCLinuxOS seeming to be a bit better for the family as a whole as it was an easier distro to set up overall than FC.

I'll try looking for the Master Password dowload though and see what that yields.

I bought a new laptop and right now it is on Windows XP until I can find a suitable solution for the invoicing and inventory. As soon as I do, however, it too will be on Linux.

**FeraTechInc** · 23 Feb 2007, 07:08 PM

The compatibility Wine has varies greatly with the Linux distro you use.
www.winehq.com

We mainly choose Ubuntu because it is even easier to install than Windows. You can download a Live Ubuntu CD to check for hardware compatibility. We use it as a webserver and on several laptops and desktops. Wine is also very well integrated into it and we haven't had any problems running Windows programs.
www.ubuntu.com

If you are looking for something different you can try OpenOffice. Their Base program is just like Microsoft Access and allows you to completely build your invoice system from the ground up. Their wizard is very easy to use and takes about an hour to get everthing set up with custom invoice and client database. You can also import clients as long as they are comma delineated.
www.openoffice.org

If you are looking specifically for a Zen Cart module there is:
http://www.zen-cart.com/index.php?ma...products_id=83

Hope it helps. I'm new to the ZenCart scene so I don't know all the ins and outs yet.

**SyntheticShield** · 23 Feb 2007, 07:32 PM

Thank you FeraTechInc for the info.

I already use OpenOffice, even on windows. I just can see spending the money you have to on MS Office when you have an OpenSource, OpenDoc application such as OpenOffice. Though I must admit, I have also tried building a invoicing system with Base as well, though not using the wizard, and havent had much success with that.

I'll be checking out the link to the module you provided as well. Its starting to look more and more that I can use ZenCart just as I had hoped.