Admin Simple Create Order [Support Thread]

[DivaVocals]

I am assuming the tables were removed from the edit_orders.php files correct? If so I will have a guy I know hit it up and see if it can be added back properly, just making sure I am sending him in the right direction.

Not sure what you mean by this question (database tables, shipping tables, HTML tables??)..

So let me say this.

The shipping rate code is code Ivan added to the edit_orders.php files which attempted to pull in the same shipping rate data that customer's see in the store. There are two class files in the Create Orders fileset which support this code's functionality. (I posted the names of those files earlier in this thread)

As I have posted previously, the shipping rate table code did NOT work the way it should have. It did not display the correct shipping rates for flat rate shipping or per item shipping, and needs to be FULLY tested that it works for all shipping modules.. UPS appeared to work fine, but I did not test USPS. Furthermore it should also support FedEx shipping for those who use the FedEx shipping module. (as far as I can tell Ivan's code would not support the FedEx shipping module)

So when I submit a new version of Create Orders it will be without the shipping rates table code. IMHO a mod with HALF/NON WORKING functionality is not USEFUL to the community.

[bluedotted]

I agree but I am making sure I was sending the right direction to him edit_orders.php was the answer I was looking for.

I will have him compare the two versions and see what he can do maybe with some luck it will not be as hard as we think.

[DivaVocals]

I agree but I am making sure I was sending the right direction to him edit_orders.php was the answer I was looking for.

I will have him compare the two versions and see what he can do maybe with some luck it will not be as hard as we think.

It's not about being HARD. For someone who knows programming I'm sure it will be a snap to put this together. But (no offense to Ivan) while this (rate tables) was a good IDEA, the execution of it in this mod left a LOT to be desired.

For this feature to be done right it requires some PLANNING and forethought not simply just some code slapped together..

DrBtye is right.. What this requires does indeed involve duplicating a ton of storefront code in the admin. It'll be great until there is a revision of these same functions through a Zen Cart upgrade. Every time there is a Zen Cart modification which affects the rate tables in the storefront code, the code would also have to be updated on the admin side.. It's a small nightmare to code this, and it's also a nightmare to MAINTAIN this. ESPECIALLY since this mod is depending on two independent mods to function..

[khopek]

I finally traced down a MAJOR problem with Zone Definitions to the Simple Create Order Mod. When replacing the block of code in /functions/general.php, the dropdown menus no longer show country/state options in Locations/Taxes -> Zones Defitions. So I cannot create zones, or use shipping modules with defined zones, as it does not work.\

Any solution for this?

[sleepgone]

ZenCart V. 1.3.9h from ZC v. 1.3.9e
installed mods: easypopulate, edit orders, add customers, time adjust

I've checked out the forum as best I can with the time I have for an answer to my problem. Can't seem to find anything that answers it directly. The Two problems I'm having is that once I click the "ADD PRODUCT" button, I am redirected to the admin homepage instead of a product choice. However, when I go to create order I get an error loading page message -

Webpage error details

User Agent: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 8.0; Windows NT 5.1; Trident/4.0; GTB6.6; SearchToolbar 1.2; Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; SV1) ; InfoPath.2; .NET CLR 1.1.4322; .NET CLR 2.0.50727; .NET CLR 3.0.4506.2152; .NET CLR 3.5.30729; .NET4.0C; .NET4.0E)
Timestamp: Thu, 9 Dec 2010 01:38:25 UTC


Message: 'null' is null or not an object
Line: 17
Char: 7
Code: 0
URI: http://www.landdgifts.net/stri8602/e...=7&action=edit

Not sure if this really has anything to do with the actual problem I'm having.

Also, when adding a customer through admin, there is no place to put in a default password. When trying to logon from the store front get the error message that the information given doesn't match user profile.

Not too concerned about the shipping mod used as that can be changed. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Daniel Strickland
http://www.landdgifts.net/

[DivaVocals]

once I click the "ADD PRODUCT" button, I am redirected to the admin homepage instead of a product choice.

This is an Edit Orders issue and the answer has been posted in both THIS thread (check back 2 or 3 pages) and in the Edit Orders support thread.. Bottomline is this requires an update to Edit Orders.

However, when I go to create order I get an error loading page message -

Webpage error details

User Agent: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 8.0; Windows NT 5.1; Trident/4.0; GTB6.6; SearchToolbar 1.2; Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; SV1) ; InfoPath.2; .NET CLR 1.1.4322; .NET CLR 2.0.50727; .NET CLR 3.0.4506.2152; .NET CLR 3.5.30729; .NET4.0C; .NET4.0E)
Timestamp: Thu, 9 Dec 2010 01:38:25 UTC


Message: 'null' is null or not an object
Line: 17
Char: 7
Code: 0
URI: http://www.landdgifts.net/stri8602/e...=7&action=edit

Not sure if this really has anything to do with the actual problem I'm having.

Though I suspect it's the general.php file that is causing the error, this is a GUESS.. The error you posted doesn't really help narrow down the problem.. Without seeing the actual Zen Cart error log that corresponds to this error, this doesn't provide enough information to know which file is causing the error.. (this is what the Zen Cart error log will tell you..)

Also, when adding a customer through admin, there is no place to put in a default password. When trying to logon from the store front get the error message that the information given doesn't match user profile.

This is NOT related to Simple Create Orders.. This is how the Add Customers from Admin add-on works. (and WHY it works this way is explained in the mod docs and in the support thread for that mod..) Short answer is that it's considered a better security practice to let the mod generate the password. See the Add Customers from Admin support thread if you need more data on this..

[DivaVocals]

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..

[kalastaja]

Thanks for a thorough walk through! Still adding COWOA and Super Order collides in orders.php... Any nice suggestions, that could save labour?

[DivaVocals]

Thanks for a thorough walk through! Still adding COWOA and Super Order collides in orders.php... Any nice suggestions, that could save labour?

Don't know what you mean by "collides".. How do COWOA and Super Orders "collide" with orders.php??

[kalastaja]

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.)