Integrate Zen into Joomla

aallenlenth:

Let's face it - Zencart is friggin ugly.

Joomla does have some fantastic templates - if there was an easier integration between the two I would have nothing negative to say about ZC

You've hit the nail on the head there, Zen Has every thing for users but loses all respect when it comes to the sharp squares edges and design flaws. Unless ZEN starts to move a bit forward in design I'm afraid that some one else will take over, possibly Magento. (As I know they are looking seriously into a joomla component)

We need some major style and design input for ZEN-CART which Joomla would bring to the party. Zen-Cart and Joomla would be the most powerful system out there

Now I have been doing some research and found that there are a few other CMS that are able to integrate Zen Cart. I was wonder if any one has used Mambo or Drupel and how they compare to Joomla?

Truthfully I cannot wait for for connectage to be release cuase I am starting to think it is a pipe dream

One of Drupal's "flaws" is that there is no decent e-commerce solution for it as of yet.. (last time I looked at Drupal that was still true -- the developers from my regular dayjob confirm that this is still true) Joomla is a fork from the original Mambo CMS project.. There are still some major similarities between the two, but to my knowledge there is no Mambo/Zen integration solution either..

I agree that Cartage is a long ways away. However I also believe that whether it is Cartage or another solution, a Joomla/Zencart solution is really one of those "matter of time/demand" solutions.. I am willing to wait it out since I have a decent enough work around solution for me and my clients.. If I decide that I MUST have it for any particular project, I will simply bite the bullet, and hire a developer to build it for me, and build that cost into the fee I charge my client..

An additional thought.. If there really is a Mambo/Zen integration component out there, with the similarities between Mambo and Joomla, it's possible that this is something that could fairly easily be ported over into a Joomla/Zen solution..

DivaVocals:

An additional thought.. If there really is a Mambo/Zen integration component out there, with the similarities between Mambo and Joomla, it's possible that this is something that could fairly easily be ported over into a Joomla/Zen solution..

Indeed, I think that would be the case. Certainly, the Mambo / Zen integration would give us a good idea of the principles, and also how much integration could be achieved. Then the principles could be applied into current Joomla code.

More than likely, the Zen part of the integration could be very similar, if not the same.

puggy:

Now I have been doing some research and found that there are a few other CMS that are able to integrate Zen Cart. I was wonder if any one has used Mambo or Drupel and how they compare to Joomla?

Can you provide any links to these integrations Puggy?

greyman56:

Indeed, I think that would be the case. Certainly, the Mambo / Zen integration would give us a good idea of the principles, and also how much integration could be achieved. Then the principles could be applied into current Joomla code.

More than likely, the Zen part of the integration could be very similar, if not the same.

Can you provide any links to these integrations Puggy?
Drupal Zen Integration

Cannot find the url for the Mambo but it was either in this forum or this one

As I suspected, the Drupal project is still not ready for "PrimeTime"

This module provides catalog and user integration with the Zen Cart e-Commerce package. It is not yet ready for public consumption and is intended for developers who wish to help with testing and patching the module. A good working knowledge of Zen Cart and Drupal development and administration is highly recommended to use this module.

As for the Mambo projects, I don't see any current movement on any Mambo/Zen integration projects.. The projects I do see threads on all appear to have no activity past 2005.. And as we all know, Both Zen and Mambo have changed quite a bit in those 3 years..

Still no word yet on cartage either :Flush: , looks like is like most others. I am looking into other carts at the moment due to lack of joomla support from here. I am more than will to pay for the bridge but it has to be a bridge not just a wrap around (which I can do myself).

Puggy...

I would say that if you are looking for an immediate ZenCart Joomla integration solution, none of the current projects are going to fulfill an immediate need.. You might be better off paying for the development of a ZenCart Joomla bridge yourself.. I think that if you find a developer willing to undertake the project, that you might find a few folks in the Zen & Joomla communities who are willing to contribute and share the costs of the development with you..

As for other cart solutions for Joomla, there are two which are close to Zen in terms of functionality.. Here's my thoughts on both..

1. VirtueMart - The support forum is NOTORIOUS for it's LACK of support.. MANY questions go unanswered for WEEKS (if they EVER get answered) The project leaders (and their groupies) are as EQUALLY notorious for their position that they do not NEED to support the VirtueMart project by answering questions..

Now mind you the kinds of questions I'm referring to are NOT the newbie "how do I do this" kinds of questions.. The questions I'm referring to have to do with ERRORS in the VirtueMart software. Things like PayPal processing errors, country code errors, and the list goes on and on..

In addition to the utter lack of support, you should consider the immature state of VirtueMart as an e-commerce solution in general.. From what I have seen in the newest version they FINALLY incorporated the notion of "sort numbers".. You wouldn't BELIEVE how convinced the project leaders were that this was not a NEEDED feature (despite the fact that Joomla supports the use of sort order numbers) There is a PayPal Express module, but last time I looked at it, the dev is somewhat stalled, and the module is NOT certified by PayPal nor is it working consistently.

The handling of product attributes is awkward, inventory, and vendor management are also awkward or underdeveloped. The number of shippers supported out the box is lacking, as are the supported payment processors. In short it's a LONG ways from the level of product maturity that ZenCart has achieved.
2. ECJC Online Shop - This is an osCommerce component for Joomla. The project consists of a very small (one or two man) dev team.. I have been watching this project for over two years, and it's getting there, but IMO it is still not ready for primetime just yet unless you have a php developer on your project team to work out the remaining "kinks" and to add additional features not yet a part of this component..

It doesn't support all shipping components out the box (FedX for example) or even all payment modules.. But it has been making some very steady progress towards being something great.. In fact I would say when this one man show gets some more dev support, it will be one of the better Joomla e-commerce components.. It could definitely give Virtuemart a run for their money..

In terms of forum support for this component, it was pretty sucky until recently. Craig (finally) it appears got some support to assist him with fielding some of the old un-addressed questions on the forum, and in moving forward addressing and fixing the most frequently reported bugs.. (including some I had reported) Here's a review that summarizes nice ECJC

I purchased ECJC because it is much more robust than Virtuemart (wish list, affiliate programs, etc.)

It is definitely not for the faint of heart. You need to be an advanced PHP coder to install and operate this beast.

It is extremely difficult to adjust the look - there are no templates. Like earlier versions of oscommerce, the "template" is spread out among dozens of files.

Some oscommerce contribs work fine - others that require a multi-column layout (like gift registry) will just not work.

3. Freeway - built on osCommerce. Bridged to Joomla! etc ...

I wish Zen Cart had the same attribute and stock handling, plus integration for Joomla! as Freeway ... because Zen Cart is fare more stable and down to earth ... ;)

puggy:

I am looking into other carts at the moment due to lack of joomla support from here. I am more than will to pay for the bridge but it has to be a bridge not just a wrap around (which I can do myself).

Can anyone here define what functionality is involved in a "bridge"?

How much of the applications need to be integrated?

greyman56:

Can anyone here define what functionality is involved in a "bridge"?

How much of the applications need to be integrated?

In short ... a bridge is a connection between two separate applications. ;)

Thinking Zen Cart/Joomla! there should be a two way user synch, plus possibility to show the shop inside Joomla! without using a wrapper - plus SEO URLS and meta from the categories/products in store. Possibility for using some of the most important modules inside Joomla! is also needed I guess ... plus plus ...

Shared admin is not needed, but a big plus. :)

PS! The new Joomla! 1.5 is quite fare away from Mambo, compared to Joomla! 1.0 - and is also fare more easy to build on/integrate with.

rued:

3. Freeway - built on osCommerce. Bridged to Joomla! etc ...

I wish Zen Cart had the same attribute and stock handling, plus integration for Joomla! as Freeway ... because Zen Cart is fare more stable and down to earth ... ;)Wow.. This is interesting indeed, and looks like a far superior product to the two Joomla e-commerce components I mentioned.. Only thing I do not see is what shipping methods are supported or even how to add/configure them.. (been playing with the demo.. no luck there)

Still it would be nice to have a bridge to my beloved ZenCart.. sigh

rued:

3. Freeway - built on osCommerce. Bridged to Joomla! etc ...

I wish Zen Cart had the same attribute and stock handling, plus integration for Joomla! as Freeway ... because Zen Cart is fare more stable and down to earth ... ;)

Why do you hint that Freeway is less stable? Can you describe what your issues are? It is osCommerce based so the ideas they have could be useful in a Zen integration / bridge.

It is not that I am looking for immediate satisfaction ( well yes I am ). What I would like to know is if connectage is real and how is it progressing? I have seen sites that open up and promise on thing but then the site just dies with no reason. I would like a bridge between zen and joomla right now but I am willing to wait if this is actually going to happen. I finally got my website to how I want it too look but it is missing one thing, a way for people who use the site to also use the store with out having to create a second account. So far I have successfully bridged my forums, gallery and chat room on my site so they all have one log in. The last piece of the puzzle is Zen Cart.

I have looked at different bridges for both apps to see how they compare and my head started to hurt :frusty: I don't know if it is possible but there should be a bridge for a common app ( example gallery2) in both and use that app as a bridge.

puggy:

So far I have successfully bridged my forums, gallery and chat room on my site so they all have one log in. The last piece of the puzzle is Zen Cart.

I have started looking at the Freeway program and it's Joomla integration. It looks like it is implemented in a nicely structured way. This may be easily adaptable to a ZenCart integration.

I spoke to the head of the company that supports Freeway (he is here in Australia not that far from where I am) and it seems that the changes they have made from it's osCommerce roots are mainly in the admin section, product inventory and attributes, product types, and templates. Shipping also got a bit of a makeover due to products having sizes as well as weights among other things.

If the integration looks promising for a Zen Cart version after we have tested it, I will report any findings back here.

puggy:

I don't know if it is possible but there should be a bridge for a common app ( example gallery2) in both and use that app as a bridge.

Not necessarily.

greyman56:

Why do you hint that Freeway is less stable?.

That is just what you add to my text ... ;)

But the Zen Cart project is more stable and mature, no doubt about that. Also it seems sometimes that things is made in a rush on Freeway, and maybe released to early - when there should have been some beta testing first. But i's not necessary bad, sometimes we need to wait to long over here (improved attributes control, one page checkout etc.). ;)

I love Freeway for what it is, and need to use it for those who need better attribute control etc.. It's a simple fact today ...

greyman56:

I have started looking at the Freeway program and it's Joomla integration. It looks like it is implemented in a nicely structured way. This may be easily adaptable to a ZenCart integration.
I had nothing but issues with getting freeway running on my site when I tried it a few weeks back. Kept getting a SQL error Invalid token when I tried to log in to the main part of my site. Luckly I was able to get into the Admin part with no issues and remove it. I also had this with some other Mods and Plug-ins.

puggy:

It is not that I am looking for immediate satisfaction ( well yes I am ). What I would like to know is if connectage is real and how is it progressing? I have seen sites that open up and promise on thing but then the site just dies with no reason. I would like a bridge between zen and joomla right now but I am willing to wait if this is actually going to happen. I finally got my website to how I want it too look but it is missing one thing, a way for people who use the site to also use the store with out having to create a second account. So far I have successfully bridged my forums, gallery and chat room on my site so they all have one log in. The last piece of the puzzle is Zen Cart.

I have looked at different bridges for both apps to see how they compare and my head started to hurt :frusty: I don't know if it is possible but there should be a bridge for a common app ( example gallery2) in both and use that app as a bridge.I understand what you are saying.. My point was that if you have an immediate need for this bridge that you should not wait for the Connectage project to fulfill that need.. I wouldn't align any project I was working on with the Connectage solution until it is ACTUALLY released. (versus basing this on some "possible" release date) As was eluded to earlier in this thread, this is a side project for Borat and his team.. I have always taken it to be that when they are done, they will tell us, and until then we should be looking for alternate solutions to this problem.. I am willing to wait for whenever that is, and if it doesn't happen, that's okay too.. If I get a project which requires a more immediate need, then I'll invest in a developer resource to build it.. In other words, I am not putting all my eggs in the Connectage basket.. That project is one of many that started down this road only to die a quiet death..

Well I am thinking of reinstalling Virtual Mart for the time being and using this .e-commerce-solution.co.uk/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=19&category_id=4&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1