need a plan

It seems to me that you could probably use the addendum module and an
off-line database tool like MS Access for your reporting.

John Nasta



-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of Scott Shepard
Sent: Monday, February 21, 2005 4:14 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [mrc] need a plan

Hello merchant-coders,

I am working on a highly customized store for a B to B operation. I
am in need of adding a field or two to the
customer account info. This field isn't unique to one
buyer(customer). There are many buyers with different ways and items
they specialize in buying. Two different buyer may specialize in
buying ice skates and hockey sticks and pucks -- I'll call it code A,
while others may buy
in different category like helmets and jerseys -- code B. The
managers goal is to report and filter out the two. In other words,
this manger will want to report on all orders from code A and then
from code B.

It's not clear in my mind yet how I can do this, and keep everything
tracked.
I've not found a module that would work. I think there are some that
will allow to add the extra fields, but not a way to link the orders
to that extra field. If there is a way, I' like to hear (read) how
it can be done. I'm not opposed to using/buying a module instead of me
writing the scripts -- if it saves a bunch of time.

Assuming that I'll be writing the scripts/modules, what would I need
to do in first adding the field to
the customer account, and then track that with the subsequent
orders?

I did just have a thought, let me bounce it off you.
-A separate db linking the cust_id and this purchasing
code(purch_id). I'd like not to add fields to the existing MM dbs.
-when reporting on orders, filter the purch_id with all the orders
that belong to that group of cust_id.

I tried to make this a simple explanation of the spec, but not sure
I did. Please get me any thoughts and ideas of how I might
accomplish this task/feature.

FYI: MM 4.12 with OpenUI.

--
Best regards,
Scott
mailto:[email protected]

need a plan



Hello merchant-coders,

I am working on a highly customized store for a B to B operation. I
am in need of adding a field or two to the
customer account info. This field isn't unique to one
buyer(customer). There are many buyers with different ways and items
they specialize in buying. Two different buyer may specialize in
buying ice skates and hockey sticks and pucks -- I'll call it code A, while others may buy
in different category like helmets and jerseys -- code B. The
managers goal is to report and filter out the two. In other words,
this manger will want to report on all orders from code A and then
from code B.

It's not clear in my mind yet how I can do this, and keep everything tracked.
I've not found a module that would work. I think there are some that
will allow to add the extra fields, but not a way to link the orders
to that extra field. If there is a way, I' like to hear (read) how
it can be done. I'm not opposed to using/buying a module instead of me
writing the scripts -- if it saves a bunch of time.

Assuming that I'll be writing the scripts/modules, what would I need
to do in first adding the field to
the customer account, and then track that with the subsequent
orders?

I did just have a thought, let me bounce it off you.
-A separate db linking the cust_id and this purchasing
code(purch_id). I'd like not to add fields to the existing MM dbs.
-when reporting on orders, filter the purch_id with all the orders
that belong to that group of cust_id.

I tried to make this a simple explanation of the spec, but not sure
I did. Please get me any thoughts and ideas of how I might
accomplish this task/feature.

FYI: MM 4.12 with OpenUI.

--
Best regards,
Scott
mailto:[email protected]

Re[2]: need a plan



Hello John,

Thanks. Won't do however. It all has to be through the web site.

Addendum won't necessarily track through the orders as AFIK.

I knew this would be tough.

Please more ideas even though I'm not convinced many would work.

TIA

Scott
IDS

Monday, February 21, 2005, 1:11:45 PM, you wrote:

JN> It seems to me that you could probably use the addendum module and an
JN> off-line database tool like MS Access for your reporting.

JN> John Nasta



JN> -----Original Message-----
JN> From: [email protected]
JN> [mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of Scott Shepard
JN> Sent: Monday, February 21, 2005 4:14 PM
JN> To: [email protected]
JN> Subject: [mrc] need a plan

JN> Hello merchant-coders,

JN> I am working on a highly customized store for a B to B operation. I
JN> am in need of adding a field or two to the
JN> customer account info. This field isn't unique to one
JN> buyer(customer). There are many buyers with different ways and items
JN> they specialize in buying. Two different buyer may specialize in
JN> buying ice skates and hockey sticks and pucks -- I'll call it code A,
JN> while others may buy
JN> in different category like helmets and jerseys -- code B. The
JN> managers goal is to report and filter out the two. In other words,
JN> this manger will want to report on all orders from code A and then
JN> from code B.

JN> It's not clear in my mind yet how I can do this, and keep everything
JN> tracked.
JN> I've not found a module that would work. I think there are some that
JN> will allow to add the extra fields, but not a way to link the orders
JN> to that extra field. If there is a way, I' like to hear (read) how
JN> it can be done. I'm not opposed to using/buying a module instead of me
JN> writing the scripts -- if it saves a bunch of time.

JN> Assuming that I'll be writing the scripts/modules, what would I need
JN> to do in first adding the field to
JN> the customer account, and then track that with the subsequent
JN> orders?

JN> I did just have a thought, let me bounce it off you.
JN> -A separate db linking the cust_id and this purchasing
JN> code(purch_id). I'd like not to add fields to the existing MM dbs.
JN> -when reporting on orders, filter the purch_id with all the orders
JN> that belong to that group of cust_id.

JN> I tried to make this a simple explanation of the spec, but not sure
JN> I did. Please get me any thoughts and ideas of how I might
JN> accomplish this task/feature.

JN> FYI: MM 4.12 with OpenUI.

JN> --
JN> Best regards,
JN> Scott
JN> mailto:[email protected]

Re[2]: need a plan



It's really not tough at all if you can generate the reports off-line. If
you want an online interface to do the reporting, you'll probably need a
custom module.

John Nasta



-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of Scott Shepard
Sent: Monday, February 21, 2005 4:42 PM
To: John Nasta
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Re[2]: [mrc] need a plan

Hello John,

Thanks. Won't do however. It all has to be through the web site.

Addendum won't necessarily track through the orders as AFIK.

I knew this would be tough.

Please more ideas even though I'm not convinced many would work.

TIA

Scott
IDS

Monday, February 21, 2005, 1:11:45 PM, you wrote:

JN> It seems to me that you could probably use the addendum module and an
JN> off-line database tool like MS Access for your reporting.

JN> John Nasta



JN> -----Original Message-----
JN> From: [email protected]
JN> [mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of Scott Shepard
JN> Sent: Monday, February 21, 2005 4:14 PM
JN> To: [email protected]
JN> Subject: [mrc] need a plan

JN> Hello merchant-coders,

JN> I am working on a highly customized store for a B to B operation. I
JN> am in need of adding a field or two to the
JN> customer account info. This field isn't unique to one
JN> buyer(customer). There are many buyers with different ways and items
JN> they specialize in buying. Two different buyer may specialize in
JN> buying ice skates and hockey sticks and pucks -- I'll call it code A,
JN> while others may buy
JN> in different category like helmets and jerseys -- code B. The
JN> managers goal is to report and filter out the two. In other words,
JN> this manger will want to report on all orders from code A and then
JN> from code B.

JN> It's not clear in my mind yet how I can do this, and keep everything
JN> tracked.
JN> I've not found a module that would work. I think there are some that
JN> will allow to add the extra fields, but not a way to link the orders
JN> to that extra field. If there is a way, I' like to hear (read) how
JN> it can be done. I'm not opposed to using/buying a module instead of me
JN> writing the scripts -- if it saves a bunch of time.

JN> Assuming that I'll be writing the scripts/modules, what would I need
JN> to do in first adding the field to
JN> the customer account, and then track that with the subsequent
JN> orders?

JN> I did just have a thought, let me bounce it off you.
JN> -A separate db linking the cust_id and this purchasing
JN> code(purch_id). I'd like not to add fields to the existing MM dbs.
JN> -when reporting on orders, filter the purch_id with all the orders
JN> that belong to that group of cust_id.

JN> I tried to make this a simple explanation of the spec, but not sure
JN> I did. Please get me any thoughts and ideas of how I might
JN> accomplish this task/feature.

JN> FYI: MM 4.12 with OpenUI.

JN> --
JN> Best regards,
JN> Scott
JN> mailto:[email protected]

Re[2]: need a plan



Okay, I'll take a turn...

It sounds to me like you need a custom fulfillment module plus the linking
database you already mentioned (maybe - see below). I just finished doing
an order history fulfillment module for my store so customer's could track
their orders and review their past orders. (It's a mmui store)

If I follow you correctly, you want to keep a similar order history
database for the manager. This order history database would keep track of
the category of products purchased, part number, quantity, and price (or,
whatever else you might need). I basically copied the format of the
Merchant order databases and added or removed things fields as necessary.
Then the module simply copies the order info into my permanent databases.

Do you have unique product category codes that would let you figure out
whether the purchase falls into code A or code B instead of creating a
linking database? The module could look up each product's category code and
then add a record to the history database using the correct code.

Once you have the database, it's easy enough to query it for reporting
purposes.

Was I close at all?

Todd



At 03:42 PM 2/21/05, Scott Shepard wrote:
>Hello John,
>
>Thanks. Won't do however. It all has to be through the web site.
>
>Addendum won't necessarily track through the orders as AFIK.
>
>I knew this would be tough.
>
>Please more ideas even though I'm not convinced many would work.
>
>TIA
>
>Scott
>IDS
>
>Monday, February 21, 2005, 1:11:45 PM, you wrote:
>
>JN> It seems to me that you could probably use the addendum module and an
>JN> off-line database tool like MS Access for your reporting.
>
>JN> John Nasta
>
>
>
>JN> -----Original Message-----
>JN> From: [email protected]
>JN> [mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of Scott Shepard
>JN> Sent: Monday, February 21, 2005 4:14 PM
>JN> To: [email protected]
>JN> Subject: [mrc] need a plan
>
>JN> Hello merchant-coders,
>
>JN> I am working on a highly customized store for a B to B operation. I
>JN> am in need of adding a field or two to the
>JN> customer account info. This field isn't unique to one
>JN> buyer(customer). There are many buyers with different ways and items
>JN> they specialize in buying. Two different buyer may specialize in
>JN> buying ice skates and hockey sticks and pucks -- I'll call it code A,
>JN> while others may buy
>JN> in different category like helmets and jerseys -- code B. The
>JN> managers goal is to report and filter out the two. In other words,
>JN> this manger will want to report on all orders from code A and then
>JN> from code B.
>
>JN> It's not clear in my mind yet how I can do this, and keep everything
>JN> tracked.
>JN> I've not found a module that would work. I think there are some that
>JN> will allow to add the extra fields, but not a way to link the orders
>JN> to that extra field. If there is a way, I' like to hear (read) how
>JN> it can be done. I'm not opposed to using/buying a module instead of me
>JN> writing the scripts -- if it saves a bunch of time.
>
>JN> Assuming that I'll be writing the scripts/modules, what would I need
>JN> to do in first adding the field to
>JN> the customer account, and then track that with the subsequent
>JN> orders?
>
>JN> I did just have a thought, let me bounce it off you.
>JN> -A separate db linking the cust_id and this purchasing
>JN> code(purch_id). I'd like not to add fields to the existing MM dbs.
>JN> -when reporting on orders, filter the purch_id with all the orders
>JN> that belong to that group of cust_id.
>
>JN> I tried to make this a simple explanation of the spec, but not sure
>JN> I did. Please get me any thoughts and ideas of how I might
>JN> accomplish this task/feature.
>
>JN> FYI: MM 4.12 with OpenUI.
>
>JN> --
>JN> Best regards,
>JN> Scott
>JN> mailto:[email protected]
>
>
>

Re[4]: need a plan



Hello John,

I agree that stuff off line isn't that hard in a good many cases.
However, ITC, the client is dictating the specs. I am all too happy to
comply. And, also ITC, this particular company needs online reporting.
They understand the data is already there, we just need to filter it
correctly. Beyond that, online reporting eliminates much training.
There are hundreds of buyers in this B2B operation across over a
hundred different companies. Telling every company to purchase and
train people on ACT or some other sales/reporting tool is a logistical
nightmare.

I only distilled down to the simplest scenario I could. It is really
more complicated in broad scheme. I needed a starting point.

Thanks,

Scott
IDS

Monday, February 21, 2005, 1:53:34 PM, you wrote:

JN> It's really not tough at all if you can generate the reports off-line. If
JN> you want an online interface to do the reporting, you'll probably need a
JN> custom module.

JN> John Nasta



JN> -----Original Message-----
JN> From: [email protected]
JN> [mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of Scott Shepard
JN> Sent: Monday, February 21, 2005 4:42 PM
JN> To: John Nasta
JN> Cc: [email protected]
JN> Subject: Re[2]: [mrc] need a plan

JN> Hello John,

JN> Thanks. Won't do however. It all has to be through the web site.

JN> Addendum won't necessarily track through the orders as AFIK.

JN> I knew this would be tough.

JN> Please more ideas even though I'm not convinced many would work.

JN> TIA

JN> Scott
JN> IDS

JN> Monday, February 21, 2005, 1:11:45 PM, you wrote:

JN>> It seems to me that you could probably use the addendum module and an
JN>> off-line database tool like MS Access for your reporting.

JN>> John Nasta



JN>> -----Original Message-----
JN>> From: [email protected]
JN>> [mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of Scott Shepard
JN>> Sent: Monday, February 21, 2005 4:14 PM
JN>> To: [email protected]
JN>> Subject: [mrc] need a plan

JN>> Hello merchant-coders,

JN>> I am working on a highly customized store for a B to B operation. I
JN>> am in need of adding a field or two to the
JN>> customer account info. This field isn't unique to one
JN>> buyer(customer). There are many buyers with different ways and items
JN>> they specialize in buying. Two different buyer may specialize in
JN>> buying ice skates and hockey sticks and pucks -- I'll call it code A,
JN>> while others may buy
JN>> in different category like helmets and jerseys -- code B. The
JN>> managers goal is to report and filter out the two. In other words,
JN>> this manger will want to report on all orders from code A and then
JN>> from code B.

JN>> It's not clear in my mind yet how I can do this, and keep everything
JN>> tracked.
JN>> I've not found a module that would work. I think there are some that
JN>> will allow to add the extra fields, but not a way to link the orders
JN>> to that extra field. If there is a way, I' like to hear (read) how
JN>> it can be done. I'm not opposed to using/buying a module instead of me
JN>> writing the scripts -- if it saves a bunch of time.

JN>> Assuming that I'll be writing the scripts/modules, what would I need
JN>> to do in first adding the field to
JN>> the customer account, and then track that with the subsequent
JN>> orders?

JN>> I did just have a thought, let me bounce it off you.
JN>> -A separate db linking the cust_id and this purchasing
JN>> code(purch_id). I'd like not to add fields to the existing MM dbs.
JN>> -when reporting on orders, filter the purch_id with all the orders
JN>> that belong to that group of cust_id.

JN>> I tried to make this a simple explanation of the spec, but not sure
JN>> I did. Please get me any thoughts and ideas of how I might
JN>> accomplish this task/feature.

JN>> FYI: MM 4.12 with OpenUI.

JN>> --
JN>> Best regards,
JN>> Scott
JN>> mailto:[email protected]

Re[3]: need a plan



Hello Todd,

Thanks. I think you are on the right track and understand the kind of
answer I am looking for. I was hoping for an obscure application of an
existing module might be available but was pre-resigned to writing a couple
of custom mods. This answer gives me an idea of the method/topology
I'll actually need.


Scott
IDS
www.southbound.com



Monday, February 21, 2005, 2:03:32 PM, you wrote:

TF> Okay, I'll take a turn...

TF> It sounds to me like you need a custom fulfillment module plus the linking
TF> database you already mentioned (maybe - see below). I just finished doing
TF> an order history fulfillment module for my store so customer's could track
TF> their orders and review their past orders. (It's a mmui store)

TF> If I follow you correctly, you want to keep a similar order history
TF> database for the manager. This order history database would keep track of
TF> the category of products purchased, part number, quantity, and price (or,
TF> whatever else you might need). I basically copied the format of the
TF> Merchant order databases and added or removed things fields as necessary.
TF> Then the module simply copies the order info into my permanent databases.

TF> Do you have unique product category codes that would let you figure out
TF> whether the purchase falls into code A or code B instead of creating a
TF> linking database? The module could look up each product's category code and
TF> then add a record to the history database using the correct code.

TF> Once you have the database, it's easy enough to query it for reporting
TF> purposes.

TF> Was I close at all?

TF> Todd



TF> At 03:42 PM 2/21/05, Scott Shepard wrote:
>>Hello John,
>>
>>Thanks. Won't do however. It all has to be through the web site.
>>
>>Addendum won't necessarily track through the orders as AFIK.
>>
>>I knew this would be tough.
>>
>>Please more ideas even though I'm not convinced many would work.
>>
>>TIA
>>
>>Scott
>>IDS
>>
>>Monday, February 21, 2005, 1:11:45 PM, you wrote:
>>
>>JN> It seems to me that you could probably use the addendum module and an
>>JN> off-line database tool like MS Access for your reporting.
>>
>>JN> John Nasta
>>
>>
>>
>>JN> -----Original Message-----
>>JN> From: [email protected]
>>JN> [mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of Scott Shepard
>>JN> Sent: Monday, February 21, 2005 4:14 PM
>>JN> To: [email protected]
>>JN> Subject: [mrc] need a plan
>>
>>JN> Hello merchant-coders,
>>
>>JN> I am working on a highly customized store for a B to B operation. I
>>JN> am in need of adding a field or two to the
>>JN> customer account info. This field isn't unique to one
>>JN> buyer(customer). There are many buyers with different ways and items
>>JN> they specialize in buying. Two different buyer may specialize in
>>JN> buying ice skates and hockey sticks and pucks -- I'll call it code A,
>>JN> while others may buy
>>JN> in different category like helmets and jerseys -- code B. The
>>JN> managers goal is to report and filter out the two. In other words,
>>JN> this manger will want to report on all orders from code A and then
>>JN> from code B.
>>
>>JN> It's not clear in my mind yet how I can do this, and keep everything
>>JN> tracked.
>>JN> I've not found a module that would work. I think there are some that
>>JN> will allow to add the extra fields, but not a way to link the orders
>>JN> to that extra field. If there is a way, I' like to hear (read) how
>>JN> it can be done. I'm not opposed to using/buying a module instead of me
>>JN> writing the scripts -- if it saves a bunch of time.
>>
>>JN> Assuming that I'll be writing the scripts/modules, what would I need
>>JN> to do in first adding the field to
>>JN> the customer account, and then track that with the subsequent
>>JN> orders?
>>
>>JN> I did just have a thought, let me bounce it off you.
>>JN> -A separate db linking the cust_id and this purchasing
>>JN> code(purch_id). I'd like not to add fields to the existing MM dbs.
>>JN> -when reporting on orders, filter the purch_id with all the orders
>>JN> that belong to that group of cust_id.
>>
>>JN> I tried to make this a simple explanation of the spec, but not sure
>>JN> I did. Please get me any thoughts and ideas of how I might
>>JN> accomplish this task/feature.
>>
>>JN> FYI: MM 4.12 with OpenUI.
>>
>>JN> --
>>JN> Best regards,
>>JN> Scott
>>JN> mailto:[email protected]
>>
>>
>>

Re[4]: need a plan



Scott,

We all need a plan. Anyhow, I think your problem
sounds like an opportunity for some enterprising
module developer. A flexible reporting engine that
publishes reports online or offline. Unlike sql
database report writers, where there is a data
dictionary, the module developer would have to create
the dictionary and drive the reports off the
dictionary. Extending the dictionary would allow new
tables and columns to be incorporated in reports.
Would something like that solve your problem?

Is your client using the native miva "database"? If
they're using the a sql database (didn't someone
develop a product that let's you run miva on a sql
database?), you should be able to find a tool. Perhaps
you can justify the move to a "real" database for this
requirement. There are lots of other benefits.

regards,
jd


--- Scott Shepard <[email protected]> wrote:

> Hello John,
>
> I agree that stuff off line isn't that hard in a
> good many cases.
> However, ITC, the client is dictating the specs. I
> am all too happy to
> comply. And, also ITC, this particular company needs
> online reporting.
> They understand the data is already there, we just
> need to filter it
> correctly. Beyond that, online reporting eliminates
> much training.
> There are hundreds of buyers in this B2B operation
> across over a
> hundred different companies. Telling every company
> to purchase and
> train people on ACT or some other sales/reporting
> tool is a logistical
> nightmare.
>
> I only distilled down to the simplest scenario I
> could. It is really
> more complicated in broad scheme. I needed a
> starting point.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Scott
> IDS
>
> Monday, February 21, 2005, 1:53:34 PM, you wrote:
>
> JN> It's really not tough at all if you can generate
> the reports off-line. If
> JN> you want an online interface to do the
> reporting, you'll probably need a
> JN> custom module.
>
> JN> John Nasta
>
>
>
> JN> -----Original Message-----
> JN> From: [email protected]
> JN> [mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf
> Of Scott Shepard
> JN> Sent: Monday, February 21, 2005 4:42 PM
> JN> To: John Nasta
> JN> Cc: [email protected]
> JN> Subject: Re[2]: [mrc] need a plan
>
> JN> Hello John,
>
> JN> Thanks. Won't do however. It all has to be
> through the web site.
>
> JN> Addendum won't necessarily track through the
> orders as AFIK.
>
> JN> I knew this would be tough.
>
> JN> Please more ideas even though I'm not convinced
> many would work.
>
> JN> TIA
>
> JN> Scott
> JN> IDS
>
> JN> Monday, February 21, 2005, 1:11:45 PM, you
> wrote:
>
> JN>> It seems to me that you could probably use the
> addendum module and an
> JN>> off-line database tool like MS Access for your
> reporting.
>
> JN>> John Nasta
>
>
>
> JN>> -----Original Message-----
> JN>> From: [email protected]
> JN>> [mailto:[email protected]]On
> Behalf Of Scott Shepard
> JN>> Sent: Monday, February 21, 2005 4:14 PM
> JN>> To: [email protected]
> JN>> Subject: [mrc] need a plan
>
> JN>> Hello merchant-coders,
>
> JN>> I am working on a highly customized store for
> a B to B operation. I
> JN>> am in need of adding a field or two to the
> JN>> customer account info. This field isn't
> unique to one
> JN>> buyer(customer). There are many buyers with
> different ways and items
> JN>> they specialize in buying. Two different
> buyer may specialize in
> JN>> buying ice skates and hockey sticks and pucks
> -- I'll call it code A,
> JN>> while others may buy
> JN>> in different category like helmets and
> jerseys -- code B. The
> JN>> managers goal is to report and filter out the
> two. In other words,
> JN>> this manger will want to report on all orders
> from code A and then
> JN>> from code B.
>
> JN>> It's not clear in my mind yet how I can do
> this, and keep everything
> JN>> tracked.
> JN>> I've not found a module that would work. I
> think there are some that
> JN>> will allow to add the extra fields, but not a
> way to link the orders
> JN>> to that extra field. If there is a way, I'
> like to hear (read) how
> JN>> it can be done. I'm not opposed to
> using/buying a module instead of me
> JN>> writing the scripts -- if it saves a bunch of
> time.
>
> JN>> Assuming that I'll be writing the
> scripts/modules, what would I need
> JN>> to do in first adding the field to
> JN>> the customer account, and then track that
> with the subsequent
> JN>> orders?
>
> JN>> I did just have a thought, let me bounce it
> off you.
> JN>> -A separate db linking the cust_id and this
> purchasing
> JN>> code(purch_id). I'd like not to add fields to
> the existing MM dbs.
> JN>> -when reporting on orders, filter the
> purch_id with all the orders
> JN>> that belong to that group of cust_id.
>
> JN>> I tried to make this a simple explanation of
> the spec, but not sure
> JN>> I did. Please get me any thoughts and ideas
> of how I might
> JN>> accomplish this task/feature.
>
> JN>> FYI: MM 4.12 with OpenUI.
>
> JN>> --
> JN>> Best regards,
> JN>> Scott
> JN>> mailto:[email protected]
>
>
>

Re[4]: need a plan



Nobody plans to fail, though many fail to plan. :)

John Nasta



-----Original Message-----

Scott,

We all need a plan. <snip>

Re[6]: need a plan



Hello jeff,

Thanks Jeff. I am that enterprising developer. The code I write could
turn into that someday. The requirements are currently pretty specific
to this B2B. And time will become a factor -vs- making it generic.

Scott
IDS
www.southbound.com


Monday, February 21, 2005, 3:02:33 PM, you wrote:

jd> Scott,

jd> We all need a plan. Anyhow, I think your problem
jd> sounds like an opportunity for some enterprising
jd> module developer. A flexible reporting engine that
jd> publishes reports online or offline. Unlike sql
jd> database report writers, where there is a data
jd> dictionary, the module developer would have to create
jd> the dictionary and drive the reports off the
jd> dictionary. Extending the dictionary would allow new
jd> tables and columns to be incorporated in reports.
jd> Would something like that solve your problem?

jd> Is your client using the native miva "database"? If
jd> they're using the a sql database (didn't someone
jd> develop a product that let's you run miva on a sql
jd> database?), you should be able to find a tool. Perhaps
jd> you can justify the move to a "real" database for this
jd> requirement. There are lots of other benefits.

jd> regards,
jd> jd


jd> --- Scott Shepard <[email protected]> wrote:

>> Hello John,
>>
>> I agree that stuff off line isn't that hard in a
>> good many cases.
>> However, ITC, the client is dictating the specs. I
>> am all too happy to
>> comply. And, also ITC, this particular company needs
>> online reporting.
>> They understand the data is already there, we just
>> need to filter it
>> correctly. Beyond that, online reporting eliminates
>> much training.
>> There are hundreds of buyers in this B2B operation
>> across over a
>> hundred different companies. Telling every company
>> to purchase and
>> train people on ACT or some other sales/reporting
>> tool is a logistical
>> nightmare.
>>
>> I only distilled down to the simplest scenario I
>> could. It is really
>> more complicated in broad scheme. I needed a
>> starting point.
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Scott
>> IDS
>>
>> Monday, February 21, 2005, 1:53:34 PM, you wrote:
>>
>> JN> It's really not tough at all if you can generate
>> the reports off-line. If
>> JN> you want an online interface to do the
>> reporting, you'll probably need a
>> JN> custom module.
>>
>> JN> John Nasta
>>
>>
>>
>> JN> -----Original Message-----
>> JN> From: [email protected]
>> JN> [mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf
>> Of Scott Shepard
>> JN> Sent: Monday, February 21, 2005 4:42 PM
>> JN> To: John Nasta
>> JN> Cc: [email protected]
>> JN> Subject: Re[2]: [mrc] need a plan
>>
>> JN> Hello John,
>>
>> JN> Thanks. Won't do however. It all has to be
>> through the web site.
>>
>> JN> Addendum won't necessarily track through the
>> orders as AFIK.
>>
>> JN> I knew this would be tough.
>>
>> JN> Please more ideas even though I'm not convinced
>> many would work.
>>
>> JN> TIA
>>
>> JN> Scott
>> JN> IDS
>>
>> JN> Monday, February 21, 2005, 1:11:45 PM, you
>> wrote:
>>
>> JN>> It seems to me that you could probably use the
>> addendum module and an
>> JN>> off-line database tool like MS Access for your
>> reporting.
>>
>> JN>> John Nasta
>>
>>
>>
>> JN>> -----Original Message-----
>> JN>> From: [email protected]
>> JN>> [mailto:[email protected]]On
>> Behalf Of Scott Shepard
>> JN>> Sent: Monday, February 21, 2005 4:14 PM
>> JN>> To: [email protected]
>> JN>> Subject: [mrc] need a plan
>>
>> JN>> Hello merchant-coders,
>>
>> JN>> I am working on a highly customized store for
>> a B to B operation. I
>> JN>> am in need of adding a field or two to the
>> JN>> customer account info. This field isn't
>> unique to one
>> JN>> buyer(customer). There are many buyers with
>> different ways and items
>> JN>> they specialize in buying. Two different
>> buyer may specialize in
>> JN>> buying ice skates and hockey sticks and pucks
>> -- I'll call it code A,
>> JN>> while others may buy
>> JN>> in different category like helmets and
>> jerseys -- code B. The
>> JN>> managers goal is to report and filter out the
>> two. In other words,
>> JN>> this manger will want to report on all orders
>> from code A and then
>> JN>> from code B.
>>
>> JN>> It's not clear in my mind yet how I can do
>> this, and keep everything
>> JN>> tracked.
>> JN>> I've not found a module that would work. I
>> think there are some that
>> JN>> will allow to add the extra fields, but not a
>> way to link the orders
>> JN>> to that extra field. If there is a way, I'
>> like to hear (read) how
>> JN>> it can be done. I'm not opposed to
>> using/buying a module instead of me
>> JN>> writing the scripts -- if it saves a bunch of
>> time.
>>
>> JN>> Assuming that I'll be writing the
>> scripts/modules, what would I need
>> JN>> to do in first adding the field to
>> JN>> the customer account, and then track that
>> with the subsequent
>> JN>> orders?
>>
>> JN>> I did just have a thought, let me bounce it
>> off you.
>> JN>> -A separate db linking the cust_id and this
>> purchasing
>> JN>> code(purch_id). I'd like not to add fields to
>> the existing MM dbs.
>> JN>> -when reporting on orders, filter the
>> purch_id with all the orders
>> JN>> that belong to that group of cust_id.
>>
>> JN>> I tried to make this a simple explanation of
>> the spec, but not sure
>> JN>> I did. Please get me any thoughts and ideas
>> of how I might
>> JN>> accomplish this task/feature.
>>
>> JN>> FYI: MM 4.12 with OpenUI.
>>
>> JN>> --
>> JN>> Best regards,
>> JN>> Scott
>> JN>> mailto:[email protected]
>>
>>
>>