Gathering Text Data, Writing data to files, shared SSL, Free Shipping, LinkPoint.....

[DogTags]

Hi All

1. Embroidery or ID Tag data

For T-Shirts, can we use extra fields to gather text data to embroider or iron onto shirts?

We will need about 12 fields per item.

Plus, we will have to include a number of other fields, including a few hidden, for configuring each item for our computer-driven embroidery machines.

The idea is that we need the cart to create a record for each item so that we can import this list of records into our machines for automatic embroidery. This leads to the next question....

2. Writing to files

Can SquirrelCart write designated data to a flatfile?

For those t-shirt records that we mentioned, it would be great if the system could create a separate, dated, pipe-delimited flatfile that we could easily plug onto a floppy. Then, we just take the floppy and stick it into the embroidery machine, and away we go.

3. Free Shipping (location and shipping method)

If we had an item that we wanted to designate as Free Shipping if shipped to X location via Y shipping method, can SC do this?

There are one or two items that we offer as Free Shipping items if shipped to U.S. addresses using First Class Mail. If shipped outside of the U.S. or if using any other shipping method, then shipping charges would apply.

4. LinkPoint

LinkPoint has several interfaces: Basic, HTML, and API

Will SC work with LinkPoint HTML ?

(The Basic service really isn't any good.)

5. Shared SSL Cert

Will SC work with a shared SSL Cert, or must the site have it's own SSL Certificate?

Would be nice if it could work with the server cert.

6. Quantity Discount

Does SC do Quantity Discounts?

If so, there might be a special issue. This relates to gathering text data and how the quantity discounts are calculated.

In other carts that we have tested, if the customer orders 10 of Item X, but each one of those has different text data, then the cart thinks that each of those 10 is a separate item and does NOT calculate a quantity discount.

INSTEAD

We need the cart to calculate a quantity discount for Item X no matter how different the gathered text data might be. Then, if there are priced options, then those would be added.

Example

- Item 1234
- One 2-Tag Set of ID Tags
- Colors: Red, Blue, Green
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL (+1.50)
- TAG 1
- Text Line 1
- Text Line 2
- Text Line 3
- Text Line 4
- Text Line 5
- Text Line 6 (+1.00 for 6th line)
- (maybe more lines....)
- TAG 2
- Text Line 1
- Text Line 2
- Text Line 3
- Text Line 4
- Text Line 5
- Text Line 6 (+1.00 for 6th line)
- (maybe more lines....)
- Center Lines? Y/N (Left Justification is Standard)
- Free Shipping if Shipped to U.S. or APO/FPO address if using First Class Mail (otherwise, regular shipping options and pricing applies)
- Priced Option (select box - 5 choices)
- Priced Option (select box - 3 choices)

So, if the customer gets two 2-Tag sets, but each 2-Tag set has different text data, the cart should still recognize the fact that two 2-Tag sets have been ordered and provide the quantity discount. Then, if any priced options are ordered (like the price for XXL, the price for the 6th line, or the other priced options), then the cart would just add those in.

This one is critical.

7. Proprietary Characters (when gathering Text Data)

Are there any characters that SC would not allow customers to submit through a text box?

We need to make sure that all of our current allowable characters would be compatible with the cart. Plus, we will likely need to add a few characters later.

8. Static HTML Pages

Can SC work with static web pages? We happen to prefer posting static product pages that just link to the shopping system.

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Thanks very much. We hope to hear from you as soon as possible =)

[Jamie]

Hi,

Thanks for checking us out!


1. Embroidery or ID Tag data
For T-Shirts, can we use extra fields to gather text data to embroider or iron onto shirts?...

Yes. You can add unlimited (except by reason!) text entry product options. They can appear as regular text fields, or text area fields. Please keep in mind that at this time we have no way to force a customer to fill out a text option field.

Plus, we will have to include a number of other fields, including a few hidden, for configuring each item for our computer-driven embroidery machines.

The cart itself can't do this dynamically, but I'm sure you could just add them to the template file that displays the product - show_product_detail.php.

The idea is that we need the cart to create a record for each item so that we can import this list of records into our machines for automatic embroidery.

The options are not stored in the same manner as other fields, so this might be difficult to export. You can see the options they've chosen when viewing an order in the back end, or in email. The option data however is stored in a single field for each item in the cart. For example, suppose someone added 1 item to the cart, that had 12 text item fields. All the data for the 12 text options would end up stored in a single MySQL table field, using the serialize command to turn the array into storable data. For this reason, a MySQL export alone would not give you the option info in a readable format.

Can SquirrelCart write designated data to a flatfile?

We have no support for this, but it is coming in the future.

For those t-shirt records that we mentioned, it would be great if the system could create a separate, dated, pipe-delimited flatfile that we could easily plug onto a floppy. Then, we just take the floppy and stick it into the embroidery machine, and away we go.

While anything is possible with custom PHP, the cart can't do this as is. We could probably write a custom script for you to call via a URL that could create this file dynamically based on order data and prompt you to save it. If you are interested, please send an email to sales@ldev.com with details, and we could give you a quote. If you are interested in purchasing the cart, you may want to wait on this so you can become a little more familiar with it first. If this functionality is not 100% needed, then it would be easier to give a quote for this after you had your cart installed and configured with products and options.

If we had an item that we wanted to designate as Free Shipping if shipped to X location via Y shipping method, can SC do this?

You can almost do this. You can set free shipping for a single item using a particular shipping service on the product's record, but you can't specify this to only happen for a certain destination. You can designate free shipping for an entire order using Shipping Rules. With the shipping rules, you can specify free shipping to apply to a US address and to apply only to a specific shipping method. So, if you wanted this to work for the entire order, it can be done.

LinkPoint has several interfaces: Basic, HTML, and API
Will SC work with LinkPoint HTML ?

Yes, it will. We support all 3 methods. I would recommend the API method. If using the API method, you will need to have CURL and OpenSSL installed with PHP on your server.

Will SC work with a shared SSL Cert, or must the site have it's own SSL Certificate?

It will work with either. It works best when the URL to your secure site takes you to the exact same location as your regular URL. Some sites offer shared certs that can only be used on a directory separate from your web root, which is also inaccessible via a regular HTTP url. In that case, it works also, but you would have to either use a secure URL for the cart at all times, OR install all cart files in both directories.

Does SC do Quantity Discounts?
Not at this time.

Are there any characters that SC would not allow customers to submit through a text box?

No, not to my knowledge. You can submit any character that you can physically type into a text box. You can test this in our demos if you like.

Can SC work with static web pages? We happen to prefer posting static product pages that just link to the shopping system.

Yes. We always recommend against this, but it works OK. See this post for more info:

http://www.ldev.com/forums/showthread.php?t=233

Thanks,
Jamie :squirrel:

[DogTags]

Hi Jamie

First, let me say thanks for replying so promptly and thoroughly. This is HIGHLY unusual and greatly appreciated.

Many of the features that we inquired about are pretty important - quantity discount, others. So, it looks like at this point that SquirrelCart might not do the trick for us, but you clearly have a nice system. We'll keep watching your progress.

Thanks, again, for being so thoughtful in your reply :)

[Jamie]

Hi,

No problem! Glad to help.

Thanks,
Jamie

[DogTags]

Do the above limitations still stand (given the newer version that is out) ?

Thanks :)

[Jamie]

Hi,

I've looked through each question listed, and our original answers. Nothing has changed since that post.

Thanks,
Jamie

[DogTags]

Thanks, Jamie