8 replies to this topic

[arlen]

I haven't ventured into this part of the forum before, but expect I'll be hanging around for awhile

I've been doing a lot of thinking about how I'm running my site & business, and having had several months to see how things are working, I see a number of areas needing improvement. Things are pretty inefficient right now, and to do what I aim to over time I need to streamline things a lot. I'm trying to plan well ahead and need as integrated a solution as I can construct (and afford). I'm planning to use mySQL & PHP. My brother is very versed in SQL (oracle) & the logic behind a well structured database, and he spent a lot of time this past weekend getting me familiar with the concepts and structuring table relationships.

So far, I think I've settled on Mambo for CMS and dynamic website creation. I think it probably also makes sense to implement a php based cart and drop the service I'm using with the goal of further integration. It could also make sense to integrate inventory management as a part of my database ... but here's my problem.

I'm currently using QuickBooksPro to manage the inventory as well as keep my books. I'm trying to integrate systems, and I don't like the idea of separating my inventory management from my accounting (or my site management from my inventory). I'd like to keep transactions in QBP because it is so seamlessly tied into my merchant account, and because w/ an upgrade I can use QBPs new UPS shipping integration. Also, I like the way QPB handles the accountant interface, and most accountants use QBP.

How do sophisticated retailers do this? If I add a product, I'd like to do that once, with my site, inventory tracking and accounting sourcing the same data. If set up right, I should be able to flick a switch and a product will be displayed as on sale on the site, and in my sales receipt interface.

My long term plans include more than one site which will only be possible with highly refined data management & very streamlined order processing. I could use a little insight from those w/ experience in this area.

Edited by arlen, 31 January 2005 - 11:02 PM.

[Randy]

Hey Arlen,

I'm not that terribly familiar with the Inventory functions of Quickbooks Pro since I do everything in my power to avoid having to stock inventory. That said, I know there is a way to do it. There are even some carts out there that allow you to integrate products/inventory, customers and transactions with Quickbooks.

I'm not sure if one of these off-the-shelf add ons will do everything you need it to or not, but that's where I would start looking. No need to re-invent the wheel if someone has already built something that will do the job.

I hesitate to recommend something specific since I don't have any first hand experience with it, however I will mention that a friend of mine uses something called Fishbowl Inventory that they have been quite happy with. It might be worth your time to at least contact them with your requirements to see if their system will meet your needs.

They're not the only one who makes such an add on, so don't settle for something that won't do the job. If you head over to Intuit's Marketplace you can see a lot of folks who have made Quickbooks add ons and have gained the Intuit stamp of approval.

[OldWelshGuy]

I know that Actinic Catalogue works well with QB, but it is not free. here is a search on google giving you tons of links http://www.google.co...s shopping cart

[arlen]

Thanks guys, that gives me a place to start. I've only looked at a few from your suggestions, but most systems are in the $2000 plus range, a bit steep I think. I found one which was $400 ... closer to doable. They all appear to be or include "boxed" template based ecommerce site creation ... apparently a form of cms is included (maybe making mambo unnecessary), and I'd guess you are limited by their templates.

A couple of other questions ...

The sales pitch that convinced me initially to use a service was something like "most hosts only support one cart software. Because the components on your site are basic html forms, with this service the cart is totally portable and can be used on any hosting plan." (ie. they host cgi)

Is it true that you are limited to what cart you choose by your hosts setup? Is it true that your choice of cart could limit your available hosts if you choose to change?

This is why I thought a php solution would be best. If I know I'm using mySQL & PHP to manage data already (possible w/ most hosts) then a php cart would obviously be doable. I have a lot of things I'd like to implement w/ my site that go beyond what I've seen on most template based ecommerce sites, and I don't want to look template based myself, I like my site design. I figured it was best to pick a solid cms platform first, that is easy to use and completely customizable (why I chose mambo), and then "plug-in" a cart to the picture, vs. using a "complete ecommerce solution" if you follow me. Whatever I do I want to be totally portable, so I'm not stuck rebuilding the cart functions if I change hosts.

Does this make sense, or am I reinventing the wheel for no reason? Does it make sense to stick w/ php?

~~
Concerning the integration w/ QBP ... I found an oscommerce site where a developer has provided a free opensource import utility from OSC to QBP. Sounds totally cusomizable, but it's not a commercial package, and would have to be tailored to my needs. Worth looking at further?

[Randy]

You'll be completely safe with a php or cgi solution. All hosts these days support both of those. ASP you'll need to be on a Windows server or a server than has the Sun engine installed. That might run you a bit more per month in hosting costs, but it's usually not too unrealistic.

FWIW, I think you've already chosen the best platform. PHP is very flexible and can be extended to do just about anything.

On the third-party add ons, I've seen them range from as little as $150 to several thousand. I think the Fishbowl one I mentioned above is a bit pricey, but it included some things that my friend needed (related to how SKEW numbers were created for the same item in different colors/sizes) that some of the others didn't have at the time.

The OSC > QBP open source code could be very valuable. One of the nice things about QBP is that they actively encourage extensions or add ons to improve/personalize Quickbooks. I would snatch that code if I were you, espcially since it would likely give you all of the info you need to build and integrate a custom application with QBP. All you need is the syntax after all, since Intuit already make pretty much everything available for integation.

In fact, if you wouldn't mind could you send me the URL? It's not like I need a new project or anything, but that would be a good one for me to familiarize myself with.

[arlen]

Thanks Randy,

I had "hoped" I was on the right track w/ php ... seemed to be the most versitile, and my "in-house" support staff understands the concepts and has used it.

I'll PM you the links. For anyone interested it's called QBI

... I do everything in my power to avoid having to stock inventory.

Out of curiosity Randy, do you manage drop-shipping sites? I'm considering that as the most viable option for additional sites beyond this and another I really want to develop that would require inventory.

[Randy]

Out of curiosity Randy, do you manage drop-shipping sites? I'm considering that as the most viable option for additional sites beyond this and another I really want to develop that would require inventory.

We're getting off topic now so I'll keep my answer short.

I prefer Service sites. Or at least something where the "product" can be delivered over the web. It just makes my life easier.

I've got a few true product sites, and yes I try to work out a drop ship agreement with the supplier for them. Again, it makes my life easier.

I don't have anything against stocking product. It's just something that I don't want to do personally.

[arlen]

Yep, got OT, good point ... I should have asked that question in my pm.

Thanks again Randy (& OWG) for all the help ... the fog is clearing
__

I'm going to keep looking for php based cart solutions. Any other suggestions would be very welcome.

[rustybrick]

Hi,

I admit, too lazy to read the whole thread, but my company does tons of QuickBooks integration. With PHP5 it makes it really easy. So if you can, go with PHP5.