New more user friendly product/variants logic. Let's discuss

so instead of being able to create multiple separate product variants with same name within a product in 3.0, one has to create the sub-product(variants) as an regular product (simple) first now, and then associate it to a (group) product?

see, before I could have product X,Y,Z and create variants 10", 12", 14" (notice the duplicate variants name) in each of those product..now i have to actually create
X 10", X 12", X 14" as simple type and to associate these with group product X?
and similarly creating Y 10", Y 12", Y 14" and associate these with group product  Y....

isn't this making things more complicated because ->

now i have to have a more specific naming scheme in order to get things done. Before I could just create product X first and then have sub-variants 10" 12," 14" without worrying the duplicating subvariant names also used for product Y and Z.... now I have to name them X" 10, Y" 10, Z" 10"...and Y 10", Y 12", Y14", and Z 10", Z 12", Z14" in order not to have triple duplicating 10" 12" 14" names in product listing.........

anyone getting my point and also think this is a hassle? ...

prodev42 wrote:
Yes, in some cases it might be a hassle (against all benefits that you get with the new logic), such as in your example. To make it more clear suppose you sell color paintings (oil, water, pencil) and all have the same (or alike) "variants" now associated products. It was easier to create the product and within it create the different variants.

What you can do is to create your first product with its corresponding associated products and then use the Copy option which will also copy its associated products. Example when you create a copy of "Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera", renaming the copy to "New variant of Canon..." you will then have
Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera
Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera Black
Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera Silver
Copy of Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera    
Copy of Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera    
New Variant of Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera

To make this task simpler here are some SUGGESTIONS and BUG reports for Nop Team:
1) While copping a product add 2 options:
The name of the new product:  
Check to mark a product as published.  
Check to copy the images.
Check to copy associated products. (now default is YES)
Add the following prefix to associated products: [Copy of ]

2) When adding an Associated Product include SKUs (now we just have Product name and Published) and do not show grouped products within the list, which I think it is a BUG. Example after searching for "canon" within  Add New Associated Product we also get gropuped products:
  Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera  
  Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera Black  
  Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera Silver  
  Canon VIXIA HF100 Camcorder

eadameg wrote:
Thanks. Please vote here

eadameg wrote:
On this "Add New Associated Product" page a store owner already can filter result by a product type. Just choose a "simple" in order to hide grouped products. And SKU should be specified on an appropriate associated product details page.

a.m. wrote:
Thanks.
Just to make sure we are talking about the same in the request you have in the work item you say "Do not forget to add the following prefix to associated products: [Copy of ]. Or maybe just a new product name" When using the  Copy option for  Associated Products the naming option should be done with a prefix either "Copy of Product_name" or "Selected prefix Product_name"

a.m. wrote:
Sorry, I missed that SKU filter.

lemme give a concrete example:

In 3.1

I have created group item "1" X 1" PVC-COATED WELDED WIRE FENCE"

associating these simple items: 1" X 1", 48" X 100', 16 Gauge, PVC-COATED WELDED WIRE FENCE
                                              1" X 1", 48" X 50', 16 Gauge, PVC-COATED WELDED WIRE FENCE
                                              1" X 1", 60" X 100', 16 Gauge, PVC-COATED WELDED WIRE FENCE
                                              1" X 1", 72" X 50', 16 Gauge PVC-COATED WELDED WIRE FENCE

I have created another group item  1" X 2" PVC-COATED WELDED WIRE FENCE
associating these simple items: 1" X 2", 48" X 100', 14 Gauge, PVC-COATED WELDED WIRE FENCE
                                               1" X 2", 60" X 100', 14 Gauge, PVC-COATED WELDED WIRE FENCE

etc..

notice I have to write the FULL detailed complete item names for simple items...why?To avoid the confusion that will cause inside product listing if i just name them 48" X 100', 60" X 100'...because they will occur more than one times...this will cause more headache later on when you try to associate simple items to group item.(I already find that searching around product listing for simple items to associate with each group item a headache)

But, before in version 3.0, I can just create an item called 1" X 1" PVC-Coated Welded Wire Fence and create sub-variants 48"X 100', 60" X 100'....and then create another item called 1" X 2" PVC-Coated welded wire fence and create sub-variants  48"X 100', 60" X 100'..... I dont have to worry about using the same short sub-variants names...

so now is there anyway to make this more easier to use....

prodev42 wrote:

I was wondering the same thing for a different product set so I took the liberty of using your product example to find a solution. The link to the solution and admin product setup image is: http://teecommerce.net/1-x-1-pvc-coated-welded-wire-fence

Basically, you create a "grouped" product type, using a "simple" product template. Then you add your product attributes and make note of how those attributes are priced in the product description if needed.

Hope this helps!

mattbrummett wrote:

hi...that looks nice!...i think that is actually much better setup than mine website -> www.fence-land.com.. is there a way to get rid of the [+$ amount] after each choice? that's very confusing.....one amount on the bottom is enough...

your direction screenshot is very helpful, thanks alot!

regards,
kev

mattbrummett wrote:

Ok, I didn't attempt to make a purchase on that test product and the result when I try is: "Only Simple Products Can Be Added To Your Cart"... This creates a problem, indeed.

Here are my suggestions for the Nop team:

#1) there should not be two options in product admin that can conflict (Product type value & Product template value) - they should be combined into one selector.
#2) That (one) product selector should have at least three choices: "Simple Product (single product with advanced attributes incl. attribute SKUs, prices defined by attributes, etc), "Advanced Product" (relating to "groups" of simple products & finally "Bundled Product" which allows multiples of any other product and requires a bundled price to be entered as well as shipping weight & dimensions configuration. You will want to allow a tax option as well because some "food" gift baskets in the US are tax exempt, where as the basket would be taxed if sold by itself.

Having fun with bundles right now, getting the cart right is the most interesting. I've taken the tack of being able to relate multiple product variants to another product variant to create a "product".

On that association you can add other data like adjustments to the value of an item, whether it's required etc.

https://nopcommerce.codeplex.com/SourceControl/network/forks/montanehamilton/KitsBundlesGroups

montanehamilton wrote:Sounds great!! Do you have a demo to see it working?