[ic] Backend order entry

[interchange-users@interchange.redhat.com]

On Wed, Sep 19, 2001 at 01:14:16PM -0400, mheins@redhat.com wrote:
> Quoting cfm@maine.com (cfm@maine.com):
> > On Wed, Sep 19, 2001 at 12:15:42PM -0400, mheins@redhat.com wrote:
> > > Quoting Donal H. (donalh@online.ie):
> > > > Hi,
> > > > 
> > > > Is there an API for entering orders from an external source i.e. other than
> > > > directly accessing the ASCII file(s) or SQL database?
> > > > 
> > > > If not, are there any recommendations (or major "do'"s or "don't"s) for
> > > > doing this - I'd want to avoid any possible problems when upgrading to a new
> > > > release of IC.
> > > 
> > > I can't fathom why you would do this, but it really is just a question
> > > of making sure the order number is unique (probably just a different
> > > number sequence) and inserting the entries in orderline, transactions,
> > > and userdb.
> > 
> > It's useful for a client that might take **all** their orders 
> > through their online catalogs, eg including phone, fax, email, 
> > whatever orders.  The benefit for them is "single stream"; 
> > everything gets handled the same way. They can get order reports, 
> > shipping, inventory all via intranet/web.
> 
> Aha. The ERP-less business system. I am afraid I always think of
> Interchange as the front end to an accounting package.....
> 
> It is definitely possible to format a single HTTP request to 
> order a series of items and complete the order. For example:
> 
> <A HREF="[area
> 		href=ord/checkout.html
> 		form='
> 		    mv_action=submit
> 		    mv_order_item=FOO_SKU
> 		    mv_order_quantity=1
> 		    mv_order_item=BAR_SKU
> 		    mv_order_quantity=2
> 		    payment_method=po
> 		    fname=Milton
> 		    lname=Bear
> 		    address1=...
> 		    etc=etc
> 		'
> 	]">Order something</A>
> 

While we have not looked at it in years, we were never
able to get that to less that two requests; seems we need 
the first one to establish the sessionID and then the 
next to place the order.  Can it be done in one now?  The
example above presumes at least two (because it is IC page).

cfm

-- 

Christopher F. Miller, Publisher                               cfm@maine.com
MaineStreet Communications, Inc           208 Portland Road, Gray, ME  04039
1.207.657.5078                                         http://www.maine.com/
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