Feature Request - Option Level Inventory / Attribute Matrix

[Brandon Eley]

I've sent this email to several different ShopSite addresses and using
their feature request form but want to make sure it's read... if you
know anyone else to send it to at ShopSite please forward. Thanks!

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I own 2BigFeet.com, a retailer of large size shoes. We have been using
ShopSite for several years, since about version 4 and use SC Pro. We own
our license and have been upgrading to every new version. I guess you
could say we have grown with ShopSite over the years. Overall we've been
very happy with the program and really want to keep using it.

We, and others in the apparel industry, have a problem currently with
the way ShopSite handles inventory levels. The way our industry works
one main item has many different color/size combinations which each have
their own inventory level. The only way to currently compensate for this
is to enter a new SKU for each and every option... i.e. brown 14 med,
brown 14 wide, black 14 med, black 14 wide, etc. You can see that with
up to 30 options (or more) for each SKU or item, this could be a large
problem... not to mention the fact that it's a nightmare to get it to
work (as the system wasn't designed that way).

We need a better solution and are willing to help absorb some of the
development costs associated with it. We have spoken with several people
at ShopSite before, and with Barney Stone, about this but have gotten no
where. Other apparel retailers have also expressed an interest to me and
are willing to absorb some of the costs as well. Together, I feel we can
incorporate these needed features into the next majore release of
ShopSite (hopefully).

The feature we need is an "Option Matrix" - very similar to a
spreadsheet for each product. Sizes go along one axis and color
combinations go along the other. The colors and sizes would be editable
for each product, and the table would only track inventory. A more
advanced system would also have a table for cost and sales price to
allow for further functionality, but that's beyond the scope of this.
Below is a general idea:

Size 14M 14W 15M 15W 16M 16W
Brown 2 1 2 3 0 1
Black 1 5 0 2 3 5
Blue 5 2 3 0 0 3
Etc. 1 2 10 0 2 3

If somehow we could add an additional "option" capability called
"matrix" or similar and allow this to be associated with it... the
current option functionality could remain. In addition, apparel
retailers could have an advanced system to track inventory on all their
stock levels. This could be a powerful selling tool for the Pro versions
possibly.

I am not familiar with the way that your program is written but think
this should be a feature that can be accomplished. I'm willing to invest
in ShopSite, because we've already purchased the program, years of
hosting, and a ton of third party applications including Order Manager,
Product Manager (both with support contracts), and the USPS shipping
module. We would much rather invest more money into ShopSite than start
all over from scratch.

PLEASE contact me regarding this feature enhancement as we are VERY much
in need of it as soon as possible. Our customer service is suffering
because we cannot accurately track our inventory, and our customers are
ordering products that are no longer in stock. If we don't have a good
system in place by Christmas we'll be in serious trouble.

Thank you for taking the time to consider this new feature request...

Brandon Eley
2BigFeet.com
brandon@2bigfeet.com
www.2bigfeet.com
706-957-2296