Product features and attributes (complex situation)

[nzrobert]

Hi there,

 

I am tearing my hear out with this complex situation i have (for me at least)...

 

For Example:

 

I have a product which is suitable for multiple combinations of a model and year. i.e "X6Z ABS brakes" is compatible with "Honda Civic (1998 - 2004)" as well as "Honda Prelude (2002 - 2004)" and many more combinations of model and year

 

I would like to be able to filter within categories (using multi layered navigation) by Make > Model > Year and return all compatible products in the "Brakes" category. The "X6Z ABS brakes" included.

 

How can I do this? I have found a modification which allows multiple values in a single feature i.e Feature is called "Compatible Models" -> City, Prelude, Civic, Oddessy etc etc. However this still has nothing to do with a year of the model, so I need to find a way to combine 1 feature with another feature to get a combination (similar to attributes i guess)..... This doesn't seem like a possible way because I would still need to get it working with the multi layered navigation system.

 

Does anyone have any smart ways to achieve this? I have had a look on the forum, but didn't see anything jump out at me.. Surely im not the only person to come across this issue?

 

Thanks for your help in advance!

 

Regards

Robert

[tomerg3]

I can't speak to the layered navigation, but if you use our ajax filter http://www.prestashop.com/forums/index.php?/topic/118467-module-ajax-filter-ajax-based-filter-using-price-supplier-man-category-feature-attribute/ you will be able to use categories as filter options.

 

For example, create a category called Year (it can be hidden, as it will only be used for the filter), and inside add subcategories with all the years.

Now you can assign the products to the proper categories, you can assign the same product to multiple years.

You will do the same for each of the filter options "Make, Model, Year".

 

When you use the filter, you can set it up so as soon as you select an option in one filter group, it will remove all the products that do not match it, and remove the filter options that do not apply to the remaining products (which should have the same affect as the "Connected" features you were asking about).

[nzrobert]

Hey Tomerg3,

 

I am really hoping that your option will work!!

 

Can you tell me though... what I i have a product which is suitable for the "Civic (1998 - 2002)" but the same product that is useful for the "Prelude (2003 - 2011). Suddendly the years available are dependant on the model chosen, but the product will have both models and all available years available. I would like the product to remain when selecting either Year or either Model, but I some how need to tell it that If you selected "Prelude" in the model, then only the years available for the "Prelude" remain. However when a different model is selected a completely different set of years is available. The product will still be available for different years, but it depends on the model that is chosen.

 

Does that make sense? Is there a way to do this or would I need to build different products for each model?

 

Thanks for your help!

[tomerg3]

The module has a demo site with backoffice access, so you can give it a try.

I think it will work the way you want it, but there is not better way than trying it yourself....

[nzrobert]

Hi Tomerg3

 

Here is a job offer and description if you are interested -> http://www.prestashop.com/forums/topic/180857-job-offer-filtering-combinations/page__p__893555?do=findComment&comment=893555

 

This is also a description of the solution I need. If you don't mind casting your eye over that would be great!

[nzrobert]

Tomer,

 

I have added a category called "Brakes" on your demo store and added a product in there. "SPR305 Brakes"

I have applied it to a Brakes category, Model > Kawasaki category and a Year -> 1990 and 1991.

 

Which works for Kawasaki 1991 and Kawasaki 1990 - so good.

 

What can I do to ensure that this brake is suitable for Susuki 1992 - 1993 but not Susuki 1991?

 

Is there a way to do this?

[tomerg3]

Yes, but not with the category structure I suggested.

 

The easiest way that comes to mind is using attributes, as they allow for this type of combination restriction.

 

You would need to hide the actual attribute selection on the product page, as it would just confuse the customer, and is only needed for filtering.

 

Stock should still work the same, as the customer would always buy the default combination (as it is should be hidden).

[nzrobert]

Ahhh so can I hide this on select product only, or would i need to hide attributes site wide in th code?

[tomerg3]

You could write code to only hide them for certain products / categories.

[nzrobert]

Hmmm, But i cant select multiple values for attributes anyway can I? I.e For "Year" I can only select 1 value.. Is that correct? Is there another method you had in mind?

[tomerg3]

It would require removing that JS enforced restriction (which was added in PS 1.4).

You can try it on the filter demo page, as it is running PS 1.3, I think the module should be able to handle it correctly.

[nzrobert]

Oh right, Is there any easy way to do this so that I can still update Prestashop later on?

[nzrobert]

Hmmm yep - just figured out this is still no option. I need product attributes for certain products in which case I would get extra attribute drop downs in the product pages.