Prestashop The Right Solution?

[XPaulo42]

Hello everybody,

 

I'm in the process of evaluating some webshop solutions for the need I have and was wondering if somebody could clearly let me know if I can do what I need to with prestashop.

 

My project will sell data, not tangible goods. The data is dynamically created (I've already seen people that wanted to sell codes) but is based on what the user selects (this is where it differs). To be able to make that selection, I need a page (or a workflow) that lets the user check some boxes or select some criteria from dropdown menus (this can be criteria A + B + C OR D etc.)

 

Somehow (big HTTP Post), the criteria is sent to the server which passes it to the underlying SQL server. The result is the data I want to sell which is provided to the user in the form of a file only after he'd pay. Based on the criteria, the result can also be null (which he obviously can't purchase)

 

I understand, everything is possible with custom code but I would like to keep the software solution as standard as possible so that additional upgrades won't kill the site.

 

Do you think I can do this with prestashop?

 

Cheers

Paulo

[XPaulo42]

Ok - I installed it to have a look.

 

As far as I went, I am able to create virtual goods and assign them a file. They can be downloaded by the customer once he paid and logs back to his account (this means a user must create an account) OR I found via a smal patch in the code that I could also send an email to the user and have him download the file.

 

However, I still don't know if I can easily create a page that will dynamically create the file. Can anyone advise

 

Cheers,

Paulo

[l3msip]

Yes this is certainly possible with custom coding in prestashop, the core is well designed and seems easy enough to extend with modules etc.

 

However the question should be how many of prestashops built in features do you require?

 

Your use case seems pretty unique, so im fairly sure you wont find a pre built solution.

 

If you find you dont really require many of the built in functions at all, it may be cheaper to have something built from scratch. Using a solid framework ({insert favourite php mvc framework here} / c# mvc etc) an experianced developer should be able to build your app quite quickly, perhaps far quicker than modifying a pre existing product like presta.

[XPaulo42]

Yes this is certainly possible with custom coding in prestashop, the core is well designed and seems easy enough to extend with modules etc.

 

However the question should be how many of prestashops built in features do you require?

 

Your use case seems pretty unique, so im fairly sure you wont find a pre built solution.

 

If you find you dont really require many of the built in functions at all, it may be cheaper to have something built from scratch. Using a solid framework ({insert favourite php mvc framework here} / c# mvc etc) an experianced developer should be able to build your app quite quickly, perhaps far quicker than modifying a pre existing product like presta.

 

Thanks for this. Indeed, your question is the one I should be asking myself.

 

I did I a small POC, which works fine but is not "clean".

I created a hard link in the prestahop interface which points to my famous HTML page. when the user makes his selection, the POST data is sent to the page which makes the adequate inserts to the prestashop database, and creates the dynamic file, then redirects the user to the newly-created product. He just needs to click add to cart at that point...

 

It is independant of prestashop, just requires inside knowloedgs of the db tables. But sill, I don't consider implementing this in this way.

 

Thanks for the discussion

Cheers,

Paulo