Manage stock level by Attribute Reference - not the product name

[jon-sh]

PS 1.6.0.8

 

Looking for a solution for advanced stock management -- per attribute reference, not by product name.

 

Example products:

Product A 'Dog toy' has 3 attributes/ combinations (Red, White, Blue)
Product B 'Labrador toy' is identical to Product A, and the same attributes - but marketed differently for the end customer.
Product C 'Poodle toy' is also identical, and so on.

Why this is a problem:

Stock management uses product name to distinguish any entries. Now despite combinations being given the same reference code (eg 'red_toy'), advanced stock management ignores this and treats every entry as unique. So you end up managing multiple entries under the same reference.

 

Potential solution: Stock management will group identical combinations under the same reference. (EG 'red_toy', 'white_toy') and NOT by product name.

 

How would I do this? Desired outcome is illustrated below:

A - 'red_toy' - qty 100
B - 'white_toy' - qty 80
c - 'blue_toy' - qty 50

/*not*/


A - 'Dog toy - Red' - qty 100 'IN STOCK'
    'Dog toy - White'
    'Dog toy - Blue'
B - 'Labrador toy - Red' - qty 0 'SOLD OUT'
    'Labrador toy - White'
    'Labrador toy - Blue'
C - 'Poodle toy - Red' - qty 100 'IN STOCK'
    'Poodle toy - White'
    'Poodle toy - Blue'

As you can see, managing stock levels for only 3 variations quickly becomes impossible - let alone when there are more combinations than this. You can sell out of "Product B - red" but the system still thinks you have stock of "Product A - red".

 

Advice and guidance is appreciated.

Edited July 29, 2014 by jon-sh (see edit history)

[jon-sh]

Can anyone help?

[wimpie0050]

hello,

 

do you have a solution for this problem?

i face the same problem.

 

please let me know.

thank you in advance

[karolretezan]

I have the same problem.

I think to migrate to other shop platform, maybe woocommerce.