Product inventory issue

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http://forums.oscommerce.com/viewtopic.php?p=158337#158337
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The originator of this thread shares the opinion I formed last year, that the single greatest failing of osC (presently) is its simplistic handling of stock or inventory.  For many stores, stock accounting must be at the attribute-combination level, not at the product level.  (A shirt that comes in three colors and four sizes has twelve attribute-combinations with stock levels that need to be maintained.) 

Installing my second store with osC, I find myself apologizing to the client again for this inadequacy.  But I will not just complain, I intend to roll up my sleeves and come up with an improvement.

Here's what I have in mind.  The product entry screen in admin will have a radio button selection for stock keeping at the product level, or at the attribute level. A store may have products with both methods.  The total stock for a product will still be kept in the product record, whether or not it is also accounted for at the attribute-combination level.  A new table will be introduced in the database, to maintain the stock level for each attribute-combination of the products accounted for this way. 

Each time a product item is added to inventory (restocking), taken out of inventory (sold), or returned to inventory (cancel or return), the stock field in the record associated with its attribute-combination is incremented or decremented appropriately.  Every time an attribute-combination record is changed, the product level total is also adjusted so all product level stock info is accurate.

A new admin program will be needed to show the product inventory, as kept at both levels, and to permit the adjustment of the quantities when restocking and to match physical inventory.

If anyone wants to assist in this, not just watch and wait, get in touch with me.