Product Database

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Hi

I'm new to C5 and CMS so just a bit of re-assurance before I jump in at the deep end. I asked a theme guy and about this but he suggested I ask here - but he did say he thought it very possible.

-I presume I can extend the C5 CMS database to hold all my product range (pictures, descriptions etc) and display them in a variety of ways?
-Should I create a new database to hold this data or just use the C5 one? Would seem better to seperate the two.
-Do I use Forms for this displaying user queries on the product range?
-How easy would it be for the sites client to update this database as stock changes? As site designer I don't really want to be involved with day to day stock level maintenance. Would they log into the site and get a series of restricted update pages? That sounds like something that would work.

Thanks in advance
Steve Day

 
Ekko replied on at Permalink Reply
Ekko
You can display your products in a variety of ways, and some choices for this are built in to the ecom package. You can extend the looks further via css or by altering the packages php.

You can create an additional database for just products, but I haven't seen any issues by anyone using the same as sites.

The ecom add-on includes a search interface that is fully extended for product attributes selections (categorization) and search input.

You can restrict their access to the dashboard to just e-commerce functions. This permissions system is part of c5, and is found by going to your dashboard, selecting system and settings, and than permissions. You can also set permissions by page, and specific area of a page if advanced permissions system is set. To add a group of users able to make product updates, go to users, and groups and select the add group option. Create a group, and give that group access to the ecom, assign user accounts to that group.
SteveDay replied on at Permalink Reply
Thanks Ekko, I'll have a look at the C5 eComm package and see if will do what I want. Sounds like it. It's that or try and write something myself...!