Same Product Within Multple Sections

[RouX]

Hi,
And thanks in advance to anyone who can help me. I have had a quick look through the forum but cannt find an answer to my query.
We sell a variety of similar items from multiple manufacturers. I would like to give the customer the option to browse by "type" or by "manufacturer".
This means setting up the product and having the single product line show under two different pages.

I do not want to create a duplicate of every product as this would be a maintenance nightmare due to the amount of product lines we currently have.

Does anyone know if this is possible?

[NormanRouxel]

I'm afraid that what you want will require to use Duplicates.

However all you have to do is be rigorous in that you always keep the main products in one section structure (say the Type one) and only put Duplicates into the Manufacturer one.

You can set up the duplicates so that all the info is maintained in the main product.

So whenever you create a product, the final step is to copy / paste as duplicate into the appropriate place within Manufacturers.

P.S. Nice nickname.

[leehack]

I've never seen that this is possible personally. If the products are very similar, hows about having a base product and selecting the manufacturer you would like in a drop down box instead?

[RouX]

Thanks Lee, As the descriptions are slightly different I'm afraid that your solution is not an option but your comments are appreciated.

Norman, thanks very much for that. I assume that means that if there is a price increase I would only need to change this in the main product (Type) and this will automatically update in the sub (Manufacturer)

If so then its not such a nightmare after all!

Thanks again - all your help is much appreciated by this struggling newby!

[leehack]

I don't think it's anywhere near as daunting as you think to be honest. On the master if you change something, you can instantly send the amendments to all duplicates. Once set up its pretty easy to maintain to be honest, just keep to a structure so you have a set process when something needs changing

[Paul Cutcliffe]

Do you still need to organise these products in multiple sections?

Are your products imported from a database? If not, could they be?

I've spent some time developing a solution for a client of mine who has in excess of 10,000 products, so of course they are managed in an Access database. However, this database allows you to place the products in many different sections, then exports the Products, Duplicate Products & Sections to a couple of files that Actinic then imports.

If you're interested in hearing more about this database, let me know at Paul.Cutcliffe@eNetIT.com.

Regards,
Paul Cutcliffe
eNet IT Solutions Ltd
Actinic Partner