splitting first and last names

[remmo]

Is there a way to split the first and last names when we collect customer details?

At moment the details are collected in Cardholder name field. I'm assuming this is required for PSP validation. But can this field be split to allow seperate entry of first and last names.

I just think it looks a bit funny to have "Dear John Citizen" written in the confirmation emails etc instead of "Dear John" (which IMHO is far more professional.

[Bruce]

Remmo,

Looking into this for you.

Kind regards,

[Bruce]

Remmo,

This is one for the wish list. Actinic uses a single variable in the email template to bring in the customer name - <Actinic:CUSTOMER_NAME/>. I will add it in for you.

Kind regards,

[remmo]

thanks Bruce

[fleetwood]

Bruce
Please add my name to the wish list for this.
The key is in collecting the data (seperate firstname and surname), not just in the outputting for email.
The single field for customer name is made worse by the inclusion of the mr/mrs prefix. If you ever have need to sort any of the database tables by customer, the vast majority of customers are simply grouped together under m for mr!
Quite simply, this is poor database design.
Is there any reason the customer name field was designed this way?
Martin

[Bruce]

Martin,

Added a request for you too.

Kind regards,

[Bruce]

Hi Remmo & Martin,

I have attached a modified OrderScript.pl. What this does is to change the way the call is made for the name to be used in emails. When creating the emails the name used will be the last word in the appropriate name. This is done in 3 places and calls a new function GetSurname(). If you search the script for 'surname' you will be able to see the changes made.

Please note that all usual warnings apply. Make a backup before doing anything.

Kind regards,

[Bruce]

If you usually have people using hyphenated last names, then,

Open the new OrderScript.pl

Search for [a-z]
and replace with [a-z-']

This will recognise all alpha characters plus the hyphen and apostrophe as being part of a word so the following are recognised...

Connor
Connor-Fitgerald
O'Connor
O'Connor-Fitgerald

Kind regards,