Project Detail

Description

Hello friends!

I need some help figuring out how to rebuild this "nice" but "simple" shopping cart for my client.

It's for a drive-thru coffee shop. And they have customers that order online, and pick their orders up in the drive thru.

I built a system that currently provides the functions we need, but apparently, not every customer has a programmer's mind. (In other words, there's too many cumbersome steps involved.) So, in other words, I need to dumb it down quite a bit, and make this shopping cart as easy as possible to work with. (Send me a PMB, and I'll show you the current system.)

So here's what we've got:

It's a shopping cart that allows customers to:

1.) Get online and see available products,
2.) Select a product or product(s), and
3.) Purchase the product(s) an pay online

I'm not so much worried about methods of payment, or even the time frame of when the customer might come in to pick up their drinks to make sure the drinks are hot and ready when they get there (That's what makes this system so special... but I've got that part covered!) I've programmed all of this already... we just need to re-develop the ordering interface so that it's VERY simple to use.

Basically, it has an initial Flash interface, then goes on into PHP/MySQL to carry out the order (through way too many pages).

HOWEVER! I'm NOT suggesting that we keep the Flash interface. I already spent too much $$$ in having the ActionScript written for that intiital part. I don't wish to go through that again.

So here IS what I want:

Holler at me, and I'll show you the graphics to the interface of the new order form. You'll also get to see the current order form, and also have the ability to place a test order to understand how it works.

Then, when you see the design template, you'll understand how simple the concept really is. Basically, I want to keep EVERYTHING on a single page. The entire ordering system doesn't take more than a single browser window. And if you're good with AJAX, then you already skimmed over this sentence (hint, hint).

What are the variables? The client needs to be able to click on an image, then it pops up a window where they can further specify the variables associated with that item. So they click the "Latte". It opens up a nice little .js (or whatever) window (I love scriptaculous!) and they can click a few buttons that allow them to specify the quantity, along with the extra check boxes (add an extra shot, add whipped cream, etc. >>> basic form $vars!). They click "update" or "okay", and the cart is updated accordingly.

More than anything... I need you to focus on one main thing >>> Consider the simplicity of a single web page with a few image "maps" (or whatever), that cover only about 20 or 30 products. The customer clicks on an item, and (if according to proper .js validation), allows the $SESSION_VAR to be set, the item goes into the cart. And then there is a separate function() that can tell when all session $vars are "valid" which allows the "check out button" becomes enabled.

THINK SIMPLICITY.

I already have the database built. I have written a coupon code script that can give discounts. I have integrated all of this with the credit card merchant API for quick and easy checkouts. I wrote a script that emails all this info directly to the store. So most of this is already written! (Yes, I understand that some things may need to be re-written to tie into these passed $vars)

So please don't make this more complicated then necessary. It only needs to be a page where people can click an item, select options from the .js window that opens from it (mootools is another good example), and upon validation, sets the $vars which are to store to the session... ready for later retrieval/usage.

Please let me know if you have further questions. High bids will not be considered since most of this can be done by myself. I know what it takes to build this sort of script... whether it be RoR, CakePHP, or Symfony.

I am looking for basic functionality... I don't need you to build the entire system. ;)

You need to be FAST, REASONABLE, and from the USA (or at least speak a great deal of English!) :)

PMB me, and I'll send you more info.

Thanks!

Mike