WAIT LIST MANAGER

Customers can identify products that they would like to purchase but are currently out of stock. Once you place the product in stock, you can run the Send Email routine from the module admin interface. It sends an unlimited number of notifications as one process, using MIVA Engine functions to prevent timeout. Each waiting customer will receive an email telling them that the product is back in stock in your MIVA Merchant store.

Important Note. This module only works on inventory by product code. If you have implemented inventory at the attribute level, this module will not work for your store.

If you are using my Inventory Management (IM) module (version 2.x or 3.x) or MIVA's Inventory Management (version 4.x or 5.x), the wait list manager will automatically insert the Wait List link on the product page when the quantity is zero or less (version 2.x or 3.x) or out of stock (version 4.x or 5.x configurable on a product by product basis). If you have modified your IM (version 2.x or 3.x) to allow ordering at less than zero to a specified lower amount, you can modify the Wait List Manager to account for that. In 4.x or 5.x, this is determined by the global default or individual product's "out" setting. You can even block the automatic link insertion by including the product code in the blocking list through the admin interface. If you are not using an Inventory Management module, you can still use the Wait List Manager by manually inserting the link into the product description of products you want to "Wait List". In the case of "other" inventory management systems, you can insert the link into the code that those systems generate for out-of-stock messages.

When the customer clicks the Wait List link they are taken to a form to verify/enter their email address. If they are logged in, it inserts their email address for them. If not, they just type it in. The form also lists the number of other customers waiting for the item if that number is 5 or above (just to the right of the product name). This will give customers a sense of urgency when they receive the in-stock notification. When they add themselves to the list, you have the option (in admin) of sending them a thank you (for their interest) email. If you employ this option, it will also tell them their position on the Wait List. When products are in short supply, that may be something your customers would like to know. Also, if they are already on the Wait List, and sign up again, it will not duplicate their record, rather it will email them that they are already on the list and what their current position is on the list.

The admin configuration screen allows you to vary the name and/or image associated with this program so you aren't locked into the term "Wait List". You can also change the colors and fonts in the form along with the verbage in the form and notification email. You may even want to pass on a coupon code in the notification email for customers who have been waiting for a product.

When editing an individual product in admin, you can also display all of the Wait List records associated with that product. They can be deleted manually in this screen if you don't plan to restock the item. There is also a handy link for mailing them to verify their continued interest in the item. For those not using the built-in Inventory Management, this is also the screen that allows you to use Wait List to notify customers when an item is re-stocked. The Inventory Override works with either no online inventory system or inventory systems from other 3rd party module providers. Naturally, it also works with mine (version 2.x and 3.x) and MIVA's (version 4.x and 5.x) inventory systems. You can even limit the notification in this screen to just some of the waiting customers. This is useful when you only receive a small number of the out-of-stock item and there are many more waiting for it. Since the entries are arranged in order, it is easy to give those on the waiting list the longest, the first shot at the newly re-stocked item.

You can quickly get a summary of all of the items on "Wait List" to provide you with a re-order, based on demand, tool.

When you Send Email, the module searches all products with a stock level (if using mine or MIVA's Inventory Management systems) above zero and checks the product code against the Wait List database. Pending Wait List customers are notified of the re-stock of the product and their Wait List record is then deleted.

This module works with both the MIVA Merchant and OpenUI look and feel user interfaces. Minor editing is required if you are not using the OpenUI.

To help the store owner identify needs quickly, an optional CC email can be sent when an item is wait listed.

In the compiled version, you can use this module with the standard MMUI, as mmui.mv edits are not required in Merchant versions 4.14 and newer.

New in the compiled version is an alternate template form for the customer to enter their name and email address. This template can be HTML customized to suit your look and feel. If you are not skilled at coding HTML, you can still use the default (built in) form which is customized with colors, fonts, etc with easy inputs in admin.

The 4.x compiled version of this module can use OpenTokens instead of hook points within OpenObjects. The OpenDesigner screen lists the OpenObjects which can replace all or some screens within the OpenUI user interface. The OpenObjects provide a template screen which contains the existing hook points (backward compatibility), OpenToken capability, and the ability to move output around within the OpenObject screen. Since the tokens in this module conform to OpenToken functionality, they may be used in other template type screens like those provided by Viking Coders. Place the wait list button on the Merchant pages so that it better fits your desired look.

If you have Merchant 5x, we have incorporated wait listing into the Emporium Plus Tool Kit module. We recommend you use the Tool Kit for wait listing as it gives you more control of the email layout and the notifications are more automated. It also supports inventory variants, whereas the basic wait list module does not.

Online overview and initial setup instructions for our MIVA Merchant modules.

Screen shot showing customer entry form

Screen shot showing admin setup interface

Screen shot showing admin interface at the individual products screen

Screen shot showing admin actions

^OpenUI Tokens:~compiled OpenUI v4.74+ ^Keywords:~wait list, backorder, out-of-stock, inventory