Products_Insert when there are options

I am having an issue with the PS3 product_insert page. It does not insert values into the "ProductLive" (via the product available for sale check box) and the the ProductStock database fields in the product table for any options (except for the default option).

Here is what happens:
1. I add a new product, filling out the entire form, with the category highlighted, and with all fields filled out, and the "live" check box checked. I check the box to add options and click finish.

2. Before I add the six color options (default plus five) on the options_Add page, I check the database via phpMyAdmin. I see one record for the product I just added, and all the fields have their values as they should.

3. I return to the options_Add form and add color as the option, and then the default value. No database record added, but I presume there is a "flag" somewhere such that first record is now associated with the default color. I add the next color. I check the database to see a record added this time, but the "ProductLive" and the ProductStock database fields contain zeros, not the values they should, based on the first record entered.

4. I complete the addition of the other four colors (total six), click finish, and the database has a total of six records, the first one correct, and the latter five with the aforementioned zeros. All the other fields such as price, weight, etc. have had their values carried forward with each record for each color addition.

5. I am now at the Products_Update page (for the default color product). If I check the "update all options" boxes for "ProductLive" and the "ProductStock" inventory, the correct values are entered into the five records that previously held zeros, and all records are now correct.

Is this the proper work flow for entering a product with options, or is this a bug? It seems like the records should have been correct without having to perform step 5 above. Please advise.

Thanks,
Robert

That is the correct work flow. When you add options, we default the product stock and the product live column to those values. And then use the Update All Options to update all the variations of that product after options has been added.

This should help in keeping inventory of those options that were added, since it is not always the case that those variations have the same stock as the default product.

Thanks Dani.

You say you "default the product stock and the product live column to 'those values'. And then use the Update All Options to update all the variations of that product after options has been added."

Are you saying that 'those values' should be the same as for the default product (i.e. non-zero). In my case they are zero, and the 'Update All Options' must be used to finish (make correct) the entries to the database such that they reflect the proper numbers.

I think the correct flow of data should be that the default values for 'stock' and 'live' for all product options are the same, and that the Update should only be for the exceptions (when there really are differences in 'stock' and 'live' values).

I say this because after I complete the addition of the other colors and click finish, I would expect all the database records to be at the default values. Otherwise, how does one know that they are not at the default (correct) values when they are returned to the Products_Update page?

There is no message telling me that I now need to check the "update all options" boxes for "ProductLive" and the "ProductStock" inventory, in order for the correct values to be entered into the five records that hold zeros. Having to do that last step turns out to be critical. Had I did not checked the database records, I would not have known that I needed to do it.

Thanks,
Robert

When options are added we set the stock and the product live column to 0 by default (they are not suppose to have the same values as the default product).
The intention was after options were added, to go to manage inventory page where you can make specific options live and set the inventory for those new options.

the manage inventory button is shown per product on the admin products results page.

I do understand, that it is not clear that you needed to make the last step, but hopefully visiting the manage inventory page will give you a better view of managing product with options.

Thanks Dani. I appreciate your taking the time to explain the logic used in programming this part of the store. Overall, I am very pleased with it, and I know my client will be too.

Robert