Version 8.0

What is the best way to implement some custom promotions not supported by Ektron? For example, we need to add some tables to Ektron’s coupons DB structure because our promotions are a bit more complex than what Ektron allows us to do. We are right now evaluating the best way to implement our promotions without “corrupting” Ektron and the workarea. Right now, we have thought about 2 ways of doing it. Adding some new tables and on the cms:Cart OnBeforeCalculate event, override Ektron’s coupons’ logic. Problem with that solution is that we are worried about future updates from Ektron. If the DB structure is changed, all our logic will need to be done again.

We could also develop promotions from scratch, creating our own tables, DAL, BLL, but what would be the impacts on the Checkout and workarea’s customers/orders reports?

Actually, we would also like to use some of the coupons features already present in Ektron. If we are using both system (coupons and custom promotions), would we open a door for major issue?

One last thing, we don’t like the way the coupons are applied to the shopping cart.  It seems like it is applied to the cart total which is not exactly how we would like it.  For example, if I have 2 coupons, a 10% discount on shopping cart value of 50$ or more and a free shipping on orders over 50$, both coupons will be applied if my cart is 50$, however this does not make any sense as once my first 10% discount coupon has been applied on my shopping cart total, my total would then be only 45$, therefore I should not receive the FREE shipping coupon as my cart value is lower than 50$.

Is there a way to change this behavior without reprogramming the whole thing?

Has anyone tried to override the coupons?

Thanks a lot.