Is this possible ?

[Pitbull]

Morning guys.

Quick question

I need to know if it's possible to do the following. I need to be able to record e-mail addresses on enquiries online. If a client is requesting a certain service I need to be able to send out the request to my suppliers. I want the suppliers to respond to me and I respond to the client.

The trick is I want this to be automated.

Client logs onto the website and wants branded leather. Client is a first time user and logs his request for branded leather and what quantity he requires leaving his return e-mail address for the quotes.

The website generates this to the suppliers (Automated) No I don;t want them to have the client's e-mail address and spam him. I want them to respond to me and the responce will then be automated back to the client. Keeping the client's e-mail a secret and gives the client his quotes without me having to generate them manually.

I had something like a tag system in mind. Each quote generated gets tagged with a number to link all quotes back to that e-mail or something like that.

Any ideas ?

 

[Sapphiron]

Should be possible. It will need some fancy programming on your websites side, there features aren't exactly standard ecommerce functions. So its likely to be pricey.

You system can generate a Request for quote. The clients email address is kept by your system. Your suppliers will get an email with the quote details, they can then reply to it on a custom email address generated by your website. Your website will then receive the email, know which Request for quote it is for and forward it to the end user.

Alternatively, the supplier could submit the quote onto a form on your website, so the end user does not get any of your suppliers details.

 

[ColinR]

Your biggest problem would be getting the return email address to be received by the automated system. The automated change-email-address and send is simple.

 

[Pitbull]

Yes, I get what you're saying.

See the problem is this:

1. I need to be able to force competition between my suppliers. (They pay for this function) - So I would like for them to receive some form of advertizing also.

(I can only foresee this being an admin headache if these need to be received and generated manually from my side)

2. As per point number 1. The client needs to receive all quotes and make a decision him/herself. Without any cost or obligation to the client. (The suppliers pay for the exposure)

Now with these in mind, I don't want to compromise the Supplier or the client's details. Companies would obviously supply a contact number with a quote number for said enquiry. But I will have to exclude their e-mail address which they use to receive and respond to my website.

Damn, I have no idea how to work around this

 

[ToxicBunny]

You will need some fairly fancy internal processing to manage this...

You might even have to eschew using email for your supplier and rather have a system where they can attach quotes to a quote request?

 

[Sapphiron]

Your biggest problem would be getting the return email address to be received by the automated system. The automated change-email-address and send is simple.

The use of online generated forms might be a better option. Battling with Email formats and embedded HTML is a pain in the rear.

The system can email them a URL to the generated page.

 

[.Froot.]

I don't know where the "really fancy" and "not easy" parts come in... I just did a similar contract a few weeks back. It's really not that hard, just requires keeping head with all of the workings and know-how.

From what I understand you want the following:
1. new client -> database entry
2. server-side detection of what client wants, sends this to the correct supplier via website-email function (automated). Quote/reference number added to user, also sent through to supplier in subject header.
3. Supplier replies to email, you+client receive email with quote/reference number, quote and other details. Only access to email address would be via database that server-side coding access, no one sees it.
4. Other programming does the rest of the database (tables for quotes and tables for users)

 

[Veroland]

Yes, I get what you're saying.

See the problem is this:

1. I need to be able to force competition between my suppliers. (They pay for this function) - So I would like for them to receive some form of advertizing also.

(I can only foresee this being an admin headache if these need to be received and generated manually from my side)

2. As per point number 1. The client needs to receive all quotes and make a decision him/herself. Without any cost or obligation to the client. (The suppliers pay for the exposure)

Now with these in mind, I don't want to compromise the Supplier or the client's details. Companies would obviously supply a contact number with a quote number for said enquiry. But I will have to exclude their e-mail address which they use to receive and respond to my website.

Damn, I have no idea how to work around this

I don't know where the "really fancy" and "not easy" parts come in... I just did a similar contract a few weeks back. It's really not that hard, just requires keeping head with all of the workings and know-how.

From what I understand you want the following:
1. new client -> database entry
2. server-side detection of what client wants, sends this to the correct supplier via website-email function (automated). Quote/reference number added to user, also sent through to supplier in subject header.
3. Supplier replies to email, you+client receive email with quote/reference number, quote and other details. Only access to email address would be via database that server-side coding access, no one sees it.
4. Other programming does the rest of the database (tables for quotes and tables for users)

froot is right, it's fairly easy. I will help as long as it's not a "I wan't to get spam scheme".