Managing variant quantities across multiple product Options' combinations

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My client runs a Pilates studio which offers two types of classes (mat and machine) per day at different time slots.
At the moment on the website, only one variant is available as classes are mostly full, but at the start of a course, there a re a number of variants on the drop down lists.

Clients book a course by choosing a type of class and the desired date-time slot using Options
They can also choose to do two classes a week as above, no problem.
They can also choose to do two classes a week from different types of classes at different date-time slots. Also no problem by using Options (with their built in characteristics and variants).

I need to manage the quantities for each date-time slot (product variant) that are being used in a variety of ways across many products.

This is no problem when only one of each class type is available per product, as the product can include Options and the Options' variants themselves can be limited.

The problem I have is with the two classes a week of the same class type.
I cannot include the same Option twice and if I use a second Option it means that its variants are not linked to the first Option's variants (even though the same characteristics are used), so there is no overall control for the quantity of each date-time slot (entered as an Options' variant) across the various products.

To use your product documentation example , imagine I need to set product availability limits on each of the RAM variants in the drop down, but include the RAM option twice for the product.

How can I work around this please, so that the number of places for each date-time slot can be controlled across all product variations.

Looking forward to hearing from you.
Greg

Hi Nicholas

Thank you for your reply.
I used characteristics in the past, but moved away from them (to options) as there were up to 10 characteristics (class date-time slots) in each drop down and doubling up was creating too much load, especially for mobile phones.

I don't see how to add quantity limits on characteristics - in your example, say there were only five Stilletto's in stock of size 4.5?

I need to place quantity limits on each item in the drop down list; the date-time options for each pilates class. The quantity check needs to apply, even if use two drop downs (containing the same items) are used in one product.
That's why I tried to build a parent-child relationship where the child (the actual product) referred back to the parent (the Options) for the date-time options, which could have quantity limits enforced. The problem was I could not add two of the same parents (as Options) in one product.

PS: Using HikaShop Essential

Hi Nicolas

Thank you for your reply. I cannot however be explaining myself clearly.

Synopsis:
I need to have the same stock's quantity limits applied to numerous products.

The detail:
1. My stock is linked to place availability according to one timetable.
2. I have a number of products that use the same stock ( availability in that one timetable).
3. In order to manage stock, I have isolated it by creating a separate product, that has the timetable stock itemised as variants, with limits set. (see: stock-variants.png)
4. I use this product ( in point 3) as an Option in my various products, eg 1 class a week, 2 classes a week, etc. (see: products-using-variants.png & product-with-variants.png)
5. This way, there is the "master" stock controlled product and other products use it.

Great. Now the problem:

This all work fine except when I try to use the product in 3, twice as an Option in another product, eg: 2 classes a week. HikaShop will not allow me to insert the same Option twice.
( To select the two classes that make up the '2 classes a week' product, the user needs to choose a class from 2 separate drop down lists)

If I set individual variants in each product, there is no overall stock control
If I use an Option and Characteristic, I loose the centralised stock control.

Is there another way to achieve this centralised stock control across numerous products?

Sorry. I hope this is clearer and I look forward to your reply.

Regards
Greg

Hi Nicolas

OK thanks for confirming.
I will use the single product option and get them to buy it twice and add a Coupon to achieve the price reduction required for the 2nd copy.
(I believe that this is only achievable with Coupons, not Discounts, but please let me know if Discounts can be applied if a second copy of a product is purchased.)

Appreciate the help and Happy Christmas to you!

Regards
Greg