Bug 21250 - Auto-self-checkout not fully compatible with multi-branch library setup
Summary: Auto-self-checkout not fully compatible with multi-branch library setup
Status: NEW
Alias: None
Product: Koha
Classification: Unclassified
Component: Self checkout (show other bugs)
Version: master
Hardware: All All
: P5 - low normal (vote)
Assignee: Bugs List
QA Contact: Testopia
URL:
Keywords:
: 24332 (view as bug list)
Depends on:
Blocks:
 
Reported: 2018-08-20 08:58 UTC by Oliver Behnke
Modified: 2020-01-03 06:13 UTC (History)
3 users (show)

See Also:
Change sponsored?: ---
Patch complexity: ---
Who signed the patch off:
Text to go in the release notes:
Version(s) released in:


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Description Oliver Behnke 2018-08-20 08:58:50 UTC
We use a two-branch library setup, both with auto-self-checkout enabled, so patrons log in with their cardnumber via the pre-defined staff user account (see below). The problem is that since the internal self-checkout user also has to be assigned to exactly one branch, that branch will be used as "current location" when a patron checks out a book. So, it's the self-service account's branch that's used instead of the patron's/borrower's branch.

From looking at the code it seems that C4::Circulation->AddIssue() is using "C4::Context->userenv->{branch}" where "$borrower->{'branch'}" should probably be used instead, since the current user's branch isn't relevant (even wrong) in the auto-self-checkout context.

FYI, we use the following config (if relevant at all):
- Koha 18.05.01-2
- AutoSelfCheckAllowed: Allow (AutoSelfCheckID/AutoSelfCheckPass)
- CircControl: the library the item is from
- HomeOrHoldingBranch: the library the item is from

Thank you.
Comment 1 Oliver Behnke 2018-08-20 11:28:18 UTC
It's probably a good idea to verify that all uses of "C4::Context->userenv" (anywhere) are compatible with the auto-self-checkout system as the underlying assumption that the current user is always a concrete patron or librarian isn't applicable in that scenario.

Cheers
Comment 2 Katrin Fischer 2018-09-24 19:36:03 UTC
I think using the current user's branch would not be correct - it's possible that patrons from one home library visit other branches for lending books. 

For another solution see:
https://wiki.koha-community.org/wiki/Override_sysprefs_in_Apache_config
Comment 3 Oliver Behnke 2018-09-25 08:59:10 UTC
(In reply to Katrin Fischer from comment #2)
> I think using the current user's branch would not be correct - it's possible
> that patrons from one home library visit other branches for lending books. 

I understand your point but what you describe is an edge case, compared to the current implementation which is always wrong for the patrons of all but one branch.

> For another solution see:
> https://wiki.koha-community.org/wiki/Override_sysprefs_in_Apache_config

I fail to see how that can be solution. Our scenario comprises a single library with two branches, which seems to me as a standard well supported setup. Those branches share the same Koha instance and OPAC. There's therefore just a single web server. How am I supposed to modify the request headers for the branch-local self-service terminals when they simply display the same website?

Thanks
Comment 4 Katrin Fischer 2018-09-25 09:02:40 UTC
(In reply to Oliver Behnke from comment #3)
> (In reply to Katrin Fischer from comment #2)
> > I think using the current user's branch would not be correct - it's possible
> > that patrons from one home library visit other branches for lending books. 
> 
> I understand your point but what you describe is an edge case, compared to
> the current implementation which is always wrong for the patrons of all but
> one branch.

Sorry, but I don't think it's an edge case. It's very usual for a lot of the libraries that patrons use more than one branch.

> 
> > For another solution see:
> > https://wiki.koha-community.org/wiki/Override_sysprefs_in_Apache_config
> 
> I fail to see how that can be solution. Our scenario comprises a single
> library with two branches, which seems to me as a standard well supported
> setup. Those branches share the same Koha instance and OPAC. There's
> therefore just a single web server. How am I supposed to modify the request
> headers for the branch-local self-service terminals when they simply display
> the same website?
> 
> Thanks

You'd change your Apache configuration to keep your normal URL as it is, but have 2 separate URLs for each branch of your library. Say: branch1.library.org and branch2.library.org - using those with the sys pref overwrite at the self check stations would then help select the right patron. But this discussion is getting out of scope here - Apache setup should be better discussed on the mailing list.
Comment 5 Oliver Behnke 2018-09-25 09:08:00 UTC
I didn't mean to ignore your case, I just wanted to point out that the current situation is even worse :-)

Thanks again Katrin. As I said in #10060, I'm going to have a closer look at VirtualHost workaround. I don't think this discussion is getting of course since you're providing a workaround for the issue we discuss here.

I think that eventually your idea in https://bugs.koha-community.org/bugzilla3/show_bug.cgi?id=10060#c17 should be implemented as a solution to this issue, though.

Cheers
Comment 6 Katrin Fischer 2018-09-25 09:18:59 UTC
Yes, the Apache solution is more of a workaround than a nice solution. I like the idea of the parameter, but it probably won't be implemented without someone funding it.
Comment 7 Oliver Behnke 2018-09-25 10:08:13 UTC
Could anyone provide further funding details? Monetary or developer time? Any required effort estimates? IOW, how would "funding" work?

I had a brief look at the code some time ago and this particular part seemed rather strewn across various places. I'd give it a shot myself if only I could be sure where to look first of all :-)

Cheers
Comment 8 Katrin Fischer 2018-09-25 20:37:53 UTC
(In reply to Oliver Behnke from comment #7)
> Could anyone provide further funding details? Monetary or developer time?
> Any required effort estimates? IOW, how would "funding" work?

As Koha is open source, you have a lot of different options. You could switch the 'Change sponsored' field here to 'Seeking developer' or 'Seeking cosponsors', but I am not sure how many check that. You could ask for quotes on the mailing list or contact developers directly for quotes. If you want to have a go yourself, you could join us on IRC for help or ask questions on the mailing list.
Comment 9 Oliver Behnke 2018-09-28 10:11:05 UTC
FYI, I successfully deployed the Apache-based syspref override workaround. The nice thing about it is that (with Apache 2.4) you don't even need a separate VirtualHost. Just use conditionals in the existing OPAC VirtualHost:

<If "-R 'CLIENT_OR_NET_IP_HERE'">
  SetEnv OVERRIDE_SYSPREF_AutoSelfCheckID "abc"
  SetEnv OVERRIDE_SYSPREF_AutoSelfCheckPass "123"
  RequestHeader add X-Koha-SetEnv "OVERRIDE_SYSPREF_AutoSelfCheckID abc"
  RequestHeader add X-Koha-SetEnv "OVERRIDE_SYSPREF_AutoSelfCheckPass 123"
</If>

Cheers
Comment 10 Oliver Behnke 2018-09-28 10:48:53 UTC
I should have added that the two bottom statement are for Plack users, so you only need one of the pairs.
Comment 11 Katrin Fischer 2018-09-28 11:51:55 UTC
Hi Oliver, thx for sharing your solution, I've added it to the wiki:
https://wiki.koha-community.org/wiki/Override_sysprefs_in_Apache_config#Examples
Can you check?
Comment 12 Oliver Behnke 2018-09-28 13:20:42 UTC
You could add "See also" refs to the Apache docs covering the expression I used: 

https://httpd.apache.org/docs/2.4/mod/core.html#if
https://httpd.apache.org/docs/2.4/expr.html

Also, could you please add the following in-line comments about Plack integration, which is, AFAIK, optional. I also changed the user/pw placeholders to match the existing wiki examples.

<If "-R 'CLIENT_OR_NET_IP_HERE'">
  # Koha without Plack
  SetEnv OVERRIDE_SYSPREF_AutoSelfCheckID "xyz"
  SetEnv OVERRIDE_SYSPREF_AutoSelfCheckPass "abc"

  # Koha with Plack
  # (commas must be escaped with '\')
  RequestHeader add X-Koha-SetEnv "OVERRIDE_SYSPREF_AutoSelfCheckID xyz"
  RequestHeader add X-Koha-SetEnv "OVERRIDE_SYSPREF_AutoSelfCheckPass abc"
</If>

HTH
Comment 13 Katrin Fischer 2018-10-11 05:43:57 UTC
(In reply to Oliver Behnke from comment #12)
> You could add "See also" refs to the Apache docs covering the expression I
> used: 
> 
> https://httpd.apache.org/docs/2.4/mod/core.html#if
> https://httpd.apache.org/docs/2.4/expr.html
> 
> Also, could you please add the following in-line comments about Plack
> integration, which is, AFAIK, optional. I also changed the user/pw
> placeholders to match the existing wiki examples.
> 
> <If "-R 'CLIENT_OR_NET_IP_HERE'">
>   # Koha without Plack
>   SetEnv OVERRIDE_SYSPREF_AutoSelfCheckID "xyz"
>   SetEnv OVERRIDE_SYSPREF_AutoSelfCheckPass "abc"
> 
>   # Koha with Plack
>   # (commas must be escaped with '\')
>   RequestHeader add X-Koha-SetEnv "OVERRIDE_SYSPREF_AutoSelfCheckID xyz"
>   RequestHeader add X-Koha-SetEnv "OVERRIDE_SYSPREF_AutoSelfCheckPass abc"
> </If>
> 
> HTH

Hi Oliver, I didn't get to it yet. If you want, please feel free to edit the wikipage yourself! Account creation is moderated, so it might take a little bit to go through, but it's only an anti-spam measure and everyone is invited to contribute.
Comment 14 Oliver Behnke 2018-11-15 08:37:05 UTC
Done.
Comment 15 Katrin Fischer 2018-11-15 10:33:35 UTC
Awesome, thx!
Comment 16 Katrin Fischer 2019-12-12 07:31:42 UTC
As we found a workaround, I am lowering severity to 'normal' - might be bordering on enh at this point.
Comment 17 Katrin Fischer 2020-01-02 21:53:48 UTC
*** Bug 24332 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***
Comment 18 Christopher Brannon 2020-01-03 01:20:02 UTC
Would like to see a more straight forward solution to this.
Comment 19 Katrin Fischer 2020-01-03 06:13:33 UTC
(In reply to Christopher Brannon from comment #18)
> Would like to see a more straight forward solution to this.

Agreed - was just linking both as I think it's the same problem and maybe this is still helpful as a workaround.
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