Region field / Alternate Grouping/filtering

[TimB]

I would like a three new (related) features for RP 3 -

1. It would be useful to have a Manufactuer masterfile that can be selected from when creating a product. If I have many products for the same manufacturer I have to enter the same details over and over again - increasing the chances of mis-typing etc.

2. I would also like an additional field available on this new Manufacturer masterfile to flag which regions they (in my case service providers) operate in. A manufacturer would be able to select multiple locations if desired.

3. This region field should have a hierarchy available so that I can use it to limit the items returned in the categories on the main index e.g. I might want to see on Products only from Manufacturers in California - thus removing the hundreds of others that are scattered all over the country.

I would see this additional filter sitting above or to the side of the main Category index - defaulting to all regions but having a drop down list that would step through each level in the hierarchy. Eg Level 1 All Regions, Level 2 West Coast USA, Level 3 California etc.

Would be nice - would anyone else find these additional features useful?
Thanks
Tim