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How do I bulk import a large catalog of products w/ shared choices & text input fields?
Rank: Member
Joined: 8/5/2010(UTC)
Posts: 16
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I have a potential client with thousands of clothing items that I'd like to use a bulk import method to maintain the online catalog. I need to specify "shared choices" on size ("S", "M", "L", etc) and color. Also, screen printing customization is available for some products so I need a couple "text input" fields for some products.
The flat file import tool cannot handle shared choices and text input fields.
How are the large stores doing this with BV Commerce? And, what versions of BV Commerce can do this? Thanks!
rlp
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Rank: Member
Joined: 11/5/2003(UTC)
Posts: 1,786
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You'll probably need to custom code something using the web services to achieve that type of import. You can use the migration tools as examples since that's what we do when moving from BV5 to 6, etc. The source for the BV5 to 6 migration tool is available on GitHub at http://github.com/mmccon...18/BV-Commerce-Community
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Rank: Member
Joined: 8/5/2010(UTC)
Posts: 16
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Here's an example BV Commerce client company doing what I'm talking about : http://www.promomanagers.com/Port-Authority-Competitor-Jacket-jp54.aspxThere are hundreds of products with "shared choices" for color and text input boxes for size and special instructions. How does this company keep their catalog updated? Because of the extensive product line it certainly isn't manually; one by one product entry. (I've tried to contact them this week via their customer service email form but no response yet.) Let me know. Thanks!
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Rank: Member
Joined: 11/25/2003(UTC)
Posts: 370
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They most likely have custom code to do this. I do the same thing at www.outdooroutfitters.com. Much of the inventory here is entered into the system by scheduled task operations that run daily from another party that has all the inventory information available with web services. Even the images are downloaded from the services, entered into the database and saved on the website. Any way you look at it you will not find a canned solution. |
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Rank: Member
Joined: 1/15/2008(UTC)
Posts: 58
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Cool webs ;
Tell us more about the customization.
Our supplier offers the same data but in an ASCII delimited text file, Zip file or text file.
All with images, titles & descriptions.
There has to be a way to utilize this data for daily management, as well as getting all 20,000 products up on my store.
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Rank: Member
Joined: 11/25/2003(UTC)
Posts: 370
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Tafel1 said...Cool webs ; Tell us more about the customization. Our supplier offers the same data but in an ASCII delimited text file, Zip file or text file. All with images, titles & descript ions. There has to be a way to utilize this data for daily management, as well as getting all 20,000 products up on my store. </div></div></div> Sure you could have a process that processes the supplied information and updates your online database as needed. Lots of options on how to handle it from scheduled task, desktop app etc. Can't really explain www.outdooroutfitters.com integration with Sports South here. |
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Rank: Member
Joined: 1/15/2008(UTC)
Posts: 58
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"scheduled task, desktop app etc." term limited,  HA. Are these in the BVC files or downloadable apps? Running BVC5.3.1 Any tips on code jobbers or DIY's, walk me through it types, files to look at? Definitely HIGH on my priority list. THX
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Rank: Member
Joined: 1/15/2008(UTC)
Posts: 58
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I just realized you guys did my site. 
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Rank: Member
Joined: 11/25/2003(UTC)
Posts: 370
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Tafel1 said..."scheduled task, desktop app etc." term limited, HA. Are these in the BVC files or downloadable apps? Running BVC5.3.1 Any tips on code jobbers or DIY's, walk me through it types, files to look at? Definitely HIGH on my priority list. THX </div></div></div>Most of the clients I work with that run applications to interface with 3rd party suppliers etc. are larger sites and have there own dedicated servers hosted at places like Resposio and Appliedi. To give you an idea of some processes I uploaded an image from the BV event log on outdooroutfitters.com 1. Main inventory of 3rd party fulfillment center stocked products are updated hourly. Also everytime the site hits a product detail page the inventory for that item is updated. 2. Orders placed for fulfillment (built into application) are queried for shipping information. Tracking info is recorded and customer is notified. 3. Product images, downloaded as a binary stream are updated for current products and new products on the website. All images come from the supplier and are re-sized as needed. Kman attached the following image(s):  OO.png (64kb) downloaded 73 time(s).You cannot view/download attachments. Try to login or register. |
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Rank: Member
Joined: 1/15/2008(UTC)
Posts: 58
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That's exactly the kind of thing I need, Some application or method to update the whole inventory.
These are options i have so far, but do not know how to implement it.
How-To: Import Download File into Excel:
Click Here to download "Importing Download File Into Excel" (pdf file)
FTP Download Information:
Please use the following information to connect to the FTP server. The readme.txt file lists the files and brief description of the contents of the download directory.
Fulfillment Only Inventory with Image Filenames (updated daily):
Download New Fulfillment Only Inventory (ASCII delimited text file)
Download New Zipped Fulfillment Only Inventory (ASCII file in Zipped format)
Download New Fulfillment Only Data Fields Descriptions (text file)
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Rank: Member
Joined: 11/25/2003(UTC)
Posts: 370
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There is no application or module to do this. Will have to be custom written code. |
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Rank: Member
Joined: 3/23/2012(UTC)
Posts: 5
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Where can you get access to the source code for the Import tool if you need to enhance its functionality?
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Rank: Member
Joined: 11/5/2003(UTC)
Posts: 1,786
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