ECommerce

Import is probably one of the most complicated procedures of osCommerce e-commerce platform. It requires some skills to execute product import. There are a few choices: you can import all your products by hand (at time it may be up to few hundreds), use some custom script, plugin or another contribution. The matter is none of the above mentioned ways does not guarantee smooth and accurate import of your products.

I have managed to find an software which makes product import more simple than all the rest. It's called Store Manager for osCommerce. This software makes possible import of products to .csv file and its export back to osCommerce.

It requires some skills to execute product import. But if you thoroughly follow the instructions of Import Wizard most likely it will be a success. Import is pretty complicated procedure and it can be destructive if performed inappropriately. Thus, you have to create database backup before osCommerce products import especially if it's the first time you're doing it.

Hence, here's what you need to do to import the products successfully:

1. Get the .csv file ready
First of all prepare a .csv file for Import. Make sure it contains all necessary fields and all data you need.

2. Choose "Import" in the Import/Export Wizard
Choose "Import" from the alternatives available in the wizard and continue to the next step

3. Enter the .csv file you need to import
You can either enter the .csv file or use browse button to select one. Also you can Save Import Settings or load one of earlier used.

4. Source file preview
It exhibits a part of .csv file selected for import. Pay attention to field delimiters and quote characters, if some are used.

5. Choose fields delimiter and quote character
Please note that if you specify incorrect values, import may not work.

6. Base Formats and separators
Enter the date & time formats and separators as they are set in your .csv file. They can be set by default.

7. Import options
These settings may affect import results. You need to: select import method, how the products that are not listed in the source file should be handled, check whether log file should be created and save import configuration.

8. Link columns from .csv file to appropriate database fields
Check the box if the first of .csv file has not values but field names. Choose way of identification - recommended Product ID + Product Name. Assign .csv column to database field: select a field at the "Database Fields" and then click a column at the .csv column. You can use "Auto set..." option to set correspondence automatically for all fields. This option will work only if .csv column name is the same as database field name.

9. Preview import data
On Import Preview page you can view how .csv file was processed using import settings, which you set at previous steps. Check whether all columns that you want to be imported are filled with data: some of them may be blank. Then click "Import" to start product import.

10. Import completed
The last step of Import Products Wizard will show the errors which took place during import process, if there were some.

Choosing the best way for secure product import to http://www.oscommerce-manager.com/ is the essential condition. You have to do everything possible to avoid data loss and possible data entry errors. It is really not as complex as it seems. All you have to do is precisely pay attention to the details as you continue to each step. This way you can be positive that your osCommerce product import will be successful and correct.

About the author

Marketing assistant of Ukrainian company MagneticOne, which develops modules and store managers for osCommerce, CRE Loaded, X-Cart and Zen Cart stores.

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