Sizing, Colors & Pricing for Over 40,000 items

[learning2]

I was able to update data in the Manufacture tables and Categories, but I am not getting the layout for products along with the number of choices I have for Sizes.

I have over 40,000 products and I will using my Cost to create Retail Pricing by tiers based on quantity and type of Client. I think I will create another Table Entry for my Cost and 3 categories for pricing. But if I can figure out my current issue with Sizing I think I will be able to get that part.

I am also trying to keep in mind, that in the future, one of my wholesalers said he could up-date my data for his product on a daily basis. So I need to keep that in mind, perhaps keep his data in another data base and link or import it to Zen Cart's database...? (I am teaching myself...)

At this point I have 3 specific attributes for size, for each product, from the wholesaler's database table (cvs format). They are:

(1) Size Index (Options are 1 to 5 -mft sorting system for each item)
(2) Available Sizes (74 Items with Text Description of sizes available for each specific item)
(3) Size - 169 Options (S, M, XL, 10XL, OSFA, etc) which I then broke into 9 Groups (Regular, Ladies, Hats, etc)

Each product has fields for each of these items, along with 4 images and lots more (28 fields total for each item).

I did enter one product which would have at least one of each of these items. My hope is to upload all my products and be able to add Attributes which I would pre-load into the database.

However, if you take a look at the attached image of my current Admin page, it would be sloppy viewing and tedious selection of each attribute.

I understand I am still learning the options of Attributes and Products (and still haven't touched Pricing - and learning MySQL and MyPHPAdmin too!), perhaps someone can point me in the right direction?

A current view of the '50/50 T-Shirt' under 'Apparel' 'can be seen, at this time, at:

store dot associate apparel world dot com /catalog/apparel-c-2.html

[fairestcape]

Wow, with 40,000 products, whatever system you use, this is going to be a lot of work.

I agree that the best way to upload all this data is via SQL queries to the database, but there may be an easier way:-

I use the STANDARD (free version) of Easy Populate (available in the free add-ons section of this site - link above).

EasyPopulate takes a tab-delimited file of product data, and inserts it into the database in a matter of minutes.

You create your tab-delimited file firstly as a spreadsheet - either in MS Excel, or the OpenOffice equivalent.

Having this data in a spreadsheet allows for far more rapid and organised management.

Now, EasyPopulate ADVANCED (a commercial version, available at www.modhole.com), is capable of inserting ATTRIBUTE VALUES as well as basic product data.

If your supplier provides a feed of product data, this should be relatively easy to re-structure so that its format is compatible with EasyPopulate - even though it will be largely a manual task. Again, using the various functions in MS-Excel, you can perform such tasks quite quickly.

In my opinion, EasyPopulate advanced is the one you need.

[learning2]

Yes, I loaded Easy Populate but it seems very limited on the Attributes. Here is what I get on the Complete results with their add-on:

v_products_model v_products_image v_products_name_1 v_products_description_1 v_products_url_1 v_specials_price v_specials_date_avail v_specials_expires_date v_products_price v_products_weight v_date_avail v_date_added v_products_quantity v_manufacturers_name v_tax_class_title v_status

Not enough information about Foreign Keys and relations. I've been looking at the data schemes via MySQL Tools and Workbench (new to me too!)...lots of Relations. Overwhelming to me...

Of course, this is my business and no one is paying me, and of course, I have no money (I'll stay on topic...)...so I will have to teach myself.

I'm thinking of creating a new Table for the Wholesaler and creating Sub-Tables which Insert into Zen Cart's default Tables...yikes!

[learning2]

Perhaps there is still someone out there that can help...

I've been looking into add ons and attempted to use JuxiZoza's method but I think I've added on additional columns with add-ons.

I've attached a pdf with a few columns of data to demonstrate how my wholesaler supplies data to me.

This is a couple of the 1st rows:

UNIQUE_KEY	PRODUCT_TITLE	PRODUCT_DESCRIPTION	STYLE#	AVAILABLE_SIZES	BRAND_LOGO_IMAGE	THUMBNAIL_IMAGE	COLOR_SWATCH_IMAGE	PRODUCT_IMAGE	SPEC_SHEET	PRICE_TEXT	SUGGESTED_PRICE	CATEGORY_NAME	SUBCATEGORY_NAME	COLOR_NAME	COLOR_SQUARE_IMAGE	COLOR_PRODUCT_IMAGE	COLOR_PRODUCT_IMAGE_THUMBNAIL	SIZE	QTY	PIECE_WEIGHT	PIECE_PRICE	DOZENS_PRICE	CASE_PRICE	PRICE_GROUP	CASE_SIZE	INVENTORY_KEY	SIZE_INDEX	SANMAR_MAINFRAME_COLOR	MILL
368351	    Sport-Tek® - Colorblock Raglan Jersey.  T200	Your first pick for the team! Our classic jersey knit is combed for a softness you'll appreciate on and off the field. Also available in youth sizes so the whole group can get this great look. |   5.8-ounce, 100% ring spun combed cotton    Colorblock sleeves and rib knit neck    3/4 raglan sleeves   	T200	Adult sizes: XS-6XL	sporttekheader.jpg	T200TN.jpg	T200sw.jpg	T200.jpg	T200uio.pdf	Price applies to sizes XS-XL	8.98	Activewear	Baseball Jerseys	Carolina Blue/Navy	port_carolinablue.gif	T200_CrlnBlNvy_Flat_Front_FS08.jpg	T200_CrlnBlNvy_Flat_Front_FS08TN.jpg	2XL	56	0.6875	7.49	6.49	5.49	CX	36	36835	1	CarolinaBlu/Ny	Sport-Tek
368362	    Sport-Tek® - Colorblock Raglan Jersey.  T200	Your first pick for the team! Our classic jersey knit is combed for a softness you'll appreciate on and off the field. Also available in youth sizes so the whole group can get this great look. |   5.8-ounce, 100% ring spun combed cotton    Colorblock sleeves and rib knit neck    3/4 raglan sleeves   	T200	Adult sizes: XS-6XL	sporttekheader.jpg	T200TN.jpg	T200sw.jpg	T200.jpg	T200uio.pdf	Price applies to sizes XS-XL	8.98	Activewear	Baseball Jerseys	Carolina Blue/Navy	port_carolinablue.gif	T200_CrlnBlNvy_Flat_Front_FS08.jpg	T200_CrlnBlNvy_Flat_Front_FS08TN.jpg	3XL	37	0.75	9.49	8.49	7.49	CT	12	36836	2	CarolinaBlu/Ny	Sport-Tek
368373	    Sport-Tek® - Colorblock Raglan Jersey.  T200	Your first pick for the team! Our classic jersey knit is combed for a softness you'll appreciate on and off the field. Also available in youth sizes so the whole group can get this great look. |   5.8-ounce, 100% ring spun combed cotton    Colorblock sleeves and rib knit neck    3/4 raglan sleeves   	T200	Adult sizes: XS-6XL	sporttekheader.jpg	T200TN.jpg	T200sw.jpg	T200.jpg	T200uio.pdf	Price applies to sizes XS-XL	8.98	Activewear	Baseball Jerseys	Carolina Blue/Navy	port_carolinablue.gif	T200_CrlnBlNvy_Flat_Front_FS08.jpg	T200_CrlnBlNvy_Flat_Front_FS08TN.jpg	4XL	199	0.8125	10.49	9.49	8.49	CQ	12	36837	3	CarolinaBlu/Ny	Sport-Tek
368384	    Sport-Tek® - Colorblock Raglan Jersey.  T200	Your first pick for the team! Our classic jersey knit is combed for a softness you'll appreciate on and off the field. Also available in youth sizes so the whole group can get this great look. |   5.8-ounce, 100% ring spun combed cotton    Colorblock sleeves and rib knit neck    3/4 raglan sleeves   	T200	Adult sizes: XS-6XL	sporttekheader.jpg	T200TN.jpg	T200sw.jpg	T200.jpg	T200uio.pdf	Price applies to sizes XS-XL	8.98	Activewear	Baseball Jerseys	Carolina Blue/Navy	port_carolinablue.gif	T200_CrlnBlNvy_Flat_Front_FS08.jpg	T200_CrlnBlNvy_Flat_Front_FS08TN.jpg	5XL	185	0.875	12.49	11.49	10.49	C5	12	36838	4	CarolinaBlu/Ny	Sport-Tek

I am interested in learning how to integrate my data with Zen's current database.

I've attached a image of the web site I have now with the supplier which demonstrates how they use their database to display the Product and then go to a different page to select size, color and quantity. Is it possible to integrate my database to do this?

Can anyone help?

[fairestcape]

Yes, I loaded Easy Populate but it seems very limited on the Attributes. Here is what I get on the Complete results with their add-on:

v_products_model v_products_image v_products_name_1 v_products_description_1 v_products_url_1 v_specials_price v_specials_date_avail v_specials_expires_date v_products_price v_products_weight v_date_avail v_date_added v_products_quantity v_manufacturers_name v_tax_class_title v_status

In your Admin Easypopulate control screen,you will see these links:

Download Complete tab-delimited .txt file to edit (Attributes Not Included)
Download Model/Price/Qty tab-delimited .txt file to edit
Download Model/Category tab-delimited .txt file to edit
Download Froogle tab-delimited .txt file
Download Model/Attributes tab-delimited .txt file

Click the LAST one:

Download Model/Attributes tab-delimited .txt file

to see the format for attributes upload. I know it's restricted on the free version of EP. The Advanced version, I believe, is much more comprehensive.

[learning2]

I'm still working on this...I've optimized my database/products in Excel. Now I found I have 48 unique families of sizing, each of these having options (one with 78 choices).

I created 2 different sizes groups so far, one with its options. This is what I have when exporting with Easy Populate:

v_products_model	v_attribute_options_id_1	v_attribute_options_name_1_1	v_attribute_values_id_1_1	v_attribute_values_price_1_1	v_attribute_values_name_1_1_1	v_attribute_values_id_1_2	v_attribute_values_price_1_2	v_attribute_values_name_1_2_1	v_attribute_values_id_1_3	v_attribute_values_price_1_3	v_attribute_values_name_1_3_1	v_attribute_options_id_2	v_attribute_options_name_2_1	v_attribute_values_id_2_1	v_attribute_values_price_2_1	v_attribute_values_name_2_1_1	v_attribute_values_id_2_2	v_attribute_values_price_2_2	v_attribute_values_name_2_2_1	v_attribute_values_id_2_3	v_attribute_values_price_2_3	v_attribute_values_name_2_3_1	v_attribute_values_id_2_4	v_attribute_values_price_2_4	v_attribute_values_name_2_4_1	v_attribute_options_id_3	v_attribute_options_name_3_1	v_attribute_values_id_3_1	v_attribute_values_price_3_1	v_attribute_values_name_3_1_1	v_attribute_options_id_4	v_attribute_options_name_4_1	v_attribute_values_id_4_1	v_attribute_values_price_4_1	v_attribute_values_name_4_1_1	v_attribute_values_id_4_2	v_attribute_values_price_4_2	v_attribute_values_name_4_2_1	v_attribute_values_id_4_3	v_attribute_values_price_4_3	v_attribute_values_name_4_3_1	v_attribute_options_id_5	v_attribute_options_name_5_1	v_attribute_values_id_5_1	v_attribute_values_price_5_1	v_attribute_values_name_5_1_1	v_attribute_values_id_5_2	v_attribute_values_price_5_2	v_attribute_values_name_5_2_1	v_attribute_values_id_5_3	v_attribute_values_price_5_3	v_attribute_values_name_5_3_1	v_attribute_values_id_5_4	v_attribute_values_price_5_4	v_attribute_values_name_5_4_1	v_attribute_values_id_5_5	v_attribute_values_price_5_5	v_attribute_values_name_5_5_1	v_attribute_values_id_5_6	v_attribute_values_price_5_6	v_attribute_values_name_5_6_1	v_attribute_values_id_5_7	v_attribute_values_price_5_7	v_attribute_values_name_5_7_1	v_attribute_values_id_5_8	v_attribute_values_price_5_8	v_attribute_values_name_5_8_1	v_attribute_values_id_5_9	v_attribute_values_price_5_9	v_attribute_values_name_5_9_1	v_attribute_options_id_6	v_attribute_options_name_6_1	EOREOR
AAW-29M	8	Color	32	0	Red	33	0	Green	34	0	Yellow	9	Size	35	0	S	36	0	M	37	0	L	38	0	XL	10	Quantity	0	0	TEXT	11	Size 2	39	0	S	40	0	M	41	0	L	12	Adult Sizes: (Reg) S-6XL	42		S Reg	43		M Reg	44		L Reg	45		XL Reg	46		2XLR	47		3XLR	48		4XLR	49		5XLR	50		6XLR	13	Adult Sizes: (Reg) S-6XL, (Long)	EOREOR
AAW-001	8	Color	32	0	Red	33	0	Green	34	0	Yellow	9	Size	35	0	S	36	0	M	37	0	L	38	0	XL	10	Quantity	0	0	TEXT	11	Size 2	39		S	40		M	41		L	12	Adult Sizes: (Reg) S-6XL	42		S Reg	43		M Reg	44		L Reg	45		XL Reg	46		2XLR	47		3XLR	48		4XLR	49		5XLR	50		6XLR	13	Adult Sizes: (Reg) S-6XL, (Long)	EOREOR

I am having a hard time visualizing the results, I feel totalling lost looking at the txt/cvs...The results above include some of this data:

available_sizes_id	AVAILABLE_SIZES																		
1	Adult Sizes: (Reg) S-6XL	S Reg	M Reg	L Reg	XL Reg	2XLR	3XLR	4XLR	5XLR	6XLR									
2	Adult Sizes: (Reg) S-6XL, (Long) M-3XL	S Reg	M Reg	L Reg	XL Reg	2XLR	3XLR	4XLR	5XLR	6XLR	S Long	M Long	L Long	XL Long	2XLL	3XLL	4XLL	5XLL	6XLL

I would like to import my sizes with their options directly into the database, but I can't figure out where the data is stored. I performed a search of my database via phpMyAdmin for some of my terms, e.g., Adult Sizes, and there were no results.

If there is no table/column or rows for this data, can I create these options (such as a new table or new configuration option) somewhere and then call them? Or, something else?

I am still interested in creating an order page like the one I have now. Display all the colors on the left and along the top size choices with prices for each selection.

[sirryche]

In your Admin Easypopulate control screen,you will see these links:

Download Complete tab-delimited .txt file to edit (Attributes Not Included)
Download Model/Price/Qty tab-delimited .txt file to edit
Download Model/Category tab-delimited .txt file to edit
Download Froogle tab-delimited .txt file
Download Model/Attributes tab-delimited .txt file

Click the LAST one:

Download Model/Attributes tab-delimited .txt file

to see the format for attributes upload. I know it's restricted on the free version of EP. The Advanced version, I believe, is much more comprehensive.

i have ep advance 3.0 and as for evrything it works nice but locks up when downloading a large attributs files. this is a known issue that was to be in the works but there has been no support for almost a year. my database is around 3000-4500 pieces but it wont load attributs correctlly