Easy Populate

[deemurphy]

Thank you for your help. In the mean time I will keep trying different things as well and see if I can get it to work. If I do I will respond here.

Thank you
LadyDee

[ALiepinieks]

likewise : )

[bdodd42]

I have a quick question. I am thinking about trying easy populate, I now use a inventory source to load my store for me, Does easy populate add the images and descriptions all in one upload, or do you have to add images and descriptions seperate?

Also where can I find instructions on using easy populate, as far as where you upload the easy populate.php file and things like that?

Bdodd42

[ALiepinieks]

instructions will come with the download, and irrespective of the version you get they are comprehensive from what i've seen. i've used 3 different versions, and none have handled images natively. it is possible to upload binary data to your database, or your server, however this is not something that i've seen handled well or with any degree of flexibility within easy populate itself.

other than this though i've found it to be extremely useful as it does all descriptions, categories, manufacturers, multi-level pricing, discounts, specials, features, new products etc.

re: images, one option here might be to use a standard naming convention. for many businesses, traditional or online, the product code is unique by definition. although i don't think zen-cart requires it to be, you could simply enforce this policy and use it to name your images. this facilitates at least some automation with your import file, however can become confusing if you don't upload files to match the databases filenames as zen-cart will fail-over to the standard "no picture" without warning you during the import.

i have done a substantial amount of work getting my version of easy populate to work in harmony with some local scripting however, that extract data i've already entered into my financial/stock management software, prepares the data for upload and fills in the blanks based on some logic i came up with to ensure everything still looks good. this allows me to enter and maintain over 2,000 products in my own system, run my business and maintain ALL product information at a few clicks of a button. the script throws warnings into a log file during the import procedure to notify the user of any inconsistencies, and while it took several weeks to get this working properly, it saves ooooooodles of time long-term, so i can vouch for the fact that it is not only do-able, but very desirable!

cheers
andrejs

[bdodd42]

Thank you for your input, I was trying to find ways to cut cost, I pay 50.00 a month for inventorysource to upload all of this for me, If I could save 600.00 a year that would be great:)

bdodd42