Easy Populate import

[dims]

Hello.
Is there any way to adapt inner columns to connect to txt files I'm getting from 3 different manufactures? If there is no way of doing so, maybe there is some software that allows it? All 3 manufactures have different formats of txt files, most of them send the updates every day. I can't believe all txt have to be edited manually each time I get an update to products' list. Please, advice. Thank you in advance!
Easy Populate 4 beta
Zen Cart 1.5

[schoolboy]

Data import is governed by the structure of the table(s) in the database - not the spreadsheet.

The database has set structure and field-name convention that is woven into the overall architecture of the platform. This cannot be altered.

ANY import of data must then compile the data (to be imported) to a format that is "understood" by the database.

It is possible to write XML parsers that arrange the data for you, but the programming will have to take into account ALL the formats that your suppliers send to you.

[dims]

Do I understand right that the small eStores don't usually have several manufactures and don't update their products every day, since it's a huge amount of work? I wonder if the manufactures sometimes put their txt according to some platform, or they just use their inner system not caring about how this will be put using different eStores?

[schoolboy]

We built a site for a guy in Spain 3 or 4 years ago, who had to take feeds from several suppliers. These were sent FTP by the suppliers to a special directory on the server. We hired a guy in Ireland to write a comprehensive module that took in these feeds, manipulated them, and re-wrote the data to an Easy-populate-compatible csv file. A CRON was set to run the EP update every day.

Unfortunately, I cannot find his contact details, but I do remember that the mod cost about £2000.

The mod will not work for you, because your feeds are probably very different. Besides, I cannot give you access to it because it is a proprietary piece of software, ownd by the client.

So it is possible to do this. You need to look for a coder who has the skills to write it.

[dims]

Thanks for clearing the thing out. I'll try to do it by myself. Don't want to invest money now, since it's not the business that gives me much of income to cover those costs. The domain and website was bought couple of years ago and it was working great with OpenCart 1.4, but for several reasons I decided to move to another platform starting with a scratch. Thanks for the help again!