Automatic upload of Easy Populate data?

[Ryk]

As one tends to get a bit of tunnel vision after 3 years of Zen Carting, I have no idea whether this sort of thing is even possible....

Receive excel file
convert excel file to fit EasyPopulate excel layout
ftp EP file to website
insert into ZC database

...all without human intervention.

Is this doable?

[kuroi]

I don't believe so. I believe that the requirement for automation would most likely be failed at every step and that the odds of finding a way to get past them all (without writing custom code) are inconsequential.

[Website Rob]

You would probably need to install the "Magic Wand" module but it is not yet available to the Public -- since it hasn't been created.

[Ryk]

Nice one Rob!

Thanks kuroi - you confirm my thoughts.

[martbost]

I am currently running an automated process with EZPopulate and OSCommerce. It is based on a Perl Script and a CRON job.

It should be no different on Zen Cart as the majority of it is externalized.

To summarize how this works:

I have a Perl Script obtain the updated CSV file (NO EXCEL) from my supplier. It then takes the resulting CSV file and converts to TAB's and then performs an HTTP call to the EZPopulate php file emulating the import process.

I have been running it for about 3 years now with no issues.

I will be more than happy to share it if someone is interested.

[kuroi]

Nice solution. I recant my earlier comments. in principle I see no reason why this wouldn't work equally well for Zen Cart. I'd certainly be interested in seeing the script. Have you considered bundling it up as a contribution.

[donothing]

As one tends to get a bit of tunnel vision after 3 years of Zen Carting, I have no idea whether this sort of thing is even possible....

Receive excel file
convert excel file to fit EasyPopulate excel layout
ftp EP file to website
insert into ZC database

...all without human intervention.

Is this doable?

I have a partial solution which I've not tested.

You can save an excel spreadsheet in CSV format and use, the Easy Populate CSV add on, available here:
http://www.zen-cart.com/index.php?ma...oducts_id=1240

Ftp the file to /tempEP (the default import directory).
Let's say the file is called import_me.csv

You might be able to automate the above with a batch script.

Then create a script to be called by cron every five minutes say.
The script must first authenticate itself.
see:
http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=114279

The script then sets the filename variable to import and runs the easypopulate code.

To authenticate we need to override init_admin_auth.php.
So copy

admin/includes/init_includes/init_admin_auth.php

to

admin/includes/init_includes/overrides/init_admin_auth.php

and add
"""

// to allow cron jobs set CRON_ADMIN_USER_ID
if ($_SERVER['REMOTE_ADDR'] == $_SERVER['SERVER_ADDR']) {
if (!isset($_SESSION['admin_id']) && defined('CRON_ADMIN_USER_ID') && CRON_ADMIN_USER_ID != '') {
$_SESSION['admin_id'] = CRON_ADMIN_USER_ID;
}
}

"""
to just after
"""

if (!defined('IS_ADMIN_FLAG')) {
die('Illegal Access');
}

"""

Then we write the script for cron.
Create a file /admin/cron1.php:
<?php

define('CRON_ADMIN_USER_ID', '999');
require ('includes/application_top.php');
$_POST['localfile'] = "import_me.csv";
require ('easypopulate.php');

?>

Then set up the cron job to call the script eg:

/usr/bin/lynx -accept_all_cookies -dump http://localhost/PathTo/admin/cron1.php

Please note I haven't thoroughly tested this.

[dropbop]

Hi donothing,

just wondering how you got on with your automation.

I am very interested in haveing something like this work on one of my sites. I have gone over the other suggestions but yours seems to be the best solution to my need so far.

If cant get it working, I am willing to chip in with others to pay someone to create something. lol Lazy way out! hehe

Happy New Year!

[hayesb2]

I am looking for a solution to this, it seems many of us are willing to pay for this to work...anybody???

[fireclouddesign]

Thank you to DoNothing! I've been looking for a way to import products into ZenCart through a CRON job without having to write something myself!

Using DoNothing's instructions, and the EasyPopulate module (free version), I just imported 12,000 products into my ZenCart from the command line without issue.

Now I can move forward with automating the command through cron.

Thanks again!