United Stationers on Zen question

[dara108]

Hi guys,

i am looking for some advice, if anyone has implemented United Stationers database with Zen-cart before, is it possible? would it work?

If you could please point me in a right direction, or if you have ever done it - let me know please.

Thanks

[schoolboy]

Do you mean their database of products?

[dara108]

well yes, but mostly the actual conversion of the database into Zen, would Zen have all the needed functionality to accomodate the features?

do you have any experience with this?
anyone else?

[schoolboy]

Looking at the United Stationers website, I see that they have systems that "integrate" your local "copy" of their database, with their "backend".

This will enable you to "communicate" between their main database, and the copy of the data on your local machine.

How this works is a matter for you to discuss with United Stationers.

However, as their product data is in a database, it is quite possible to EXPORT this as a CSV file I'm sure - enabling you to put it into a spreadsheet - such as MS Excel.

Once it is in a spreadhseet, it's probably possible to configure the spreadsheet to be compatible with EASY POPULATE formats - in which case it can be imported into Zencart.

(There would be no direct link however, between United Stationers data, and your ZC data. Additions and alterations would need to be done manually).

Creating a direct link - thereby enabling realtime integration between their database and your ZC database is probably possible, but would cost a fortune to build the code and set the servers to accommodate it.

[dara108]

well, i was not able to find the system that would do that, unfortunately.

i am looking to integrate their database (which i have) with zen cart (or similar) system, i have looked at the database in access, and made a list of fields in excel, its a huge database with no documentation that i was able to find. i dont need it to update, just need to convert.

so if anyone can assist me here, with very good knowledge of Zen database structure i would appreciate it.
or if you can point into a right direction, if anybody has done it before.

[dara108]

so, looks like nobody dealt with this before.

i am looking for someone to help me out on this for a compensation, i need a person who knows very well how zencart database is structured.
send me a private message, thanks.

[schoolboy]

As I said in an earlier post, if you get the data into a spreadsheet, you can use Easy Populate to import it into your zenstore.

Easy Populate is available at Langer's Modhole www.modhole.com and you will need the 1.2.5.4 version if you are using Zencart 1.3.8.

There is an ADVANCED commercial version there too.

I have written a WIKI item on Easy Populate:

http://www.zen-cart.com/wiki/index.php/Easy_Populate