EasyPopulate 4.0 Support Thread

[Bikerstuff]

THANKS!

I may not be able to work on my test store for a couple days, but I will try that soon as I can!

[propster]

Hi, I am using this EP4 mod ok but would like to add an extra column in the detailed stock by attributes data csv file down load.This would allow me to easily cross reference the output to a stock quantity file supplied by a manufacturer using their stock codes which are slightly different to the model numbers I use on my site. I would like a new column showing the manufacturers product code. This would be tied to the stock i.d. for each product attribute. I am currently manually creating the table by adding the manufacturers code but this is a long process and I would like to automate this if possible.

[mc12345678]

Hi, I am using this EP4 mod ok but would like to add an extra column in the detailed stock by attributes data csv file down load.This would allow me to easily cross reference the output to a stock quantity file supplied by a manufacturer using their stock codes which are slightly different to the model numbers I use on my site. I would like a new column showing the manufacturers product code. This would be tied to the stock i.d. for each product attribute. I am currently manually creating the table by adding the manufacturers code but this is a long process and I would like to automate this if possible.

Sort of have lots of questions related to this query; however,am I correct in assuming that if the currently preffered SBA (that has an additional field) was being used then the issue would be resolved?

That would allow storing the identifier that is described so that updates would be easier, but it would not resolve new items per se as the data would not be present to export until it was imported at least once. That also assumes that the additional field added by that version of SBA isn't used for other purposes of SBA. (Haven't identified how that field is used yet, just know that it exists.)

Otherwise the question would be how would one create the data of that field on export and what if anything is stored back into the database associated with that field.

Otherwise some custom programming to do all that would be needed. But first clarification would help from start to "finish".

[propster]

Sort of have lots of questions related to this query; however,am I correct in assuming that if the currently preffered SBA (that has an additional field) was being used then the issue would be resolved?

That would allow storing the identifier that is described so that updates would be easier, but it would not resolve new items per se as the data would not be present to export until it was imported at least once. That also assumes that the additional field added by that version of SBA isn't used for other purposes of SBA. (Haven't identified how that field is used yet, just know that it exists.)

Otherwise the question would be how would one create the data of that field on export and what if anything is stored back into the database associated with that field.

Otherwise some custom programming to do all that would be needed. But first clarification would help from start to "finish".

Yes the addition of an extra field would be a great help. I am trying to update quantities from a supplied csv file, but the fields in the supplied file do not match the Detailed Stock By Attribute Data file exported by EP4. At the moment I am using a separate look up file to cross reference the required info then reimporting the generated output file. To do this I have to manually add a column to the Detailed Stock by attribute data file that I download to give the manufacturers stock code. This is used in the look up table to find the stock quantities. Once the stock quantity is updated in the look up table I remove the added column and upload the file to update stock quantities in my store.
I realise I would have to input the information for all existing products but for any new products it would just be added at the same time as all the new product information.

[triplex]

Can anyone point me in the right direction please? I've trawled the support thread and can't find the answer.

I need to setup a field/column header so I can enter an International Article Number (EAN) next to the products - there are around 4000 products in my site.

I have managed to match up most of the csv fields and cut and pasted them in, but how do I create the extrafields/header columns for the other information for each product?

Thanks

Robert

[mc12345678]

Can anyone point me in the right direction please? I've trawled the support thread and can't find the answer.

I need to setup a field/column header so I can enter an International Article Number (EAN) next to the products - there are around 4000 products in my site.

I have managed to match up most of the csv fields and cut and pasted them in, but how do I create the extrafields/header columns for the other information for each product?

Thanks

Robert

Start a little further back on the issue. Does the field exist in your store's database? Are you having to create it now in order to hold this data you are wanting to capture? There are a few plugins that will create extra fields associated with each product that can then be exported/imported by EP4. EP4 handles existing tables and the data in them.

If the field(s) exist in your database, then you may be able to use the configuration area on the admin panel to add the additional field(s) as part of the export.

Adding fields though to the database isn't typically a one place add type situation, there are several files involved, not to say it's difficult, but need to consider all methods of use and where the field(s) need to be included.

[stiggybaby]

I see that the EP4 download link is at the beginning of this thread, and there is a different easy populate plugin download in the plugins area.

Is there anything that explains the difference between these 2 EP plugins? Or which is better, for example, for adding custom fields, or product files with over 5000 products, etc.?

[triplex]

Start a little further back on the issue. Does the field exist in your store's database? Are you having to create it now in order to hold this data you are wanting to capture? There are a few plugins that will create extra fields associated with each product that can then be exported/imported by EP4. EP4 handles existing tables and the data in them.

If the field(s) exist in your database, then you may be able to use the configuration area on the admin panel to add the additional field(s) as part of the export.

Adding fields though to the database isn't typically a one place add type situation, there are several files involved, not to say it's difficult, but need to consider all methods of use and where the field(s) need to be included.

Thanks. What I am trying to do is import a field from a csv from my product supplier, that presently doesn't match any of the the existing fields provided in the EP4 files. Therefore, I (think I) need to create a field in a header/column of a csv that I can copy and paste in 4000 EAN entries and they will show next to the product details on the website when imported.

I can't find any defined advice about this and having looked around for about 10 hours today, I am hoping someone can give me a clue.

I know very little about SQL/databases etc so if anyone knows a dummies guide anywhere to using EP4 with Zencart that tells you how to create new csv's for data supplied from a product supplier that can be imported into EP4 and will show in the right place when a customer looks at a product, I would appreciate some help!

As I said originally, half of the fields show because I can match them up with the existing EP4 provided csv's.

How do I get the rest of the info to show in zencart if there are not comparative fields to paste the information into?

Thanks

Robert

[mc12345678]

I see that the EP4 download link is at the beginning of this thread, and there is a different easy populate plugin download in the plugins area.

Is there anything that explains the difference between these 2 EP plugins? Or which is better, for example, for adding custom fields, or product files with over 5000 products, etc.?

I haven't tried any other EP program, at least mostly because this one I found to have all of the attributes/aspects needed, and at the time I started using it I think it was the only one that was compatible with zC1.5.x.

I have seen a different EP program in operation on a 1.5.1 site, but if anything what I saw was that there were less options/features/information. This version does allow splitting files to minimize the workload on the system during import (large number of records), there are some customization options to pull out fields that were not considered necessary (or perhaps are new) when developing the central code. There are also some aspects of data conversion that are incorporated that I personally haven't really focused on, but appear useful for the right purpose.

Basically the history as I understand it is that once there was EP, then there were children all wanting to offer some new functionality or something. Even now I have started what is called a fork off of this version to add some functionality. I need to properly request that the functionality be incorporated, but in no way do I think that the changes I've made have resulted in a "new" version of the program. Anyways, this version hasn't been properly packaged yet for submission, and the latest author hasbeen working on a type of rewrite for it (as well as developing/finishing some instructions). That said, a version I have seen includes an interface with froogle. That's not incorporated in this version, but probably could be added in with little difficulty (another thing that is ideal about this particular plugin, the organization allows relatively easy modification.)

But those are just my thoughts and experience. I think this version has been rewritten to bring control more into the store owner's hands which can be good (and bad ).

[mc12345678]

Thanks. What I am trying to do is import a field from a csv from my product supplier, that presently doesn't match any of the the existing fields provided in the EP4 files. Therefore, I (think I) need to create a field in a header/column of a csv that I can copy and paste in 4000 EAN entries and they will show next to the product details on the website when imported.

I can't find any defined advice about this and having looked around for about 10 hours today, I am hoping someone can give me a clue.

I know very little about SQL/databases etc so if anyone knows a dummies guide anywhere to using EP4 with Zencart that tells you how to create new csv's for data supplied from a product supplier that can be imported into EP4 and will show in the right place when a customer looks at a product, I would appreciate some help!

As I said originally, half of the fields show because I can match them up with the existing EP4 provided csv's.

How do I get the rest of the info to show in zencart if there are not comparative fields to paste the information into?

Thanks

Robert

So, first a product field needs to exist to receive the data associated with your content. One solution is to use a plugin that Numinix created. I can't say that I know all the ins and outs of it's capabilities, but hopefully. The documentation would lead to indicating that the new fields are added to the products table. See: http://www.zen-cart.com/downloads.php?do=file&id=1495

Then once the field(s) are known to exist and you know. The field name(s), on the configuration menu for EP4 there is a location to fill in additional fields for export. Simply type in the name of the field(s) separated by a comma if more than one. An example would be product_status. This will result in the file containing v_product_status. Then on import the same field name would be necessary (v_product_status) and it should be imported to the database. The important part on this end is that the data type matches what you want it to contain(text, numbers, etc...y

As for displaying the information, that would require modifications to your template files as applicable to show the desired field, with possibly a change to other files to retrieve the data.

Technically this all is custom coding, and really should be taken to a new thread. There is also information in the FAQ about adding fields to a table and product types, etc. There may also be a product type out there that will hold the type of information you want, but then EP may need some customization to obtain and import that new data.

Hope that helps a little, just realize that it is a large change to the database and default functionality and not a specific EP4 issue.