Overview
The Custom Suppliers Import Wizard allows you to import custom suppliers' product data or price files that are currently not 1WS 1WS-supported suppliers using the same 3 easy steps (Upload / Import File, Basic / Advanced Mapping, and Import Status).
NOTE: Custom Suppliers must first be set up in Admin > Suppliers > Custom Suppliers before the Supplier Product Import can be performed.
Custom Supplier Product Import Requirements
Ensure the Custom Supplier has been created in Admin > Suppliers > Custom Suppliers.
When a given mfr and mfr part # can be matched up with a Supported Product:
- The supplier will be added as a custom supplier
- The custom supplier product description will only be displayed in the supplier section of the product page and document.
- All other data in that record will be discarded, and ChannelOnline will use the existing Product Data sheet for product description and detailed information.
When the Mfr/Mfr part # does not match a ChannelOnline Support Product:
- The record will be added to the Error Log and Failed Records file to be used in the Custom Item Import Wizard.
TIP: Use the Custom Item Import to create products that do not exist as a supported product.
Upload / Import File
To begin importing custom suppliers:
- Click on the Custom Supplier Import Wizard link under the Import section.
- Select the appropriate option to specify the import file type: .txt, .tsv, .csv, or .xls.
- Click on Browse to locate the import file that is stored locally on your computer.
- Click on Next to continue to the next section, Field Mapping / Import.
Field Mapping / Import
The Field Mapping / Import screen will allow you to map the fields that are present in your import file to the existing fields in ChannelOnline.
- If this is a first-time import, then [ New Profile ] will be selected by default for the profile. Otherwise, choose a previously saved profile that contains previous mapping information.
- Choose whether the import should clear out ALL existing custom suppliers’ products or if the import should update and add the custom suppliers’ products to the database.
- If choosing an existing import profile name, it should automatically map the field names (provided they have not changed in the import file). If this is a new import, fields will need to be manually mapped.
To continue mapping new or additional fields found in the target import file to ChannelOnline’s available fields, perform the following:
- First, locate an unmapped field in the ChannelOnline Fields column. For example, “Manufacturer Name”, and click on the field to select it.
- Locate the appropriate field from your Import file under the Import Fields column on the left.
- Click on the “Map to ChannelOnline >>” button to tag the fields as being mapped. If you make a mistake, you can remove the mapping by selecting the field and clicking the “Remove” button.
- Continue this process until all fields have been mapped to ChannelOnline fields.
- If this is a new import and you wish to save the field mappings for future use, select Yes and provide a profile name.
Click on Start Import to begin the import process.
Import Status & Errors
The Import Status screen will display a status bar and refresh the page every 1-2 seconds to provide the progress. Successful imports require anywhere from 12-24 hours for new custom supplier products to appear within ChannelOnline’s search results due to the import process and indexing.
If the import fails a “records rejected” error will appear along with the number of records (lines) that did not import.
- Click on the “Show Error Log” button to see a list of records and the reason it failed to import. Example: “Record 1, Invalid Category / Sub-category”.
- Make corrections to your file if needed, and re-run the Import.
Sample Import File: Supplier Product Import
Fields: Supplier Part Number, Manufacturer Part Number, Manufacturer Name, Supplier Cost, Supplier Description, Supplier Inventory, Supplier MSRP, Supplier Weight, Supplier Order Unit
