20,000 products - linking to external file

[Redspan]

Hi,

Have I missed the obvious here? I just want to clarify the process with regard to keeping a catalogue of 20,00+ products up to date.

1. Wholesaler supplies Actinic ready .csv file on daily basis
2. We add a few additional fields
3. Document is saved ready for import
4. Document is imported and catalogue is created

In the settings, stock control is enabled, and linking to this external file is enabled.

5. Wholesaler's daily file is downloaded and edited again
6. This file is then saved over the existing file

A) Will Actinic (Business 6.1.4) update the stock situation automatically or is an upload needed on a daily basis?
B) If an upload is required, what form should it take bearing in mind the objective is to make this as efficient as possible as it will have to be done every day?

Many thanks,
Ben

[Jan]

Hello Ben,

You will have to upload to your site to change the online stock levels, you can use the 'update' option to make the upload as quick as possible. If you wanted to do this overnight or leave it unattended then you could use our Automation products to do this. If you have already trialled the automation products but wish to do so again now then we can send you a new trial license.

Regards,

[Redspan]

Thanks Jan. I was afraid that that was the case. I uploaded yesterday but it took several hours and timed out at least twice so a manual or an automatic upload will need intervention due the problems covered in this thread: "Upload fails and Actinic hangs".

I won't be attempting a daily upload of such magnitude until we have a solution to this FTP problem.

Regards,
Ben

[Jan]

It is possible to generate the required files on your PC and then upload them to the website using your own FTP program - this might help while you are waiting for a solution - use Advanced/Generate Scripts and Advanced/Generate Website to do this, instructions are given on how to upload.

Many thanks,

[pinbrook]

we have been told that the new upload facility is a couple of weeks away....ie 6.1.5

[Redspan]

I look forward to the patch. In the meantime, if I simply import an .csv file update to the full range or products, and then carry out the manual script and site generation, do I need to upload the scripts each time, or can I just upload the HTML pages that have changed?

Regards,
Ben

[cdicken]

One thing that is worth trying are the instructions in the Advanced User Guide on 'Uploading Without FTP Access'. This will allow you to manually upload the scripts, and then uplod the rest of the pages via HTTP rather than FTP.