Automatic stock sync
If stock levels for your products are controlled or available on an external source (e.g. a file hosted externally) you can use the stock sync app to automatically sync the stock levels for your products from the external source without you needing to do anything.
You can also use the app to perform 'one off' stock syncs by uploading a CSV file and confirming which headings correspond to the 'SKU' and 'Quantity'. Therefore, this app will be useful to you if you cannot use the normal stock import system.
To install the app select INSTALL THIS APP.
from the menu. Find and select the 'Stock Sync’ app and selectOnce you've installed the app you'll be able to access the configuration page by selecting
• Setting up an external HTTP source
• Setting up an external FTP source
• Uploading a stock file
• Processing time
The system only works with CSV (comma separated values) files. It does not work with Excel spreadsheets or database files.
Setting up an external HTTP source
If you're configuring an automatic sync from a file that is available at a URL open the 'Add A New HTTP Source' section:
Enter the URL where the file is located in the Stock File URL field.
The external source spreadsheet should have two column headings (it can contain other data), one for the SKU code and one for the stock quantity. You must ensure that the URL entered provides the app with access to the CSV format of the file.
Enter the column heading text on the file that relates to the SKU code into the SKU Heading field.
Enter the column heading text on the file that relates to the stock quantity into the Quantity Heading field.
Finally, to enable the app make sure the Enable The Download/Update tick box is ticked.
Once you've finished configuring the source select add this source.
The app will start running immediately.
Setting up an external FTP source
If you're configuring an automatic sync from a file that is available on a server that can be connected to via FTP open the 'Add A New FTP Source' section:
Enter the server into the Host Name field.
Enter the port number of the server into the Port field. (The default for FTP is 21.)
Next, enter the Username and Password that is used to connect to the server.
In the Path To CSV File field you should enter the full path to the file on the server, including the file name and file extension (which must be CSV).
The external source spreadsheet should have two column headings (it can contain other data), one for the SKU code and one for the stock quantity.
Enter the column heading text on the file that relates to the SKU code into the SKU Heading field.
Enter the column heading text on the file that relates to the stock quantity into the Quantity Heading field.
If you would like the app to delete the file once it has been downloaded tick the File Deletion tick box.
Finally, to enable the app make sure the Enable The Download/Update tick box is ticked.
Once you've finished configuring the source select add this source.
The app will start running immediately.
Uploading a file
If you're uploading a CSV file of your stock quantities open the 'Upload a stock file' section:
The external source spreadsheet should have two column headings (it can contain other data), one for the SKU code and one for the stock quantity.
Enter the column heading text on the file that relates to the SKU code into the SKU Heading field.
Enter the column heading text on the file that relates to the stock quantity into the Quantity Heading field.
Select the file containing the stock levels from your computer's hard drive and then click upload file and update stock.
Processing time
The automatic system will download the stock file every 60 minutes.
The system will not process a new file if it is already processing an existing file. Therefore if your file contains a lot of SKU codes (i.e. over 5,000) the system may not be able to process a file every 60 minutes and the update times might be longer.