Many of our customers have custom product line or products from venders not yet participating in our ShopKart program. This is why we have made it possible to upload mass product list.  From inside the product management utility there is a link to the import products tool.

The import process has 2 steps.

Step1:           Preparing and uploading your image files

Step2:           Preparing and uploading the tab delimited file

Very important to Know!

Importing products into BizWizard ShopKart is not a multiple user function.  Only one person may import products at a time.  It is critical no one else is currently doing a product import before you proceed. 

Other user of BizWizard ShopKart may continue to work within BizWizard ShopKart on other tasks so long as they do not begin a second product import. 

Please Note: Even if another user is working on different web store, they cannot start another product import process. 

You will be reminded of this when you initiate a product import and will be given the opportunity to cancel.

When Prompted: Do you wish to proceed with importing products?

v  OKAY:  Select if you are certain no other user is importing product.

v  Cancel: Select if someone else is importing products or you are uncertain if someone else might be using the import product utility.

Before you can upload your images; we need to talk about creating the image files.  Be sure the image is at least a minimum of 150 x 150 pixels; maximum of 500 x 500 pixels.   DPI (Dot per inch) should be between 100-200 DPI.  Please keep in mind the larger the file the slower the upload process will be.

Important: the image file names must match exactly the image file names in your spreadsheet of products used in Step 2. 

The image file name must match exactly the image file name in your spreadsheet of products used in Step 2. 

Here are some guidelines for image creation.

Remember:  Use one of these image formats *.jpg, *.png, and*.gif; Min size 150 x 150 pixels.

Recommendations: DPI of 100-200; Max size 500 x 500 pixels.

For the image upload process, the first thing to do is to select all images to be uploaded.

To begin the process, simply select all of your images files from your hard drive by clicking the  icon. The Image upload Wizard will handle resizing the images to the appropriate size for use within BizWizard ShopKart.  After all the images are uploaded… Click on the Proceed to Step 2 below the image upload Wizard.

In Step 2, Download the file “BizWizardShopKartProductImport.xls” This file may be opened using Microsoft Excel 2003 or later.

The spreadsheet contains the following required columns of information.

v  Primary Image File Name v  Supplier Name v  Product Family v  Product Name v  Product Description v  Lead Days v  Quantity In Increments Of v  Minimum Order Quantity v  Hide Special Instructions v  Hide Personalization Text

v  Taxable Product v  Volume Discount Schedule Name v  Retailer Product Number v  Supplier Product Number v  Product Detail Description v  Shipping Weight v  Additional Shipping Charge v  Product Unit Cost v  Product Unit Price

Each column above must contain valid information.

The spreadsheet also contains the following optional columns of information.

v  Image Two File Name v  Image Three File Name v  Image Four File Name v  PDF Template File Name v  360 Degree Flash Animation File Name

v  Category  Columns 1 - 10 v  Attribute Group Name Columns 1 - 10 v  Attribute Group Display Name Columns 1 - 10 v  Attribute Group Sort Sequence Columns 1 - 10 v  Attribute Group Default Value Columns 1 - 10

Enter the supplier name in this column. If the supplier is already in ShopKart, it is best to copy and paste the suppliers name from ShopKart supplier table (see Supplier Management Interface.) ShopKart will match up the name in this column with any suppliers with the same name already in the ShopKart supplier table. If there is no match, then ShopKart will create a supplier in the supplier table to match up with the name in this column.

In the example above we already have Plastic Dress-Up Co. selected as a supplier in ShopKart so we copy and pasted the supplier name into the Supplier Name Column. Simply Select the supplier name, right click with your mouse and select the copy option from the pop-up menu that appears. The maximum length of the supplier name is 100 characters. Anything longer than 100 characters will be truncated down to 100 characters.

Now that you have copied the supplier name, simply paste the supplier name into the Excel spreadsheet.

Every product in BizWizard ShopKart has a product family associated with it. Simply enter the product family name in this column. If there is a product family already in ShopKart it is best to match up to one that already exists. If you need to create a new product family for this rows product, then simply put in the new product family name into this column, and BizWizard ShopKart will automatically create the new product family. Otherwise it will attempt to match up the product family name you specify in this column with a product family that already exists in the product family table. The maximum length of the product family is 100 characters. Any characters after 100 will be truncated down to 100 characters.

Simply specify the name of the product in this column. The name of the product translates into the product name and should be an accurate 2-4 word name (or title if you will) of the product. Use the same types of naming convention you would use if you were to title a book that you authored. If possible, use SEO keywords in the title but not to excess, keep the whole title to 2-4 words in length. The product name may be no longer than 75 characters in length. Any character longer than 75 characters will be truncated down to 75 characters during import. The product name column translates into the name of the product as show in the below screenshot.

Simply specify the name of the product in this column. The name of the product translates into the product name and should be an accurate 2-4 word name (or title if you will) of the product. Use the same types of naming convention you would use if you were to title a book that you authored. If possible, use SEO keywords in the title but not to excess, keep the whole title to 2-4 words in length. The product name may be no longer than 75 characters in length. Any character longer than 75 characters will be truncated down to 75 characters during import.

The product name column translates into the name of the product as show in the below screenshot.

The lead day’s column lets ShopKart and your customers know how many days lead time it will take to produce a product. Simply specify a number from 1 to 180 as the lead days. Any other number besides the numbers 1-180 will be substituted with a 5 day lead time. If this column is left blank a ShopKart will also use a 5 day lead time.

Simply specify the number between the values of 1 and 500 to indicate what increments products must be ordered in. For instance if a product is only sold in lots of 5, then put the Quantity in Increments of at the number 5. Otherwise use the number 1. If you enter any other quantity other than numbers 1-500, then ShopKart will default the Quantity in Increments of to 1 when the products are imported.

If the product in question must meet a minimum order guideline, simply enter the minimum order quantity in this column. For instance if the customer must purchase a minimum of 25 medallions, then enter 25 in this column. Otherwise if there is no minimum order quantity, specify the number 1. Minimum order quantity must be a number between 1 and 500. Any other number will default back to a minimum order quantity of 1 during import.

This column should be either the value of “Yes” or the value of “No” – any other value placed in this column will be ignored and ShopKart will use the value of “No” This column hides the special instructions field during the Add to Cart process when a customer places an order for this product. If you do not want to collect additional special instructions information, then set this value to “Yes”, otherwise set it to “No”

This column should be either the value of “Yes” or the value of “No” – any other value placed in this column will be ignored and ShopKart will use the value of “No” This column hides the personalization text field during the Add to Cart process when a customer places an order for this product if the value is set to “Yes”. If you do not want to collect personalization text (engraving text), then set this value to “Yes”, otherwise set it to “No”

This column should be either the value of “Yes” or the value of “No” and controls whether ShopKart will calculate sales tax on this item if the item is taxable. Setting this to a value of “No” means this product is a non-taxable product and ShopKart should not calculate sales tax on this item when this item is ordered. Any other value placed in this column besides “Yes” or “No” will cause ShopKart to ignore the value and set the Taxable Product to “Yes”

Enter into this column the Volume Discount Schedule name you wish to have associated with this product. Upon Import, BizWizard ShopKart will match up the name you place here with the volume discount schedules already created. If a match is found, ShopKart will use the already created Volume Discount Schedule Name. If the Volume Discount Schedule does not exist, ShopKart will create a new volume discount schedule name and automatically add the following volume point breaks:

v  1         →         0%

v  10       →         5%

v  25       →         10%

v  50       →         15%

v  100     →         20%

v  250     →         25%

Of course you may always change the volume discount schedule breakpoints after you have imported. If you want the volume discount schedules set prior to import, then be sure you create the volume discount schedule before doing the import and copy and paste the volume discount schedule name as shown below:

The Retailer Product number is the product number you sell products under. This typically is the product number you have printed on your labels attached to products in your showroom. It can be the same as the supplier product number, or can and usually is different. Simply enter the Retailer Product number in this column. The retailer product number must be unique amongst all stores. If a product number is not unique. ShopKart will append to the end of the retailer product number or pre-pend to the beginning of the retailer product number enough random characters to ensure the retailer product number is unique. The Retailer Product number may be no longer than 30 characters in length and cannot contain any spaces.

 

The Supplier Product number is the product number of the product that you must use when ordering the product from the supplier. This is usually the product number as printed in the suppliers catalog. Simply enter the Suppliers product number in this column. The Suppliers product number can be duplicated on multiple products and does not have to be unique amongst products and stores. The Supplier product number cannot be longer than 30 characters in length.

The product detail description further distinguishes this product from the other products. Usually this would relate to a difference in size, or a difference in color. The Product Detail Description is limited to 100 characters. Any data longer than 100 characters will be truncated to 100 characters in length.

In our example, we have the same plaque, but it is available in different sizes (7”x9”, 8”x10 ½”, 9”x12”, and 12”x15”) – so we will create the detail records to distinguish each of these products as shown below:

Here are some examples of Product Detail Descriptions and how they have been used on various products:

If you notice in the spreadsheet the header information (i.e. image name, product name, product description, supplier name, product type, and volume discount schedule) are duplicate for each product that is a product detail. This is important. So if you have 5 products, but all use the same image, same product name, product description, etc, be sure you duplicate those values for each of the product details. Not duplicating (or copying them) can give unexpected results in the import.

Below is an example of Product Detail Descriptions and how they have been used on various products:

If you notice in the spreadsheet the section marked in green (i.e. image name, product name, product description, supplier name, etc…) these values are duplicated for each product detail (mark in purple). This is very important. If you have 5 products, but all use the same image, same product name, product description, etc… be sure you duplicate the values shown in green for each product details.

Failure to duplicating (or copying) the values can give unexpected results during the import process.

Specify the shipping weight in this column. Supports up to 1 decimal position. Any numbers past one decimal position will be rounded to the nearest 1 decimal position during import. For instance, a shipping weight of 12.37 will be rounded to 12.4.

If this item has an additional charge per piece that should be charged to cover extra shipping fees which may be associated with large box sizes, or special box sizes that cost more for shipping, simply indicate an up charge for shipping here. Do not enter $ in this field. This field should not contain commas either. Only enter digits and decimal points.

This is the cost of the product to buy it from the supplier. If you are a supplier and providing NetSoft Studio this spreadsheet for your product import this price should be your Each Unit Price and assumes NO DISCOUNTS or buying programs. This is the worst case scenario pricing. Do not enter $ in this field. This field should not contain commas either. Only enter digits and decimal points.

This is the price to sell to the end consumer. This price assumes no quantity breaks as quantity breaks will be discounted down from this price when the customer orders a quantity that gives them a break in pricing. Do not enter $ in this field. This field should not contain commas either. Only enter digits and decimal points.

In this section, every column is optional and will only be imported if information is provided and these columns are identified by green headings. These columns of data must contain the appropriate information as indicated in the following:

v  Image Two File Name

v  Image Three File Name

v  Image Four File Name

For some products you may have multiple images. These columns represent any additional images that will be uploaded into ShopKart and should contain the name of the image file that will be associated with this product. Typically additional image file names are for side view, back view or top views of products. These fields are completely optional and if you do not have additional product images, simply leave these columns blank. If you do have additional image file names, simply identify the name of the file exactly as it has or will be uploaded during product import. The maximum length of image files names is 255 characters. See the following example:

 

If you will be uploading a PDF design template with this product, be sure you include the PDF Template File Name in the column for PDF template and then be sure you upload the PDF template as part of the image upload. The maximum length of PDF Template files name is 255 characters. PDF Templates translate into… see image below:

If you will be uploading a 360 Degree Flash Animation of this product, be sure you include the 360 Degree Flash Animation File Name in this column for Flash animation and be sure you upload the 360 Degree Flash Animation as part of the image upload. The maximum length of the 360 Degree Flash Animation files name is 255 characters. 360 Degree Flash Animations translate… see image below:

 

If you would like BizWizard ShopKart to automatically categorize your products during the import process, you can use these columns to let BizWizard ShopKart know what categories to categorize these products into. You can categorize up to 10 categories during import and the categories must already exist prior to doing the import. ShopKart will not create the categories on the fly if they do not exist. If the category does not exist, ShopKart simply will not categorize the product for that category.

To find the category inside ShopKart, do the following:

1)    From the Main Menu, click on “Web Stores”

2)    Click on the Edit Icon next to the store you will import products into

3)    Click on Product Type Categories or Product Theme Categories

4)    Find the Category you wish to categorize into and copy and paste the “Import Category Name” value into the Import Spreadsheet.

See the below example:

There are four fields needed for each attribute that is to be initialized for a product and you may import up to 10 attribute settings. The attribute Group itself must already exist along with the attribute group options. ShopKart will not create the attribute group list during product import and if the Attribute group or option does not exist, ShopKart will ignore the attribute group during import. You can import your attribute group lists to create them but importing attribute group lists is discussed in the import document for that function.

The following are the four fields needed to accomplish attribute imports onto a product:

·         Attribute Group Name

·         Attribute Group Display Name

·         Attribute Group Sort Sequence

·         Attribute Group Default Value

Each group must be completely entered into the spreadsheet; however the group itself is optional. So if you need to add for instance a trophy figure selection list to a product, you will need to initialize all four columns.

First, find the attribute group name and copy and paste it to the Attribute Group Name column in the spreadsheet. The attribute group name can be found on the Attribute Groups Screen as shown in the following example:

Next put in the Attribute Group Display Name column the Display name you want to appear as the name of the pull-down list when a person adds this product to their shopping cart. For instance, maybe you don’t want the pull-down list to be titled Medallion – Backside Engraving; maybe you just want it called Backside Engraving. Simply identify this in the Attribute Group Display Name Column. If you leave this column blank, ShopKart will automatically set this value to the Attribute Group Name so be sure you indicate the display name as you want it to appear:

The attribute group sort sequence lets ShopKart know which order you wish to have attribute groups displayed when on the add to cart screen. For instance, in the above example, the Ribbons Attribute Group is sort sequence 10, and the Backside engraving is sort sequence 20. 10 sorts before 20 which sorts before 30, etc. If you do not wish to specify an attribute group sequence, ShopKart will automatically assign a sequence number, however the sequence may not be what you intended.

In some cases a sort order may not be important, but when you’re working with trophy builder or medallion builder products, the sort sequence can be extremely important as it would look incorrect, for example, show the neck ribbon after the medallion or the trophy figure below the trophy base.

So just keep in mind the sort sequence and whether this product requires attributes to display in a certain pre-defined sort order or not and base your decision on whether to put a sort sequence in based upon the products requirements for attribute display order.

Lastly, specify the Attribute Group default value. This is the value that will automatically be selected when a person first add this product to the shopping cart. For instance, in the following example, the default attribute group is No Backside Engraving. Simply put, this is the value that is shown first, and the associated image to that value in the pull-down list will be shown first.

To Obtain the Attribute Group Display value, use the Attribute Group Option Name from the attribute group as shown below:

You can repeat this for up to 10 attribute groups that can be added to a product. Again, attribute groups are optional and do not have to be provided, but can make setting up your products much easier in the long run, especially let’s assume your importing 100 medallions, typically the attribute group is going to be the same for all 100, so if you set it up for one medallion on one row, then simply copy and paste those rows down 100 times. It’s much quicker to setup the attribute group links at import time then to add them to each product one by one after they are imported.