Minor issues to resolve with CS CART addon: CSV/XML Import

Minor issues to resolve with CS CART addon: CSV/XML Import

Technical Specifications

1. Introduction
This document describes the technical requirements for the analysis, verification and possible modifications of the “XML and CSV Import” addon developed by SIMTECH, used on the CS CART MULTIVENDOR platform. The document is intended for the development team to understand the context, the problems encountered and the changes necessary for the optimal functioning of the system.
I consider the problems to be solved in this project to be minor.

2. Context
The www.bigcart.bigcart.ro platform uses the “XML and CSV Import” addon from SIMTECH, extended by an additional addon called “Custom Fields and Logic Import”. After a testing period, operating problems were identified that require technical intervention.

3. Objectives
• Preserving the original functionalities of the SIMTECH “XML and CSV Import” addon (full license).
• Implementing all changes through the additional addon, without altering the base code of the main addon.
• Check and correct any bugs that occurred during testing.
• Ensure compatibility with the MULTIVENDOR platform and supplier import flows.

4. Existing SIMTECH addon features
• Seamlessly import data in XML, CSV and YML formats.
• Quickly upload and synchronize product data, including new products.
• Keep up with price and stock changes.
• Enjoy field mapping and category mapping features.
• Control which fields to import with powerful master field settings
• Automatically import products via a cron script.
• Clone import profiles.
• Allow/disallow administrators to manage import.
• Modify imported data (using the standard Advanced Products Import extension)
• Import common products for suppliers (support for the Common Products for Suppliers extension)
• Convert currency during import
• Seamlessly import data in XML, CSV, JSON and YML formats.
These are the features of the CSV & XML PRO addon above
To fully view the functionalities of the SIMTECH addon, I offer you a link: https://simtechdev.com/blog/xml-and-csv-import/#:~:text=The%20XML%20and%20CSV%20Import%20addon%20allows%20you,this%20add-on%20and%20make%20inventory%20management%20hassle%20free

5. Changes made and functional through the additional addon

5.1 OPTIONS tab
a) Import products based on price (minimum-maximum range).
b) Exclude products with zero stock.
c) Add VAT according to preferences.
d) Fixed amount added to each imported price (used for shipping cost)

5.2 PRICE RULES Tab
a) Price rules and commercial markup in percentages.
b) Automatic calculation of margins based on unlimited price thresholds.

5.3 FIELDS MAPING Tab
a) Functional

5.4 Category Mapping Tab
a) Functional

5.5 Background conditions
• Automatic deactivation of products with 0 stock.
• Automatic reactivation of products when they are back in stock.
• Deactivates/Activates products if we apply the rule from point 5.1 - Import
products based on price (minimum-maximum range). Ex. We have already imported 2000 products with prices up to 1000 dollars into the Site database. The feed from which the import was made is called B2B. If we want to keep only products with prices up to $100, inclusive, out of the 2000 products, then we will apply the rule to import products in the range of $0-$100. The effect is that at the end of importing products from the same B2B feed, all other products that are not in the specified range of $0-$100 will be automatically deactivated. They can also be reactivated from deactivated products if another rule with a different range is applied, say $101-$200. And so on. A function that helps a lot.
• Display real-time progress bar for feeds.
• Display real-time progress bar for feeds.

5.6 CRONJOB
a) Functional. Runs import flows.

6. Identified problems
1) On the main page where we create the feeds in the XML and CSV import profile addon.
- When accessing the “VIEW” button, on the page that opens I need to have a report of what was loaded from the feed. The report does not work, it is not displayed.
- the status bar (the blue one) does not work and does not display in real time (as a % it represents the import at a given time), the import scheduled via Cronjob or the import executed manually.

2) In the “Fields mapping” TAB
Here there are processes that consume a lot of resources and that block the system. This is from what I have observed so far. I assume that everything happens because the feeds that are to be uploaded to the site are first uploaded in a script implemented in the addon and then it is played on the normal circuit. It is a loop that makes the server extremely difficult.
This script was implemented to ensure the loading of feeds that had a LINK ending in ANYTHING other than the .CSV ending.
Example of a feed with such an ending: https://export.avex.ro/wp-load.php?security_token=016d0da95f890dba&export_id=3&action=get_data
A simple solution must be found that works very well as in the standard Advanced Products Import extension of CS CART MULTIVENDOR. The above link example is loaded without any problems in the STANDARD addon of CS CART MULTIVENDOR without the need for another script that can load this link.
I mention that this script also changes the name of the original link (feed).

7. Technical requirements
• Keeping the SIMTECH addon code as close as possible to the original version.
• Modifications should be made exclusively through the additional addon, where possible.
• Compatibility with the MULTIVENDOR platform and support for multiple suppliers.
• Implementation of CRON commands. I would like a CRON command to run only for uploading new products and another Cron command to run only for UPDTAE to products already uploaded to the site. In the “Fields mapping” TABLE there are 2 columns:
- CREATE(Select the fields you want to import for new products)
- UPDATE(Select the fields you want to update for existing products)
The CRONJOB flows must run in CASCADE.
•The additional addon should be ready to be installed at any time on the site in the form of a KITT. At the moment the addon is implemented on the test site but I no longer have the kit with the latest updates to it.Assistance and resolution of any errors when implementing the addon on the online site.

IMPORTANT! Keeping it in perfect working condition, as stated in point 5, is mandatory.

8. Conclusions
This document provides a clear picture of the technical requirements necessary for the optimal functioning of the product import system through the SIMTECH addon and its extension. The intervention of a technical team is requested for analysis, remediation and implementation, in compliance with the above requirements.