How to FTP Inventory and Shipment Status Files
In lieu of uploading your inventory or shipping status spreadsheet files via the ChannelAdvisor application you can FTP these file to us. Feel free to use your own FTP program but if you have difficulties, we've included some instructions below on how to accomplish this with FileZilla. Table of Contents
File Types / Naming conventions There are three types of files that can be sent via FTP to ChannelAdvisor. They include: - Inventory Uploads
- Inventory Updates
- Item Ship Status Updates
The files that you will send to us through the FTP site will need to meet the same format / requirements as files you would upload in Marketplace Advisor Premium. The filenames need to be named as follows: - CAAdd* This is for new inventory uploads (Bulk Upload Inventory Spreadsheet)
- CAUpdate* This is for existing inventory updates (Bulk UPDATE Inventory Spreadsheet)
- CAStatus* This is for Item Shipped status (Import Shipping Tracking Numbers Spreadsheet)
The * represents any identifier that you want to use to keep the files unique. For example, you could use a sequence number or a date. For example, an inventory upload file might look like: caadd_102507.txt You can upload a file with the same name each night. However, if you upload more than one file per day, you will need to use different filenames.
Frequency of Updates The process to read all FTP'd files runs once a day, sometime between midnight and 6:00 AM EST. Our system will sweep through and process all the files that you may have sent throughout the day.
FTP Error Reporting We also have an FTP error report that is now available via email. Details on how to interpret the FTP report can be found in this article HERE. If you are unsure if you are setup to receive this, please contact your ChannelAdvisor Customer Launch Specialist.
Set up a FTP login prefix If Image FTP is not yet setup, you will need to do so that you can establish a Login Prefix. This is done at the Settings > Image Hosting page. Once that is established you can FTP inventory and ship status information to us.
Setting Up FileZilla Step 1: Download Filezilla
First, install Filezilla if you have not already done so.
Step 2: Enter General Settings After installation of Filezill, browse to File > Site Manager. The 3 screen shots below represent 3 of the 4 tabs in Site Manager page view. The 4th tab is not needed. - On the General Tab, complete the following as shown:
- Host Name = partner.channeladvisor.com
- User = ChannelAdvisor FTP Login Prefix:User name
- Your Login Prefix is entered in MarketplaceAdvisor Premium under Settings-> Image Hosting.
- Example: If you create your login prefix as "testca" then your FTP user would be testca:stacey@channeladvisor.com
- Password = Your MarketplaceAdvisor Premium password.
- On the Advanced Tab, enter a forward slash "/" (circled in red).
Step 3: Drag and Drop Files When using the tool, drill down to where you have your inventory or ship status files. (NOTE: Do NOT create directories. Put everything in the root.) - Highlight the files on the left side and drag to the right side (remote site).
Login to give us your comments on this SSC content
|
