EffectConnect always connects to your web shop or your own ERP system to retrieve product information which is used in EffectConnect.
You can also add extra (additional) information in EffectConnect, by using additional data sources. For example. you can use a CSV (Comma- Separated-Values) file to add additional information, which will be added to your products.
You can then use this data similarly to how you use the data from your base system in EffectConnect (for example, fill in mapping groups, make product selections, or process them in custom attributes.)
Go to:
- Where do I find the module for additional data sources?
- Good to know about adding additional data sources
- How do I add additional data to EffectConnect?
Where do I find the module for additional data sources?
You can find the 'additional data sources' module by choosing 'catalog > additional data sources' in EffectConnect, on the left side of the main menu.
Good to know about adding additional data sources
To add additional data sources, it is essential to know that you can only add data using a CSV file. Not sure what a CSV file is? Then read this article.
You should have at least 1 identifier available in your CSV file, which you also already use in EffectConnect (for example the product ID, EAN, or SKU code). This is important to match the data in EffectConnect. While importing your file, you can select on the basis of which field the data should be matched to.
How do I add additional data to EffectConnect?
To set up an additional data source, go to the module, and click on the button marked 'Add data source'. In this screen, you indicate whether you want to upload a CSV file or use a file hosted online. You can then download it in EffectConnect for further use.
Select the choice that is relevant to you, give a title to your data source (for your own reference) and depending on the choice, import the CSV file into EffectConnect.
Following the first step, it is necessary to select if the CSV file contains headers and separators. These parameters will tell EffectConnect how the file should be read. EffectConnect will automatically try to detect the separator.
There is also a possibility to show the advanced settings. Here you can enter or change the encapsulation and escape values. To read more about these values you can read this article about encapsulation or this article about escape values.
In the next step, you can determine which delimiter EffectConnect uses to import the data in the correct way and optionally configure advanced settings. If you're not sure what a specified field is used for? Then click the question mark on the left of the field to get more information.
On the next screen, you indicate based on which identifier the data from your CSV file should be linked in EffectConnect. Is this for example the EAN code, product option ID, or the SKU code?
Indicate in the left column which field from your CSV file should be used, and in the right column which field in EffectConnect corresponds with that field.
Next, you define which fields EffectConnect should import from your additional data source. With the checkmarks in the title bar, you can enable or disable an import. On the last row, which says 'Attribute name', you define the title of your attribute which is used in EffectConnect itself. Lastly, you configure for which language you would like to import your data. In this way, you can import data for different languages.
Click on 'next step' to confirm your settings. After doing your last check, you can start the import process by clicking on 'Import data'.
After importing the additional data source you can use your (new) data as attributes in the products module, in the mapping groups to fill in product information, configure your channel, create product selections or use it in custom attributes.