What does the excel database access look like? Is it like they dump a CSV file somewhere for you to import?
Topic summary
Goal: connect a small supplier (no Shopify app) to sync products (inventory/variants) and shipping.
Data available: supplier offers database exports via HTML, Excel/XML (images show three download links). No automated feed confirmed; appears manual downloads are required.
Proposed approaches:
- Custom integration: create a private app (uses API keys) that reads supplier data and syncs with Shopify. Requires supplier documentation on database access.
- Semi-manual workflows: send orders by email/CSV; receive daily CSVs for inventory/pricing; use SOPs until scaling justifies full automation.
- Mix of apps:
- Shipping rates: JsRates (shipping rate engine). Can read live XML for rate calculations; requires carrier-calculated rates enabled. Does not sync inventory/prices.
- Inventory/pricing: Stock Sync for ongoing updates.
- Product import/export: Matrixify for bulk uploads.
- Automation option if supplier supports it: MESA templates for updating inventory from CSV on an FTP server. Current setup lacks FTP; only manual link downloads noted.
Key terms: CSV (Comma-Separated Values), FTP (File Transfer Protocol), API (application interface), SOP (standard procedure).
Status: unresolved/ongoing. Next steps: confirm supplier delivery method (API/FTP vs manual), obtain docs, choose between custom build vs app-based/partial manual solution.