Batch import and update of product information

Purpose

 1.1. Streamline bulk product data entry and updates, reducing manual errors and ensuring inventory accuracy.
 1.2. Enable synchronized catalog management across multiple platforms for rapid product rollouts or corrections.
 1.3. Speed up onboarding of new products and seasonal lines typical in African imports retail.
 1.4. Automate data sharing between suppliers, warehouses, online stores, and ERPs to improve stock visibility.
 1.5. Replace repetitive spreadsheet uploads with direct, scheduled, or event-based batch import and update flows.

Trigger Conditions

 2.1. New data file (CSV, XLSX, JSON) uploaded to specified cloud storage or FTP.
 2.2. Supplier sends updated product feed via API or email attachment.
 2.3. Scheduled batch run (daily, weekly, on-demand) from POS/ERP system.
 2.4. Manual trigger from dashboard when bulk inventory needs updating.
 2.5. Change detected via webhook from supplier or catalog provider.

Platform Variants

 3.1. Shopify
  • Function: Product API — POST/PUT /admin/api/2023-10/products.json to create/update products swiftly.
 3.2. WooCommerce
  • Feature: REST API — PUT /wp-json/wc/v3/products/batch for batch product import/update.
 3.3. Magento
  • API: POST /rest/V1/products — Import items via native APIs.
 3.4. Square
  • API: Catalog API — UpsertCatalogObject for synchronizing item metadata.
 3.5. Lightspeed Retail
  • API: Products endpoint — Batch import through /products.json.
 3.6. Vend (now Lightspeed X-Series)
  • Feature: Product API — Products Bulk Endpoint for mass updates.
 3.7. BigCommerce
  • Feature: Catalog API — POST /v3/catalog/products to push data in bulk.
 3.8. QuickBooks Commerce
  • API: Products API — Bulk upload endpoint to keep records current.
 3.9. SAP Business One
  • Function: Service Layer API — ImportProducts service for catalog syncs.
 3.10. Odoo
  • API: XML-RPC / JSON-RPC /inventory.product — automate import workflows.
 3.11. Zoho Inventory
  • API: POST /api/v1/items — supports batch item creation and updates.
 3.12. NetSuite
  • API: SOAP/REST services — Item Import endpoint.
 3.13. Microsoft Dynamics 365
  • Endpoint: Data Management API — Import Data Package for product batches.
 3.14. Google Sheets
  • Feature: Apps Script — Automated upload and parsing, triggering sync to products database.
 3.15. Airtable
  • Feature: Batch update records API — PATCH /v0/app/products.
 3.16. Amazon Seller Central
  • API: Feeds API — Submit Product Feed for large catalog changes.
 3.17. eBay
  • API: Inventory API — bulkCreateOrReplaceInventoryItem for mass updates.
 3.18. Etsy
  • API: PUT /v3/application/shops/{shop_id}/listings/batch for bulk updates.
 3.19. SFTP integration
  • Function: Monitor remote directory for new product CSV/XLSX, parse and process.
 3.20. FTP server
  • Feature: Event trigger on file added/changed, process with ETL logic into store API.
 3.21. Google Drive
  • Feature: Monitor folder for product list uploads, initiate import pipeline.
 3.22. Dropbox
  • API: Webhook and /files/list_folder — detect new uploads, pass to parsing engine.

Benefits

 4.1. Speeds up inventory updates for retailers with large/exotic catalogs.
 4.2. Eliminates manual data entry, reducing risk of costly human errors.
 4.3. Empowers multi-channel sales by keeping catalog consistent across platforms.
 4.4. Enhances supplier integration with direct digital connections.
 4.5. Boosts competitiveness with agile inventory turnover and real-time updates.
 4.6. Cuts operational costs by minimizing touchpoints for repetitive data management.
 4.7. Facilitates compliance with variable import requirements for African goods.
 4.8. Scales up easily as product lines expand or new import partnerships arise.