Administering Inventory data uploads

You can administer your Commerce+ Inventory data via file upload.

File upload overview

The uploading of inventory-related data can be a manual or automated procedure, based on the size and complexity of your organization and its inventory and fulfilment requirements. This process may therefore only be used manually to bootstrap your inventory on Commerce+, make infrequent corrections or updates, or be used as the primary method to manage your inventory.

Using this page, users can:
Search
Locates a specific historical upload by the file name or the user name.
Filters
Narrows down the history list based on specific criteria, such as date ranges or status.
Download Templates
Provides access to the standard file formats required for successful system ingestion.
Upload
Initiates the selection and submission of a new inventory file.
Refresh
Updates the table with the most recent status of pending or completed uploads.

File upload templates

You can obtain the sample file upload templates that can be used in the format of your inventory upload files in one of three ways:
  • Via the documentation. The references for the Catalog data file (items.csv) and Inventory levels data file (inventory.csv) template files include the downloadable samples.
  • Via the Inventory dashboard.
    1. Log in to Commerce Lab
    2. Download the templates in one of two ways:
      • Select Download Template. A download is prompted in your browser.
      • Select Upload to display the Upload File pop-up. The Download Template button is duplicated here.
  • Via REST API. The /api/inventory/v1/file-upload-samples API endpoint enables you to obtain the sample templates via a GET call. Only an authorized user can obtain the templates. You must be authenticated as a user with a Site Administrator or Inventory Manager role.

The download is a compressed archive (.zip) that contains the inventory.csv and items.csv templates, as well as a readme file.

File upload considerations

The following considerations must be taken into account before using the Inventory file upload feature.
  • Inventory data is append-only. Content can be overwritten but not deleted.
  • Catalog data must exist before inventory values can be specified. You must load a SKU via Catalog data file (items.csv) before you can reference it within Inventory levels data file (inventory.csv).
  • Data files are read and processed from top to bottom. If inventory or catalog data is referred to multiple times within the same data file, then the last line contains the data that is represented within the Inventory.

Automating file uploads

If your organization requires a more responsive inventory management solution, or a tighter integration with an existing inventory management system, you can have your site developers implement automated file uploads.

This method can ensure that your Inventory contains more up-to-date inventory data without the need for manual updates or intervention.

For more information, see Automating an inventory data feed.

Verifying file uploads

Whether manually or automatically uploaded, you can observe the history and status of file uploads made to the Inventory. Any errors, inconsistencies, or omissions can be identified, isolated, and corrected for by downloading and reviewing the file upload log.

The Upload History table contains every file upload procedure in chronological order. Each file upload procedure includes a job number that is naturally incremented. Important audit details are included in the table: the original uploader, job number, the file name that was used, as well as the time and date of the upload. The search feature displays instantaneous results on file names, user IDs, and job numbers.

To audit a job, see Auditing Inventory file uploads.