AD Data Import

 

PIM Enterprise has a special import option designed specifically for AD (Affiliated Distributors) data.

AD Import File

AD import files have a very specific layout.  In order to make AD imports as easy as possible, the PIM is designed to know what to expect in AD files.  Using that information, it is able to automatically map certain data for you.  

The formatting of the file is extremely important, which means you must use a standard AD import file when using the AD Import feature of the PIM.  More or fewer columns than the standard layout can cause problems with the import.  

You can see an example of the expected columns for a standard AD import file below.

ADSample.csv

Starting the Import

Select "Import" from the "File" menu or the Items tab to begin the import process, then follow up by selecting AD import

Configure the Import Source

Let PIM Enterprise know how your import file is set up.

  1. Select the AD file that contains your import data.
  2. If you are linking images or documents to items in your import file, enter the paths to where you have the referenced files stored.  Select if you want the imported images/documents to add to the existing images/documents for the items or replace them.
  3. Select the field from the AD data that represents the item's Part Number.
  4. "Merge Item Features to bulleted list?" will combine the data in the Item_Features columns of the AD data into a single bulleted list.
  5. Use the Unit of Measure (UOM) designator to tell the system how to handle the AD Attribute_UOM fields:
    • "Ignore UOM's" -  This will ignore the UOM columns entirely.
    • "Map UOM's to Name" -  This will add the UOM data to the Attribute Name.  For instance, if the Attribute Name is Bore Diameter, and the Attribute UOM is "in" for inches, the Attribute Name will become "Bore Diameter (in)" in PIM Enterprise.
    • "Map UOM's to Value" -  This will add the UOM data to the Attribute Value.  For instance, if the Attribute Name is "Bore Diameter", the Attribute Value is "1" and the Attribute UOM is "in" for inches, the Attribute Name will be "Bore Diameter" and the Attribute Value will be "1 in" in PIM Enterprise.
  6. "Parse and Import Categories" will attempt to auto-map the categories from the import file to the PIM Enterprise data.  You can still manually go through the mapping process if you choose by clicking "Next". 

Mapping Import Data

Mapping the item, category, and attribute data works exactly the same way as the Standard Import. The only exception is that on the "Product Details Field Mapping" page, several of the fields will be automatically mapped for you.  Because the AD data has a specific structure, PIM Enterprise will pre-map several fields for you.  You can add additional mappings, or clear system-generated mappings and map them manually if you'd like.

Completing the Import

On the screen after completing all of your mappings, you can save the mappings to be used again.  This can make future imports a much quicker process.

Click "Finish" on the final screen to complete your import.