Ecommerce Sync User Defined Fields

Hello,

We are trying to store as much item info in Business One as possible. That way we would only need to maintain one system.

Ideally we would like to be able to create and store all product details in Business One and let the sync add the items to NetPoint. Is there a way we could setup user defined fields in Business One for variants, category, keywords, available date, types, media (Images), groups, etc... and then sync those fields?

Or could we create a .csv upload file and bulk import the item features into netpoint as needed. We have in excess of 10000 products - many of which are apparel matrix type items (size/color) so they would have a parent /child in Netpoint.

Thank You

Henry

SAP Managed Tags:
SAP Business One

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Shane - Any idea on rough timing for the Synch Plugin WebEx? I stopped looking into it waiting to get jump started with the WebEx, but if it isn't going to happen for a while, then I may just jump into it myself.

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Hi Derek,

The earliest date I can get is March 5.

SAP has to approve my demo before I can begin.

I have it tenatively scheduled for this time.

Hi Derek,

The earliest date I can get is March 5.

SAP has to approve my demo before I can begin.

I have it tenatively scheduled for this time.

As a heads up, the first thing you will need to to when you open the tester and plugin projects is remap the references (netpoint.api, netpoint.synchsbo and sapbobscom). We don't send the files with the project. They need to reference the versions that you have in your install.

Second, there is bug in the tester. The GetCompany(SecurityTicket t) method does not set the B1 servertype. You will need to add


c.DbServerType = BoDataServerTypes.dst_MSSQL2005;

For a very brief overview:

When the synch begins, it loads both the PRX_Transaction_Queue (B1) and the TransactionQueue (WT) into memory.

You can toggle the synch plugin to run before or after the synch. By default, it will run before.

Once the synch has completed, both B1 and WT queues are passed to the synch plugin engine.

The plugin engine will dynamically load any dll in the plugins directory of the synch manager. It then iterates the assembly, looking for classes which inherit NetPoint.SynchSBO.SynchPlugin. When it finds one, it will instantiate the object.

The SynchPlugin class is an abstract class that requires you to implement the following:

Name - A name to identify the plugin so it can be displayed in the error log.

SynchType - An enum that notifies the plugin engine which queue (BP, Items, Catalog) that will be processed by the plugin. NOTE: each synch plugin class can only operate on one queue. So if you need BPs and Items, you will need to write to classes.


public abstract void B1ToWebTools(NetPoint.SynchSBO.framework.SBOQueueObject qData)

Once the engine has instantiated the plulgin object, it will iterate the B1 Queue specified by the SynchType, passing data from the PRX_Transaction_Queue loaded into the SBOQueueObject.

From the SBOQueueObject you can get the data necessary to query data from B1 via the DI API (I am assuming anyone attempting a synch plugin has some experience in this).


public abstract void WebToolsToB1(NetPoint.SynchSBO.framework.NPQueueObject qData);

Same idea as above. Just that this one gets its data from the WT TransactionQueue.

Any updates on this WebEx?

Sorry folks, I'm new to the empowerment session process so I've messed it up.

The demo happened the morning, so you won't be able to attend. Also, the demo was only available to partners anyway, so it may have been inaccessible to most of you who were interested.

The good new is that it was recorded, and we will be posting that in a public place one it has been editted.

We will also post the materials from demo which included a fixed version of the plugin tester and the powerpoint overview.

Excuse me for being a little aggrevated, but what about those of us who are partners and were not informed? Don't get me wrong, I'm glad you're posting the recording online, but I believe the purpose of the WebEx was to provide info to get people off the ground, and there's a good possibility that not all questions were answered in that session if they didn't even get the chance to get asked in the first place.

Sorry if you're not the one responsible for this. I (and my company) simply feel very frustrated regarding this whole SynchManager application, as it has been the source for a lot of headaches over the past six months.

Don't take this personally Shane, but I have to agree with Michael that I'm disappointed that we weren't even notified about the event. I know it wasn't intentional on your part. I'm curious, how many people actually attended the WebEx?

Why would it have been restricted only to partners? I have to admit that it is really frustrating as a customer that I don't have any access to most of the things that would smooth over my implementation. Why does it have to be so hard for customers who are actually using SAP software to have access to documentation and patches?

Hi Shane

I've been trying to find the demo for the Sync Plugin you mentioned but without success. Do you know if its been posted somewhere and if so, can you give me the link to it.

Thanks

Edu

http://www.businessoneecommerce.com/developer.html

Henry, which version of NetPoint are you using? We are in a similar situation, and we're using Web Tools 2007.0.624 to do a custom synch of UDFs. While we haven't got it working yet, we are making good progress, and know quite a bit about the custom SynchPlugin used to work with SynchManager.

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Michael,

Our system is just getting set up but I believe the version is Web Tools 2007.0.620.0.

Are you using the UDF's to sync the fileds that are in NetPoint but not in Business One

Thanks

Henry

First off, I would highly recommend talking to your reseller about upgrading to 2007.0.624, as many of the bugs that we ran into were resolved.

Which UDF fields are you talking about? Could you give me an example of some things that exist in Web Tools that do not get pulled into SAP?

Michael,

Some examples of fileds in NetPoint but not in Business One are

Part Info Tab

-Keywords

-Available Date

-Available - Y/N

-Featured - Y/N

- Types -

- Master Type - None / Product Line / Sales Kit / Assembly Kit / Varient

- Display Method - List / Drop Down List / Image Picker / Attribute Picker / Attribute

Media

- Image Path

-Thumbnail Path

- additional images

Groups

- Category

- Cross Sell

- Equivalents

There is also some items that will be in our Business One database that we will not want on the web - so if we simple had a udf called "web active" and could select Y/N. If "N" the item would not sync.

Thanks

Henry

Michael,

I can email you a screenshot of the item master screen and sone of the udf's if you would like

Henry

OK, looks like you've got two questions here:

1. "How do I pull down Web-Tools-only fields into UDFs in SAP?"

I have not successfully done this yet, but this type of stuff is directly in our path, so I can be of some assistance. I would first create all of the UDFs I needed to in SAP, then in your SynchPlugin write the necessary code to match the two items. For an example of a contact's social security number being synched, refer to the SDK\SynchPlugin\SampleProject folder. I'm still working out the C# code myself, so let me know if you get anywhere with it. Again, I cannot stress enough that upgrading to 624 will help you immensely - we couldn't even get the SynchPlugin to compile in 620.

2. "How do I hide specific items in Web Tools?"

In the Administration screen, click on Catalogs~~>Parts and find your parts. There is a flag called Available under the Part Info~~>Availability tab. If this is unchecked, the item will not be available to users on the site. It does match up to a field in SAP, but I don't remember which one. You may need to check the .xls file with the field mapping somewhere in the SDK folder.

Also, try and limit emails as much as possible, as it limits the use others can receive from threads. Try and put any information you can into the postings themselves.

Thanks for your input. I will try your suggestions and keep you posted. Please also keep me posted of your progress.

Thanks

Henry

Hi Henry,

The following fields are UDF's on the Item master in B1

- Keywords

- Availble on Web

- Featured on Web

- Part Notes - synch with description on item master

- Part Type

- Image path

- Category synchs with Item Group

Setting Available on Web to 'N' won't prevent it from synching, but it will not show to customers.

Also remember that your catalog you use for synch should not be the same catalog you associate with your customer facing theme, so that you can have different categories, so even having an Item 'Available on Web' does not mean your customers will see it.

Bryce,

Are the fileds you listed already in Business One or would we need to create UDF's with those names?

Can we create addition UDF's in Business One that we can set to sync?

Thank You

Henry

When you click the install plugin button in the synchmanager, they are created in the B1 Company DB chosen in the company db dropdown

To synch UDF's you have created really 4 things need to happen

1 - Obviously, create the UDF's in B1

2 - Create the db tables in Webtools db to which the data will go to, if necessary

3 - Create a synch plugin that calls your UDF data and synchs it to webtools

4 - Create a page in Webtools that displays this data(if necessary

There have been partners who have done this for customers in the past. The SDK for Webtools contains a synch plugin tester, a sample project, and a documented API to help you start.

I should also add that the ChildOf field is added as well

Its used to associate an item with a master item, or product line master.

For example, if you have a product line of shirts in web tools, grouped by color and size, each different size and color shirt would be a child of the product line master, which is just a place holder

Henry, we're working on creating a SynchPlugIn that will have UDFs in SAP and Web Tools synching back and forth with pre-existing fields and UDFs in both DBs. I would love to collaborate on this so we can share ideas, challenges, and obstacles. I know that Bryce said the API was documented, and there was plenty of code to work with as a starting basis, but it is still no simple task to put together a working model from start to finish.

If you're inclined to acquiesce with my propsal, feel free to post further in this thread regarding the synching of UDFs and the plug-in.

Michael,

I've been following your posts for the last week or so, but because of a problem with my login ID, I wasn't able to post. We are running into the exact same problems and really need to figure out a good solution for syncing UDF. I would love to get involved with your project and contribute what I can to getting a workable solution out the door soon.

You can contact me at derek AT seatability DOT com directly or post in this thread and I'll work with you on it. If would help to discuss things over the phone, you can also reach me at (801) 358-2593.

Thanks,

Derek

Any chance of getting into and helping out with this project?

lol

Not to post off-topic, but my wife and I just had our first baby on the 5th, so I apologize for any delay in posts.

Yeah, let's get together on this. My email is webmaster at clarionsafety dot com.

Congratulations! I'll contact you via email.

Hi All,

It seems there are a number of people staring down the rabbit hole of the synch plugin.

I would like to propose a brief demo~~probably a webex~~to get those interested up and running.

This means:

1. Get your synch plugin tester working.

2. Overview of the plugin/synch architecture.

Is there interest in something like this?

Oh please yes! Give me the time and date and I'll be there.

Michael,

Congratulations on your new baby!

Henry

Hi Shane,

Yes I would be very interested in a web demo. Let me know when.

Thanks

I would also be very interested in a WebEx. The sooner the better as far as I'm concerned.

Thanks, Henry & Bryce. My wife and I are very blessed.

(photos [here|http://www.mikefoss.com/index.php?EntryId=27|Baby Pictures at www.mikefoss.com]; if you're interested - pardon the proud-father off-topic post)

Edited by: Michael Foss on Feb 13, 2008 3:22 PM

Congrats Michael!

I would also be very interested in the web-ex. Please let be know when it is going to happen?

Mohan

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