posted on November 8, 2002 09:42:14 AM new
Although I'm not happy about it, I'm "transitioning" from SMBE to SMPro since BE is going to be dropped. A couple of questions:
1) I'm having trouble getting my inventory from BE into Pro. I did a .csv export from BE, but when I try to import into Pro it errors out on any number fields I try to retain. For instance, if I try to retain the Quantity field, I get an error message that says the value for this field must be an integer -- which, of course, it is (usually 1) in my BE inventory. Likewise, when I try to retain starting bid, I get an error message that says the value for this field must be in currency -- which, of course, it is in my BE inventory. Just to be sure, I've loaded this .csv into a spreadsheet and the fields are fine in the BE export.
Any suggestions? Or is there a better/easier way to move inventory from BE to Pro?
2) Could we please get an ETA and some details on the new "consolidated" BE-Pro product that's coming. For instance, one of the best features of BE is the ability to bulk edit-relist rapidly. Is that going to be included in the new Pro? We're right in the middle of the busiest selling season for us and we're stuck with two products that don't have full functionality -- the timing stinks. Please don't give us the "I don't know" response. Somebody at AW must know -- please share the info with us.
posted on November 8, 2002 12:21:24 PM new
Hello abqsales,
I am not sure why you are having trouble importing the csv file - I'll have to ask our engineers about that. I'd be happy to take a look in the meantime. Please email a sample file to [email protected], along with a link to this thread, so I can test it from here.
As far as an ETA, I am afraid I really don't know (sorry about that.) The project is in the planning stages now, but most functionality in BE should currently be available through Pro and online tools. I don't know when bulk editing will be available, but bulk relist is available online now.
Thank you for your patience, and I am sorry for any inconvenience.
posted on November 8, 2002 01:01:10 PM new
So what you're saying is that during the busiest selling time of the year, AuctionWatch 1) made a conscious decision (without informing users) to quit supporting an offline tool (SMBE), thereby making it only partially useful (no fixed price listings, for instance); 2) at the same time knew the other offline tool (SMPro) was lacking features contained in BE; and 3)had no concrete plans for resolving this problem?
This is incredible. I remember the big build-up for BE. I bought into it, as did others, and got to like the product. Then you pull it out from under us without a word and have nothing to take its place. And then you want us to refer people to AW?
You're correct, Diana, that bulk relisting can be done online. But what that doesn't take into account is how long it takes to edit an item online before relisting. You have to wait for page after page to open. It's fast and simple in BE.
This is just terrible customer support, compounded by a lack of straight answers. "Inconvenience" doesn't even begin to cover it. This is becoming a very troubling situation.
[ edited by abqsales on Nov 8, 2002 01:02 PM ]
posted on November 11, 2002 04:15:24 AM new
Hello abqsales,
This is the suggested procedure for importing the SMBE inventory into SMPro.
1. Please make sure you are using SMPro v4.2, build 1010. You can check this
by clicking Help > About. If your current build is not 1010, please download
SMPro again from:
http://www.auctionwatch.com/my/client/
2. Click the SMBE menu entry Tools > Create Reports... > Inventory Export,
and save the resulting .csv file to your hard disk.
3. Click on the SMPro menu entry Tools > Inventory Importer > Text file -
Comma Separated fields, then select the inventory file saved from SMBE.
4. On the Field Matching screen, the suggested mapping is:
Please make sure that you name the above mapping "SMBE", and check "Save as
new association". This will allow you to use it again, without having to go
through the whole field selection process.
5. Then, choose to start import from record 2, and click Finish.
posted on November 12, 2002 02:37:15 AM new
Hello,
SMPro allows for the import of multiple image columns in the .csv file, all mapped to 'Image'. Thus all 4 SMBE images should be copied to the SMPro inventory item.
If this did not happen, please double check the .csv file by opening it with a text editor; make sure that all image columns have been mapped in the SMPro importer; also, please synchronize both SMPro and SMBE so that all images are available in both programs.
posted on November 12, 2002 05:46:14 PM new
Radu:
Thanks for the information. I haven't had an opportunity to try it yet because I'm away from the computer that has the programs on it. I did do everything down to naming it and clicking save as new association. What is gained by starting the export at record 2 however?
To Thyme:
Too bad this thread is so unnecessary. We're having to screw around with this right in the middle of the busiest selling period of the year. Wonderful planning, AW.
