Realtime Mapping is a powerful tool that allows you bring products from your sales channels into Cloud Commerce Pro, as well as fixing unmapped items as orders come into the system.
This guide will walk you through the process of using the Realtime Mapping Tool for such a task.
1. Admin Centre
From the Admin Centre menu in Cloud Commerce Pro, click the "Order Dispatch" button.
2. Order Dispatch
On the Order Dispatch screen, click the "Unprocessed Orders" tab.
3. Unprocessed Orders
Each unprocessed order displays its particular error below it. If you see an error that states "SKU does not exist" it means the listing is not mapped to any items in Cloud Commerce Pro.
Click the magnifying glass button beside the item, as shown below, to continue.
4. Analysis
Here you will see the status of this listing and how, if at all, it is mapped into Cloud Commerce Pro. If the listing was mapped, it would display on the right hand side. In this example the listing is not mapped, therefore you see a message stating "No matching product found".
If you know the item already exists in Cloud Commerce Pro, you can look for it using the search box provided, which will allow you to map it right away.
For this example we are going to assume the item does not currently exist in the system. In that case we need to import it.
Click the "Import" button to begin the process.
5. Single Or Bundle
First you need to select if this will be a single item or a bundle, also known as a multipack. Cloud Commerce Pro will analyse the listing as much as possible and try to put the correct one on top, but it is worth double checking this before you continue.
For the purpose of this guide, we will be making a single product. Click "Single" to continue.
6. Realtime Mapping Tool
Welcome to the main part of the Realtime Mapping Tool. Here you will find all the elements that make up a product, split into three sections:
Required - The essential elements of your products that absolutely must be included for them to function correctly. Most of these will be fairly obvious, such as SKU codes and product names.
Recommended - These elements might not be essential to each and every product, but are likely to be used for most of them. Some good examples of these would be product descriptions or product dimensions.
Additional - Here we have elements that crop up on some of your listings, but are not typically required. These might include things like handling time information or elements related to purchase orders.
What elements are included in these sections depend on how the Realtime Mapping Tool was configured for you. If you need to change any of these, see our setup guide:
By default all of the elements show in expanded sections. If you prefer to hide them to remove some clutter from the screen, click the circular minus button above the section, as shown below.
The goal here should be to add enough information to at least reach 100% completion for the "Required" section, and as much as you can manage to do for "Recommended" and "Additional". The more information you add to your products, the more robust and reliable your listings will be.
Care should be taken when adding your core recommended data to ensure it is done correctly. Make sure SKU's and Product Range names are unique as this is a requirement of the system.
If the Product Range Name you enter already exists in CCP, your imported products will be added to that existing range, which may not be your intention.
For a more detailed look at SKU's and Range Names, see our handy CCP Basics series below:
What Is An SKU?
7. Adding Product Information
Fill in as much information as possible into each field. To help you in this process, the tool will show a brief description of exactly what each field means, so you are never left in the dark trying to understand jargon.
The tool will analyse the original listing and pull in as much information as possible to help you, such as product descriptions, names and SKU's.
Certain fields are designed so you can add multiple entries, such as barcodes. Enter the information in the text box provided and then click the plus button to add it. The new value will now display under "Saved Values". If you need to remove a value, simply click the cross besides it. Clicking the eye with a slash symbol will remove the value, but also hide it from future imports as well.
8. Linking Listings
The additional listings section allows you to link listings from other sales channels to the product you are importing. Use the search box provided to find other instances of the product, and then click the "Include" button to link them up.
9. Complete Product
Once you reach 100% for the "required" information, and you're happy with the amount of "recommended" and "additional" elements you have included, then you are ready to import the product.
Click the "Confirm" button at the bottom of the screen to finish the process.
