What is your FILE TRANSFER PROTOCOL (FTP)?
The File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is offered to our Pro & Enterprise clients, is designed for quick access to Doba product data and inventory data. You may use an FTP client (such as FileZilla) or automate access (perhaps cURL cron job - linux/unix systems; AT task via Windows Task Scheduler/schtasks - Windows systems; etc.). The files found here are updated 4 times daily--at midnight, 6am, noon, and 6pm MST.
File Transfer Protocol is the ideal method of getting all product data, if you plan to list all Doba’s products. If you have or plan to create large inventory lists--e.g. 100,000 items or more per list--the Data Export Tool will likely experience errors because of the size of data in it.
The solution to this problem is the FTP, which can be used to populate a unique folder, specific to your account. Large inventory list with 100K+ products can be populated to those unique folders as you see necessary. This service allows lists to be populated in a format of your choice (custom format or existing export we have created for partners) into the unique folder. The request and details are listed below.
Unique FTP Folder & Modifications:
Should you have a need for a unique folder on the FTP, we can create one for you. Or, if you already have an existing FTP folder, you can request a modification. You will need to request it in the following manner:
Please send an email to support@doba.com, with the subject stating “FTP Folder Request”, and in the body of the email explain in detail what you need to occur.
The following is an example of our required email format:
To: support@doba.com
Cc:
Bcc:
Subject: FTP Folder Request
Body:
My retailer ID number is 1234567
I have a request for a unique FTP Folder that has my inventory lists populated there. I want them listed in the FTP folder in the BigCommerce Format. Those inventory lists are the following:
1) Books
2) Carousel - Books
3) Music - Books
4) Video Games
5) Entertainment
6) Furniture
Please give me a call at 801-555-1234
Sincerely,
Joe Schmoe
We will follow up with you via phone and or email to confirm the request and create the Engineering task to complete. Each of these changes are important and deserve special consideration and scrutiny. Because of that, there is usually a 2-week minimum lead time to complete these requests.
If there is a dire need to get the data and start utilizing it a certain way, you are free to continue using the Data Export Tool during the interim. The Persistent URLs provided with each Export are useful and allow for automation as an interim solution.
Once the FTP has the changes and they have been monitored for a business day, you are free to use the files, switching over from the Persistent URLs to the files on the FTP.
File Types:
Current file types offered are .csv and tab. They are all gzipped to speed up downloading.
Naming Convention:
Inventory Files: Inv_Category_Name.csv.gz
Inv_Category_Name.tab.gz
Product Files: Prod_Category_Name.csv.gz
Prod_Category_Name.tab.gz
The 9 Categories of the Doba catalog:
Apparel, Shoes & Jewelry
Automotive, Tool & Industrial
Books
Electronics & Computer
Games, Movies & Music
Health & Beauty
Home, Garden & Living
Kids, Baby & Toy
Outdoor & Sports
The additional 2 files provided with explanation:
Discontinued - Inventory file showing items with the status "Discontinued"
Uncategorized - Item’s category does not conform to Doba's. The item is still order-able and likely has all other required data to properly list and sell the item. These items are still found in the catalog, but usually only accessible via browsing the entire supplier's product offering.
