Magento DataFlow

Dataflow profile definition

Dataflow of data exchange process is called profile and defined as XML structure. Magento provides simple wizard-like tool for generation of some basic import/export profiles operating on products or customers entities. Advanced profiles manager is also provided for advanced users able to create XML defining profile without wizard tool and with need to use more custom dataflow operations related also to other entities.

Basic concept is that data exchange process is a set of actions. Each action executes part of the process, depending on its type, which can be for example parsing one set of data into another one with parser or collecting data from a resource with adapter. Common data, passed from action to action is stored within profiles batch container.

As a first implementation, Magento's next release will preview a product import/export interface that facilitates adding and/or editing batched product data via a file (MS-EXCEL, CSV and Tab-Separated values), and a customer batch export interface. Others uses for Magento DataFlow may include:

  • Batch export of any type of data in any implemented format and the ability to import back after changes.
  • Data export for pricing aggregators (eg. Shopping.com, PriceGrabber, Bizrate, etc.), including the ability to automatically FTP files.
  • Data import and integration with 3rd party ERP / inventory management / accounting applications (eg. SAP, Great Plains, MAS 90/2000, Oracle, Netsuite, Quickbooks, Peachtree, etc.)
  • Integration with 3rd party CRM solutions (eg. SugarCRM, SalesLogix, Salesforce.com, ACT, etc.)
  • Integration with order management applications and EDI interfaces
  • Fetching or publishing RSS/Atom feeds (eg. new products, special prices, product availability, order status, etc.)

It is important to note that Magento DataFlow is a framework and the specific implementations listed above should serve only as examples of the endless possibilities that can be developed.

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