Unique codes (ID) of categories, products and manufacturers in a modern online store

In a standard online store, as in any other modern accounting system, there are categories, products and manufacturers, like any other accounting system, they all have their own unique codes (ID) for subsequent identification within the online store database. Product categories can also have a second identification code that refers to the parent category to create a category hierarchy (a structure of categories and subcategories).

For example, product "A" has a unique numeric code 1(ID=1), has a link to a category with code 34, as well as a link to a manufacturer with code 14. At the same time, in the directory of categories, with code 34, there is a category "Inkjet", which has a parent category code equal to 11, while in the same directory of categories with code 11 the category "Printers" is listed. This means that: 11 is the main category ("Printers"), ie. the parent in relation to the category with code 34 ("Inkjet"), that is, 34 is a subcategory of 11, and product "A" with a unique code of 1 is in category 34, i. e. in the "Inkjet" category, and hence the hierarchy of categories and products is established. In the manufacturer's directory with code 14, the name of the manufacturer "B" is stored, because the product refers to this manufacturer, then it belongs to this manufacturer.

An example of storing data in a category directory:
ID | Parent ID | name of category
11 0 Printers
34 11 Inkjet
35 11 Laser
36 11 Matrix

All IDs are unique and cannot be repeated (except for the parent ID).

The structure of the site (online store), along with categories, products and manufacturers, as well as their IDs, must be loaded once into the Elbuz series program so that the program understands what category hierarchy currently exists, thereby giving it information about these unique codes so that it does not create the same ones and there are no overlaps of new codes with old ones. The program sets up price lists of suppliers and adds new products to the category from the online store, all adjustments and additions of goods, as well as deletions, everything must be done through the program.

Consider an example on the site.

//market.com/catalogmodels.xml?CAT_ID=108206
This link refers to the TV category, its unique code is 108206

//market.com/model.xml?hid=&modelid=6138284
This link refers to a product with a unique code 6138284

It is this data that the program needs.

It will be more correct, more functional and more profitable for you to load categories and products into the program once and already have a single accounting system. Then it will be possible to receive a consolidated price list, or update the store with this data, or both. Thus, you will have a reference accounting system in which you can make adjustments, keep track of the relevance of availability and prices. Easily update the store with this data and receive a summary price based on price lists from suppliers.

Store inventory management software.

Monitoring the prices of competitors on the Internet

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Yulia Portnova

Copywriter Elbuz

Words are my tool in creating a symphony of online store automation. Welcome to my literary cosmos, where every idea is a star on the path to a successful online business!