Hi all,
I need a little advice on how to use a csv file to extract data and use on my website. My website has been under construction for way to long, so I need to finish it asap.
I have a wholesaler who has a csv file for their client's use. It is my understanding that this file is dynamically created so is up-to-date any time it's accessed. The file contains all the information I need for my website, SKU, catagory, long and short product description, weight, wholesale and suggested retail prices, inventory, and image link.
I'm trying to figure out the best way to use this information for my website. Mainly to keep the inventory up-to-date, so I'm not offering items for sale that either may not be restocked or my not be restocked until the start of a particular season, like scarves that I are sold out now (January) and will not be back in stock until September.
I have been working on this at localhost, and not on my live site. Currently, at localhost, I have been able to read the csv file and with that data, populate a website and also, create a MySQL database table.
The way the ordering process works is that I get an order either on my website or in person, then taking that information, go to the wholesaler's website and place the order. Because of this delay, I am concerned about selling items with a low or 0 inventory and then having to issue a refund. The wholesaler also supplies me with a retail catalog and selling items that were out of stock happened to me twice during the Christmas rush. I want to avoid this problem if at all possible in the future.
I guess my biggest question is, should I just work from the csv file, load everything into a MySQL table everytime my site is accessed, or a combo of the two (updating inventory when my site is accessed), OR something entirely different. Going from the csv file seems a little slow to me. There are 245 items on that site and it just seems like a db table would be a lot quicker and more efficient.
I was an intermediate level PHP/MySQL developer until 2008 when I got totally burned out and quit my job to open this and another small business. I play at programming some, but have not kept up with the latest technology.
Thanks,
Alisa
Dancing Bay Embroidery