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Import products from SAP PIM

Import products from the SAP product information manager (PIM) via OData or Hybris data sources into Productsup.

Introduction

The SAP PIM (Product Information Manager) is a software extension that helps businesses organize all product information across different departments and track this data in real time. SAP PCM (Product Content Management) is one of the components of the PIM that manages the product content, such as product title and description.

You can import raw data from SAP PIM to Productsup to clean, optimize, and export it to different destinations.

To import data into Productsup from the SAP PIM solution, you can use the SAP PCM (oData) Hybris or SAP Hybris data sources added in Data Sources.

Hybris data sources

Tip

Productsup recommends using the SAP PCM (OData) data source since the setup doesn't require developer expertise to import SAP PIM data into the platform.

SAP PCM (OData) data source

OData (Open Data Protocol) is an open protocol for creating and consuming queryable and interoperable REST APIs in a standard way.

You can set up the SAP PCM (oData) data source into Productsup to import your data from SAP PIM to Productsup. But use it only if you import a smaller number of products. Importing several thousands of products may take a long time as the OData connector doesn't work with delta files, and the platform imports all products every time you run an import.

Productsup supports the following versions of SAP PCM (OData):

  • 19.05

  • 20.05

    Note

    To use classification in PCM, you must have version 20.05.

SAP Hybris data source

SAP Hybris is an alternative data source in Productsup for importing data from the SAP PIM. You can configure data import via the SAP PCM back-office UI or Impex. Impex is an SAP Hybris-specific language used to import data in a CSV/Impex file to a Hybris system. The Hybris system sends data exports to a CSV/Impex file. SAP Hybris creates a CSV export from Hybris and delivers it via FTP to Productsup. This method may require support from your IT team.

Productsup supports all Hybris versions, starting from v6.0.

Import products with SAP PCM (OData) data source

To import data from the SAP PCM into Productsup with the help of the SAP PCM (oData) data source, you need to configure the integration in the SAP back-office and set up a data source in Productsup.

Set up OData in the SAP PCM back-office

To let the Productsup data source and export destination work with OData, you must first set up OData in your SAP back-office:

Disclaimer

The Productsup Help Center doesn't bear any responsibility and accountability for the accuracy and relevance of the processes, features, UI elements, and other information mentioned in the following instructions about third-party websites and platforms. The following instructions aim to help the readers of the Productsup Help Center perform complex activities outside the Productsup platform while the official technical documentation of the website or platform in question doesn't provide relevant information on the needed activities.

  1. Create a user in the SAP PCM as follows:

    • Select the status Employee for the user.

    • Add the user to [employeegroup].

    • Select thepassword type Plain and set a password.

    • Give the user permission to access the OData web services and relevant catalogs.

    Note

    Productsup uses the base64 encoding to generate an authentication token using the Employee User username and password.

  2. Create three (3) mandatory OData Integration Objects:

    Note

    The entered values are case-sensitive.

    1. Catalog Version – This Object lets Productsup read catalogs from the PCM system. You can select PCM catalogs for data import and export.

      Create the Catalog Version Integration Object by entering the following values:

      • Name: catalogVersion

      • Root Type: CatalogVersion

      • Integration Type: INBOUND

    2. Language – This Object lets Productsup work with different languages.

      Note

      Productup recommends you have only one language per Productsup site. You can decide between two (2) options:

      • Create individual Productsup sites for each language to import data from PCM into Productsup.

      • Create separate Productsup exports for each language to export from Productsup into PCM.

      Create the Language Integration Object by entering the following values:

      • Name: language

      • Root Type: Language

      • Integration Type: INBOUND

    3. Endpoint – This Object is a custom endpoint, which lets Productsup read the available Integration Objects set up in PCM oData. You can decide which configuration or data model to use to populate the data.

      Create the Endpoint Integration Object by entering the following values:

      • Name: integrationObject

      • Root Type: IntegrationObject

      • Integration Type: INBOUND

  3. Create an optional Integration Object called Productsup.

    This Object lets you define which data attributes Productsup can edit. You can set up only a few attributes, such as description, title, or code. To set up the Productsup Object:

    1. Create the Productsup Integration Object by entering the following values:

      • Name: Productsup

      • Root Type: Product

      • Integration Type: INBOUND

    2. Define the data attributes you want to export.

Note

Contact support@productsup.com if you need assistance with integration. See Creating and Viewing a Product Integration Object for more information.

Set up OData in Productsup

In the Productsup platform, take the following steps to import data from your SAP PCM:

  1. Go to Data Sources from your site's main menu and select ADD DATA SOURCE.

  2. Search for SAP PCM (oData) and select Add. Give it a custom name as desired and select Continue.

    SAP PCM (oData) data source

  3. Enter the host link URL in Host and your PCM credentials in Authentication Token. You must encode your username and password credentials using the following format:

    • authenticationToken = base64_encode(username:password)

    Note

    If you have IP restrictions in your SAP system, you should enable a proxy and whitelist our IPs. You can find the list of the latest IPs in the Settings tab of your data source setup when you enable proxy. See Whitelisted IPs via Download Proxy.

    proxy.png

    If you need help with finding IPs, reach out to your Client Success Manager or contact support@productsup.com.

  4. Select Check Credentials to validate your token.

    Check credentials button

    Once SAP validates your credentials, you must configure extra settings to continue the data source setup:

    1. Select your desired catalog version from the Catalog Versions drop-down list.

    2. Select the Type Classes and Languages you wish to import from your SAP system and select Save.

      Type classes and languages for importing from your SAP System

  5. Enter the desired level of Attribute Nesting Threshold to limit the saved product attribute records for product variations. Level 1 is the lowest. The platform summarizes your nested values as JSON strings if your attribute records exceed the set threshold.

  6. In Description (optional), you can customize the data source name, which appears in your data source list. The customized description is the same name you entered in Step 2.

    SAP Hybris OData

  7. Select Save

  8. Select Import in the top-right corner of the page. The data from PCM appears at the import stage in Data View and Dataflow in Productsup.

Import products with SAP Hybris data source

If you choose to import products with the SAP Hybris option, take the following steps:

  1. Go to Data Sources from your site's main menu and select ADD DATA SOURCE.

  2. Search for SAP Hybris and select Add. Give it a custom name as desired and select Continue.

    SAP Hybris data source

  3. In Source URL, enter the path to your data.

  4. In Description (optional), you can customize the data source name, which appears in your data source list. This customized description is the same name you entered in Step 2.

  5. Enter your login credentials in Username (optional) and Password (optional).

    • You can also use an SSH key or basic authentication. To perform this, select the Password button to the far right and choose the needed op from the drop-down list.

    Note

    If you have IP restrictions in your SAP system, you should enable a proxy and whitelist our IPs. You can find the list of the latest IPs in the Settings tab of your data source setup when you enable proxy. See Whitelisted IPs via Download Proxy.

    proxy.png

    If you need help with finding IPs, reach out to your Client Success Manager or contact support@productsup.com.

  6. In Plugin (optional), if you require a custom setup, contact support@productsup.com to add the relevant information in this field.

  7. Select Save.

    SAP Hybris setup
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