Since product data imported from SEMA Data will need to use some sort of structure in your X-Cart store, it is presupposed that the products imported from SEMA Data will be placed in categories. SEMA Data uses its own elaborate category structure for products, and one of the features of X-Cart's SEMA Data integration is that it allows you to re-create this structure (both the category names and hierarchy) in your store's catalog without having to configure those categories in your store manually from scratch. The integration can automatically create in your X-Cart store the category structure utilized by the products of your approved brands in SEMA Data. This is done through category import.

The import of provider categories can be initiated manually from the Category Mapping tab using the "Import Categories" button. This button allows you to import categories either before or after importing brands.

After the start of a category import process, you should be able to see the

respective status messages at the top right-hand side of the screen.

Please be aware that the import of categories may take a considerable amount of time. You can check on the import progress by refreshing the page. On each refresh, the page will show the current status of the import process. While the category import is in progress, the status will be "Categories data import in progress".

Once the import of categories has been completed, the page will show the status message "Categories data import completed".

Note the Sync Categories button that appears at the bottom of the page after the start of the import process. This button can be used to synchronize your store's categories with SEMA Data catalog. For example, if SEMA Data adds new categories to their catalog, you can easily import these categories using the Sync Categories button. Also, if the category import process fails for whatever reason, you can use the button to re-launch it.

After importing categories, you will be able to configure category mapping rules and specify, which categories to import products from for each brand.

Please note that importing categories according to the instructions in this article will not change your store's category structure. Categories imported from SEMA will appear in the store structure only after products have been imported from SEMA Data and category mapping rules have been applied.

Related pages: