Frequently Asked Questions About Uploading Inventory to Mectronic.net

 

FAQ's

What format is required for uploading files?

How many part numbers or manufacturers can we include in our file?

Are there restrictions on special symbols or text?

If we are in a factory program, are we restricted to listing only that factory's part numbers?

After we send our initial file through your website, how do we upload our file?

How do we get a user ID and password?

What is FTP?

Where do I get an FTP client?

I have the freeftp.zip file. How do I open it?

How do I install FreeFTP and use it?

I need further assistance or require specific answers.

Is there a fee involved in uploading?

Q: What format is required for uploading files?

A: We currently accept two formats. Excel and Text files. If you choose text format, each line must look like this: "Part Number","Manufacturer","Quantity" The double quotes and commas must be included in the file. Please do not include headers. Three fields are all that is required in the order shown. If you choose to use Excel format, it should look like this:

Part Number Manufacturer Quantity Product Description

Only four fields are required in the order shown without quotes, commas, and without column headings.

The file name for all uploads should include the ID# Mectronic.net assigns to your Company. If Mectronic.net assigns ID# 1234 name your file 1234.xls or 1234.csv or 1234.txt. Click here for an example

Q: How many part numbers or manufacturers can we include in our file?

A: The only restriction is the file must remain under 10 MB.

Q: Are there restrictions on special symbols or text?

A: If quotes are required in your file (for inch marks) use the Excel format for file uploading.

Q: If we are in a factory inventory upload program, are we restricted to listing only that factory's part numbers?

A: No. You may include all other Manufacturer's part numbers and there is no charge.

Q: After we send our initial file through your website, how do we upload our file?

A: You log in to our FTP server with the user ID and password we supply you.

Q: How do we get a user ID and password?

A: You must first send your formatted file attached to the following "ACCOUNT SET UP" form for approval. Once your file completes a successful upload we will send an AUP (Auto Upload Page) email to you. Go to this form page and attach your file: http://www.mectronic.com/scripts/distload.asp.

Q: What is FTP?

A: FTP is a protocol and it stands for "File Transfer Protocol". It is a way of transferring files between a server and a client.

Q: Where do I get an FTP client?

A: There are many available on the Internet. Some are free and some require a fee. A good place to get one is at http://www.tucows.com. A simple program called Free FTP can be found by doing a search for "freeftp" (note you should type it as one word).

Q: I have the freeftp.zip file. How do I open it?

A: You need a program that can "unzip" files with the .zip extension. One program called WinZip can be found at http://www.winzip.com/downauto.cgi?winzip80.exe.

Q: How do I install FreeFTP and use it?

A: Follow these steps:

  1. Once the installation has begun (it is started when you see a blue background), press "OK" at the welcome screen.
  2. Press the icon that looks like a computer
  3. It will then let you know that the installation was complete, press "OK"
  4. It will ask you to restart Windows, press "Yes"
  5. Once Windows restarts, the program is then installed. So you can open it by going to "Start" (it's in the left hand corner), then to "Program", and finally to FreeFTP. The program will then start.
  6. The program will ask you what language you would like it in, press your desired language and then continue.
  7. When the program has opened up completely, in the lower right hand corner select the directory where the file you wish to upload is located.
  8. When you are in the correct directory, you should see the file in the lower left hand box. Click on the file (in the lower left hand box) once. The file should be highlighted.
  9. In the top right hand corner there will be another box labeled "Enter the FTP's URL Here:", in that box type mectronic.com.
  10. Under that should be two other boxes labeled "User ID" and "Password". Type the user ID and password we supplied you with there.
  11. Then under that should be a box labeled "Connect", press that box once. You will know if you're connected when you see two directories in the top left hand corner labeled "failure/" and "success/".
  12. When you see those two directories, press the arrow with the word "send" next to it (It's located in the middle of the program and a little to the left). When it finishes uploading you can exit the program and you are done.

Q: I need further assistance or require specific answers.

A: Contact technical support at support@mectronic.com.

Q: Is there a fee involved for uploading?

A: There is absolutely No Charge or Cost to any Distributor (World-Wide), for uploading inventory to Mectronic.com.

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