Tools for creating data

WebSphere Commerce provides several tools to create and manipulate your store data. The following list describes the tools.

Tool and store data summary chart

The following lists the tools you can use to create each type of data.

WebSphere Commerce loading utilities

Core data
Use the loading utilities to load core data in the form of an XML file.
Configuration data
Use the loading utilities to load configuration data in the form of an XML file.
Managed data
Use the loading utilities to load managed data in the form of an XML file.
Operational data
In general, operational data cannot be loaded with the loading utilities. However, selected customer data may be loaded using the loading utilities.

Administration Console

Core data
When you publish a store archive using the Administration Console, the core data is created for you.
Configuration data
Not applicable.
Managed data
Not applicable.
Operational data
Not applicable.

Organizational Administration Console

Core data
Use the Organizational Administration Console to create and manage organizations.
Configuration data
Not applicable.
Managed data
The Organizational Administration Console may be used to approve contracts which affects the associated managed data
Operational data
Use the Organizational Administration Console to create or edit the following data:
  • Customers and buyers are created when they enter the store. However, with the Organizational Administration Console, you can also manage users and approve buyers, or create new ones.
  • The Organizational Administration Console may be used to approve orders and RFQs which affects the associated operational data

WebSphere Commerce Accelerator

Core data
Not applicable.
Configuration data
When you create an extended site, the config data is created for you.
Managed data
Use the WebSphere Commerce Accelerator to create or edit the following data:
  • Stores (extended sites business model)
  • Campaigns
  • Contracts (a default contract is necessary if you are an unregistered customer, or you do not have your own contract).
  • Marketing Experiments
  • Jurisdictions
  • Taxes
  • Shipping
  • Currency
  • Languages
  • Fulfillment
  • Promotions
  • Catalogs (a master catalog must exist in the database before you can use the Product Management tools in the WebSphere Commerce Accelerator to add or change product information. For a different view of your merchandise and services, create a sales catalog by changing the XML source. Use the Loading utilities or publish a store archive to create a master catalog in the database.)
  • Prices
Operational data
Use the WebSphere Commerce Accelerator to create or edit the following data:
  • Customers
  • Orders
  • WebSphere Commerce Enterprise RFQs

IBM Management Center for WebSphere Commerce

Core data
Not applicable.
Configuration data
When you create an extended site, the config data is created for you.
Managed data
Use the IBM Management Center for WebSphere Commerce to create or edit the following data:
  • Catalogs
  • Promotions
  • Marketing Campaigns
  • Marketing Experiments
  • Marketing Contents
  • Marketing Activities
  • Attachments
  • Managed files and directories
  • Prices
Operational data
Not applicable.

Stores

Core data
Not applicable.
WebSphere Commerce EnterpriseConfiguration data
WebSphere Commerce Enterprise Hubs may be used to create stores. This creates configuration data associated with the new store.
Managed data
Not applicable.
Operational data
Storefronts are used to create operational data, such as:
  • Orders
  • Users
  • WebSphere Commerce Enterprise RFQs