Automatic import
We recommend managing the listings using our real-time API. With this real-time API, you can manage your listings without delay and in all languages. The csv-based automatic import will no longer be developed any further and only supports German and English.
Composition of the Import File
To make the import a simple matter we use CSV (Character Separated Values) text files. These files are arranged like a table.
Every ad consists of one line. Lines are marked by word-wrap.
Each line consists of 32 columns. Each column contains information, like, for example, machine type, machine manufacturer or price. Columns are separated by separators (See hints).
Hints for developers:
- Format: CSV
- Character encoding: UTF-8 or ISO 8859-1/ latin1
- Separators: Tab, comma or semicolon
- Cells can be encased in quotation marks.
- Example-Import-File
The Import Process
#1 Creating import fileMost likely you’re going to export your data from a database to import them to Machineseeker. Therefore you’ll have to develop a singular export routine. Subsequent, with only a few clicks, you create an import file to upload to Machineseeker. Directions to that please find further below.
#2 Validating the import file on your partFollow this link to our validation - (only for logged in users). Now you’ll see a detailed report. In case your file contains major errors or minor warnings, they are displayed here.
#3 Fully automated importAfter you have fixed possible errors, you can fully automate the process of synchronizing your database with Machineseeker. To achieve that, you have to make your import file available to us on a server of your choice. After that is done, log in to your account and navigate to "Data Import" > "Automatic Import" and follow the instructions provided on the Page. After you have saved the changes, your file will be uploaded once every night.
Hint: The fully automated import always deletes all non-updated ads.
Create, Update, Delete
You can create new ads and update existing ads. Therefore we use the stock number (Cell No. 30). It is not possible to assign the same stock number multiple times. They must be unqiue within your ads.
The system checks for an already existing ad for a given stock number. If the number is already in use, it won’t create a new ad, but update the exiting ad instead.
Hint: In case of an update we delete the existing information and replace it by the new data from the import file.
Warning: Existing ads, which are not part of the import, will be deleted.
Embedding Pictures, Documents and Videos
Same as with the manual ad management, you have the continuing ability to provide pictures, and documents with the import tool. Since media files can grow quite big, you’ll not upload them directly.
Instead, you provide a link (URL) to those files within the import file. The import robot will later execute the download. During this process images will be optimized for display on Machineseeker. All files are checked for malicious code (viruses etc.).
You can also embed videos via Youtube-ID.
Sorting and Date of Creation
The sequence of ads on Machineseeker result lists, is massively influenced by the date of ad creation. For manually provided ads the creation date can be refreshed (renewed) once a month. This way we prevent the malpractice of pushing ads to the top of result lists.
Warning: All ads provided over the import tool get the creation date evenly spread over the time period of one month, regardless of their actual creation time. This way we aim to eliminate the risk of people permanently recreating existing ads as new ads to climb to the top of result lists.
Mandatory Cells (CSV)
For each cell (column) of the import file apply specific rules. Below we document them and offer some hints for implementation
Optional cells may always, regardless of restrictions, be empty. But they must be present (by two following separators).
Warning: Basically HTML code, email or web addresses (URLs) are forbidden within cells.
Please provide the machine description in German language, e.g. „Schwerdrehmaschine“.
This cell is required (3 characters minimum), if the english description cell is empty.
A maximum of 50 characters is allowed.Please provide the machine description in English language, e.g. „Heavy Duty Lathe“.
This cell is required (3 characters minimum), if the german description cell is empty.
A maximum of 50 characters is allowed.Please provide the manufacturer name, e.g. „Ravensburg“.
This cell is optional.
A maximum of 50 characters is allowed.Please provide the type designation, e.g. „FP5NC“.
This cell is optional.
A maximum of 50 characters is allowed.Please provide detailed information about the technical specifications of your machine in German.
This cell is required (15 characters minimum), if the english technical data cell is empty.
You can wrap lines by using the XHTML entity <br/>. This is only allowed in cells for technical data!
A maximum of 10.000 characters is allowed.Please provide detailed information about the technical specifications of your machine in English.
This cell is required (15 characters minimum), if the german technical data cell is empty.
You can wrap lines by using the XHTML entity <br/>. This is only allowed in cells for technical data!
A maximum of 10.000 characters is allowed.This cell may contain numbers larger 1900 until the current year or the value “unbekannt” (meaning “unknown”).
Empty cells will throw a warning and the system assumes an unknown year of construction.
This cell is not used anymore. The condition is defined with cell 31.
This cell is not used anymore. The condition is defined with cell 31.
This price is solely displayed to traders registered with Machineseeker.
This cell is optional.
Example:1800
A maximum of 50 characters is allowed.Further information regarding the trade price, like:
- Currency
- Fixed price or basis for negotiation
- Information regarding VAT
Example:EUR ONO incl. VAT
Please provide the hours of operation as natural number.
Decimal point or text is not allowed.
This cell is optional.
Please provide the unique serial number of your machine, e.g. "WMMB848473934932".
This cell is optional.
A maximum of 50 characters is allowed.Please choose the location freely. E.g. "Southampton, UK"
This cell is optional.
A maximum of 50 characters is allowed.There can be put up to 15 picture (JPG) URLs in this field, separated by spaces. Please ensure the pictures are available and the URLs are correct.
All pictures are optional. The system will throw a warning in case you don’t provide picture no. 1 (used for previews). Import is nonetheless possible.
The cells 16 to 20 were used to set pictures in the past. They are still used, if cell 1 does not contain more than one URL.
URL to a document containing data about the machine. Please ensure the document is available and the URL is correct.
The following formats are supported: PDF, RTF, TXT, HTML, XLS oder Word.
The document size should not exceed 5 MB.
This cell is optional.
A maximum of 250 characters per URL is allowed.This cell is not used anymore. Videos can be added via Youtube-Video-ID in field 35.
Please provide a the number of the main category where to publish the machine.
For easy access to category numbers please use the category tree tool.
This cell is required!
Dieses Feld ist ein Pflichtfeld!
Only valid numbers are allowed.If available, please provide a subcategory of the chosen main category.
For easy access to category numbers please use the category
tree tool.
Please
select a main category to display the available subcategories.
This cell is optional.
In case you don’t provide a valid category number – or no number at all – your ad
will be shown
in
the keyword search. The category browsing feature of Machineseeker will not show
this ad!
Only valid numbers are allowed.
Adding a subcategory increases the visibility of your machine tremendously. We strongly encourage you to provide it!
Only valid numbers are allowed.Same procedure as with the subcategory. If available, provide a second level subcategory. Please select a main category and a subcategory to display the available second level subcategories.
This cell is optional.
In case you don’t provide a valid category number – or no number at all – your ad
will be shown
in
the keyword search. The category browsing feature of Machineseeker will not show
this ad!
Only valid numbers are allowed.
Adding a second level subcategory increases the visibility of your machine tremendously. We strongly encourage you to provide it!
Only valid numbers are allowed.
Please enter the price of the machine as natural number here.
Cent values, thousands separators and currency designation (20,000.00 $) are not
allowed. A
value of
“0” as price is also invalid and will be removed automatically.
This cell is optional.
Please provide a number between 1-10.
The numbers represent the following price options:
Fixed price:
1 ONO inc. VAT
2 ONO plus VAT
3 ONO VAT not reclaimable
4 FFP inc. VAT
5 FFP plus VAT
6 FFP VAT not reclaimable
Hidden price:
7 HP FFP plus VAT
8 HP FFP VAT not reclaimable
9 HP ONO plus VAT
10 HP ONO VAT not reclaimable
Either only the fixed price or only the hidden price can be imported. Simultaneous import of both prices is not possible.
To enable automatic replies to inquiries for a listing, please select one of the hidden price options (digits 7-10) here. When an inquiry is received, an offer stating the hidden price is automatically sent to the interested party.
This cell is optional.
If you do not provide any or incorrect information, the system automatically selects
"5" (FP plus VAT).
The time period, after which the ad is deactivated automatically. In case of an update (same stock number) the new value will override the old one and therefore result in a longer or shorter life span.
Valid values are numbers from 1 to 6 (months lifespan), ISO date (YYYY-MM-DD) or ISO date time (YYYY-MM-DD hh:ii:ss).
Example ISO date: 2010-05-25
Example ISO date and time: 2010-05-25 14:45:35
Please consider that the ISO year always consists of four numbers, month and day and time always consists of two numbers (leading zero).
This cell is optional.
In case of malformed or missing data the system automatically assumes 6 months.
Warning: A date in the past will delete the machine ad!
Please provide your stock number.
You are not limited to numbers.
The stock number is used to identify machines already published on Machineseeker.
These will be
updated instead of creating a new ad.
Therefore your stock number must be unique! It can’t be used multiple
times!
This cell is required!
New machines or machines from exhibition have to be marked as such.
| New machines | = | Brand-new machines |
| Showroom machine | = | Machines with few hours of operation at a reduced price. |
| Used machines | = | Machines with hours of operation, once owned by customers. |
Only the following values are valid: neu (new), gebraucht (used) und ausstellung (showroom).
This cell is required!
Hint: If the year of construction is stated and it lies more than two years in the past, this cell may be left blank. In that case the value will default to "gebraucht".
Optional Cells
Hint: The following cells don’t need to be present. A file with just 32 columns is valid.
Please provide the Incoterm code to be shown next to the
public or the hidden price (field 27).
Valid values are:
EXW Ex Works
FCA Free Carrier
FAS Free Alongside Ship
FOB Free on Board
CFR Cost and Freight
CIF Cost, Insurance & Freight
CPT Carriage Paid To
CIP Carriage and Insurance Paid to
DAF Delivered at Frontier
DES Delivered Ex Ship
DEQ Delivered Ex Quay
DDU Delivered Duty Unpaid
DDP Delivered Duty Paid
If you don’t provide terms, or in case of malformed terms, this cell will not be
shown.
Please bear in mind that all Incoterms are written in capital letters.
Please provide the Incoterm code to be shown next to the trade price
(field 10).
Valid values are:
EXW Ex Works
FCA Free Carrier
FAS Free Alongside Ship
FOB Free on Board
CFR Cost and Freight
CIF Cost, Insurance & Freight
CPT Carriage Paid To
CIP Carriage and Insurance Paid to
DAF Delivered at Frontier
DES Delivered Ex Ship
DEQ Delivered Ex Quay
DDU Delivered Duty Unpaid
DDP Delivered Duty Paid
If you don’t provide terms, or in case of malformed terms, this cell will not be
shown.
Please bear in mind that all Incoterms are written in capital lettters.
Provide the ID of a Youtube video. The video is shown directly within your machine ad.
The valid value is only the ID of the video. The following example shows this part:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZ34RDn34Ws
This cell is optional.
If you don’t provide data or the data is malformed, the video will not show.
Provide the latest update date of the machines.
The format is an ISO timestamp. The assumed time zone is MEZ.
Example: 2014-03-24 16:59:03
We strongly encourage you to use this feature! This way pictures and documents are only transferred when needed. Else they will be transferred with every single import process, usually daily, even when they are unchanged.
This cell is optional.
If you don’t provide data or the data is malformed, all media will be downloaded.
Listings in categories marked with
appear on Machineseeker.