XML Integration
Summary
XML is a structured, text-based format Flxpoint uses to exchange product, inventory, pricing, and order data, either through scheduled FTP file feeds or live API responses, with each field mapped to a matching Flxpoint field.
XML is a structured, text-based format used to exchange product, inventory, pricing, and order data. Flxpoint consumes XML in two ways: scheduled files pulled from an FTP server, or live responses returned from a supplier API. Either way, the XML fields must be mapped to Flxpoint's fields.
- Structured data — custom tags describe each value in plain text.
- FTP file feeds — scheduled bulk files pulled from an FTP server.
- API responses — live XML returned on request for real-time data.
- Field mapping — each XML field is linked to a Flxpoint field.
Flxpoint supports two ways of receiving XML data:
| Type | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| FTP file feeds | The supplier uploads XML to an FTP server; Flxpoint downloads it on a schedule and processes it. | Scheduled, bulk data |
| API-driven responses | Flxpoint requests data from the supplier API and processes the returned XML in real time. | Real-time data, low storage |
Connection or timeout errors. Messages about delays or an inability to connect usually mean an unstable FTP/API connection or a busy supplier system. Confirm the connection is stable and retry; transient supplier load often clears on its own.
Permission or authorization errors. Notifications that the account is not authorized point to wrong credentials or missing access. Verify the username/password or API key, then confirm with the supplier that the account has permission.
Data format or parsing errors. Alerts about reading the file mean it is not valid XML. Open it in a text editor to check for stray characters before the XML declaration, and validate it with an online XML tool.
What are the two ways Flxpoint handles XML? Scheduled FTP file feeds and live API-driven responses.
Why is some product data missing or wrong? Almost always a mapping problem — review how each XML field is mapped to its Flxpoint field.
How do I check the raw XML? For FTP feeds, download the latest file and open it in a text editor or XML viewer. For API feeds, send a request with a tool like Postman or cURL and review the returned XML.
A file will not parse — what do I check first? Look for unexpected characters before the XML declaration line, and run the file through an XML validator.