Sources

Choose who issued records

A source is the supplier, store or business system that issued the IDs in a file, such as Alder Supply or your Shopify store. Biosphere uses it to recognize the same records the next time they arrive, by upload, email or sync.

Understand why the source matters

• Mappings belong to a source. Biosphere recognizes a file’s columns only among the mappings saved for its source.
• IDs are matched within a source. Product 1001 from Alder Supply and product 1001 from another supplier are different records.
• One source, every channel. Use the same source for a supplier’s uploads, emails and other deliveries. Use separate sources for separate supplier or store accounts.

How a file arrived (upload, email or sync) doesn’t decide its source. You do.

Choose the source when you upload

In Source above the upload area, choose the source before you drop the files. Every file in that upload gets it, and an automatic mapping for that source can apply as soon as the file is read.

Choose the source in a review

1. Open the source in Inbox.
2. In From, choose who issued the records. Until you do, the review says “Choose the source above to map these records.”
3. To add a new one, type its name, choose Create “Alder Supply”, then select Create source.

Biosphere then looks for a saved mapping from that source.

Change the source

1. In From, choose a different source.
2. Biosphere asks “Change issuing source?”. Changing clears the mapping choices for this arrival, so you map and review it again. The original stays.
3. Select Change source to go ahead, or Keep source to cancel.

Once changes from an arrival are approved, or a complete export is confirmed for it, its source can’t change. To use a different source, upload the file again as a new arrival.

Rename or archive a source

1. In a review, select Edit source.
2. Change Source name, or set Status to Archived.
3. Select Save source.

Archiving stops new imports and approvals from that source. Its records, links and originals stay. Set the status back to Active to use it again.

What to know

• Each source name is used once in your business, ignoring case. If a name is taken, choose that source or enter a different name. Two sources never merge, even with similar names.
• Each connected Shopify store gets its own source automatically, named after the store.
• Email arrivals never get a source on their own. Choose one for each attachment and message.
• Parts of an uploaded email file don’t take the source chosen at upload. Choose it for each part.
• The source isn’t a contact. Creating a source doesn’t create a vendor in Contacts.