Connecting CS-Cart

How to connect a CS-Cart storefront to ChatRex and sync products, options, combinations, prices and balances.

Integration transfers an active directory of the selected CS-Cart storefront to ChatRex. The bot will be able to search for products, take into account options and combinations, check prices and balances and send the buyer a link to the product.

CS-Cart connects as a data source, not a channel. Buyers and orders through this integration are not transferred to ChatRex.

Before you connect

Prepare:

  • CS-Cart Administrator rights to install the add-on;
  • activated addition ChatRex;
  • the selected company or seller, showcase, language and currency;
  • server cron for background submission of directory changes.

The add-on only works to read the directory data from ChatRex. The connection area is fixed when pairing: the bot does not mix the products of different sellers, showcases, languages or currencies.

Installation of the supplement

  1. Find the ChatRex add-on in the CS-Cart Marketplace or use the installation package provided for your CS-Cart version.
  2. Install and activate the add-on in the admin panel.
  3. Set up a minute-by-minute chatrex_cron.php file launch on the store server. The path to PHP and the CS-Cart directory depends on the server configuration.

Example of the cron team:

cron
* * * * * /usr/bin/php /path/to/cscart/chatrex_cron.php 50

If you do not have access to cron, pass this step to the server administrator or hosting provider. Without a background job, directory changes won’t come regularly to ChatRex.

Connect

  1. In ChatRex, open Integrations.
  2. Select Connect integration, select CS-Cart and select Connect.
  3. On the Connection installation tab, click Generate code.
  4. In the CS-Cart panel, open Marketing → ChatRex.
  5. Choose a company or seller, showcase, language and currency.
  6. Read the terms of data transfer and confirm your consent.
  7. Enter a one-time code from ChatRex and select Connect.
  8. Return to ChatRex and wait for Connected status.

The code is valid until the time specified below it. If the deadline expires, Select Update code and reconnect.

Once connected, ChatRex displays the company, showcase, language and currency. Check them before setting up the bot actions.

What's in sync

  • active and visible products of the selected showcase;
  • categories and articles;
  • prices and currency;
  • Options and combinations;
  • availability and quantity in stock;
  • Public references to products.

Changes first fall into the local add-on queue, then are transmitted to ChatRex by the background task. A short delay after changing the product is normal.

Available actions

After connecting, add the necessary operations on the Integrations and actions. Their parameters and recommended sequence are described in the article Actions CS-Cart.

Verify the result

  1. Choose an active product with several options or combinations.
  2. Find it through ChatRex test chat.
  3. Compare the name, article, price and options with the selected storefront.
  4. Check the remainder of a particular combination.
  5. Get a public link and make sure it opens the item in the right storefront.

Disconnect

Open the CS-Cart integration settings in ChatRex and select Disconnect. This revokes access and stops catalog synchronization.

To reconnect, create a new code and re-select the data area in CS-Cart.