Vtex to Sylius

Step 1: Pre-Migration Preparation

Objective: The pre-migration preparation is crucial as it sets the foundation for a smooth transition from VTEX to Sylius. This step involves auditing your current VTEX setup, understanding the data structure, and planning the migration strategy. A thorough preparation will help identify potential challenges and ensure data integrity during the migration process.

We will begin by conducting a comprehensive audit of your current VTEX store. This includes evaluating your product catalog, customer data, order history, and any custom configurations that are currently in use. This audit will help us to document what needs to be migrated and how to map this data to the Sylius platform.

• Data Inventory: List all data types you need to migrate, such as products, categories, customers, orders, and any custom attributes.
• Backup Data: Create a full backup of your VTEX store to ensure data safety. Use the following commands to export data:
• vt-exit --export for exporting product data.
• vt-exit --export-customers for customer data export.

Additionally, make sure to gather any necessary API credentials for Sylius, as these will be essential for the next steps in the migration process.

Technical Considerations: Understanding the differences in data structure between VTEX and Sylius is vital. For example, while VTEX handles product variations differently, Sylius allows for more flexibility with product attributes. Be prepared to adjust your data mapping accordingly.

Step 2: Data Mapping and Configuration

Objective: Data mapping is a fundamental step in the migration process, wherein we align the data fields from VTEX with those in Sylius. This is essential for ensuring that all data is properly transferred and maintains its integrity.

First, we will create a mapping document that outlines how each data point in VTEX corresponds to its equivalent in Sylius. For example:

• VTEX SKU maps to Sylius Product Code
• VTEX Product Name maps to Sylius Title
• VTEX Category maps to Sylius Taxon

Next, we will define configurations needed for the migration. This includes:

• Custom Attributes: Identify any custom attributes in VTEX that need to be replicated in Sylius. Document these attributes and their data types.
• Shipping and Payment Methods: Review the shipping and payment configurations in VTEX and ensure corresponding methods are set up in Sylius.

This step is crucial as it minimizes data loss and ensures a smooth transition to the new platform. Utilize Sylius's flexible structure to enhance your data model where necessary.

Step 3: Exporting Data from VTEX

Objective: This step involves exporting all necessary data from your VTEX store. The goal is to ensure that we have a comprehensive dataset ready for import into Sylius.

Using the VTEX API, we will execute data exports. Here’s how to proceed:

1. Access API Credentials: Ensure you have your VTEX API credentials handy. These are necessary for authenticating your requests.
2. Export Products: Use the following command to export your product information:
3. curl -X GET "https://{accountName}.vtexcommercestable.com.br/api/catalog_system/products" -H "X-VTEX-API-AppKey: {appKey}" -H "X-VTEX-API-AppToken: {appToken}"
4. Export Customers: Similarly, export customer data with:
5. curl -X GET "https://{accountName}.vtexcommercestable.com.br/api/dataentities/CL/documents" -H "X-VTEX-API-AppKey: {appKey}" -H "X-VTEX-API-AppToken: {appToken}"
6. Export Orders: Handle order exports with:
7. curl -X GET "https://{accountName}.vtexcommercestable.com.br/api/oms/orders" -H "X-VTEX-API-AppKey: {appKey}" -H "X-VTEX-API-AppToken: {appToken}"

Once the exports are complete, save these files in a structured format, preferably CSV or JSON, to facilitate the next steps in the migration.

Technical Considerations: Ensure that you handle any pagination in the API responses to avoid missing data. For large datasets, consider using batch exports to keep the process efficient.

Step 4: Setting Up Sylius Environment

Objective: Setting up the Sylius environment correctly is essential for a successful migration. This involves configuring the hosting environment, installing necessary dependencies, and preparing the database.

First, ensure that your server meets the required specifications for Sylius. This includes:

• PHP version 7.2 or higher
• MySQL or PostgreSQL database
• Composer for managing PHP dependencies

Next, we will proceed with the installation of Sylius:

1. Install Sylius: Use Composer to create a new Sylius project:
2. composer create-project sylius/sylius my-project
3. Set Up Database: Configure your database connection in the .env file:
4. DATABASE_URL="mysql://user:password@localhost:3306/dbname"
5. Run Migrations: Execute the following command to prepare your database:
6. php bin/console doctrine:migrations:migrate

After the setup is complete, confirm that your Sylius installation is accessible via your web browser. This ensures that the environment is ready for data import.

Technical Considerations: Ensure that necessary permissions are set for the web server user to access the Sylius project directory, and consider setting up a staging environment to test the migration before going live.

Step 5: Data Import into Sylius

Objective: The data import step is critical as it transfers all previously exported data from VTEX into Sylius. This step must be executed carefully to avoid data discrepancies.

To import data into Sylius, we will utilize the Sylius Importer and the structured data files prepared in the previous step. Here’s how to proceed:

1. Prepare Import Configuration: Create an import configuration file that maps the data fields to the corresponding Sylius entities.
2. Run Importer: Execute the import command in your Sylius directory:
3. php bin/console sylius:import:data --config=import_config.yaml
4. Monitor Import Process: Keep an eye on the console output to ensure that all data is imported without errors. If any issues arise, troubleshoot based on error messages provided.

Once the import is complete, verify the data integrity by checking key entities like products, orders, and customer accounts in the Sylius admin panel.

Technical Considerations: During the import process, ensure that any unique constraints or required fields in Sylius are met to avoid import failures. Consider importing in batches for larger datasets to manage server load effectively.

Step 6: Testing the Sylius Store

Objective: Testing is a vital step to confirm that the migration from VTEX to Sylius has been successful and that all functionalities are working as expected.

We will perform the following tests:

1. Functionality Testing: Verify that all core functionalities such as product browsing, cart operations, and checkout processes work correctly. Ensure that:
• Products are displayed correctly with accurate pricing and descriptions.
• Shopping cart functionalities (add, remove items) perform as expected.
• Checkout process works seamlessly, including payment processing.
2. Data Verification: Cross-check the data in Sylius against the original data in VTEX:
• Ensure that all products are present with the correct attributes.
• Verify that customer accounts and order histories are accurately migrated.
3. Performance Testing: Assess the performance of the Sylius store under load. Use tools like Apache JMeter to simulate traffic and monitor response times.

Document any issues found during testing, and work on resolving them before proceeding to go live.

Technical Considerations: Utilize Sylius's built-in testing functionalities where applicable, and ensure that you have a rollback plan in case critical issues are detected that require reverting to the VTEX platform.

Step 7: Going Live with Sylius

Objective: The go-live step marks the culmination of the migration process, transitioning fully from VTEX to Sylius and ensuring that your store operates smoothly.

To prepare for going live, we will follow these steps:

1. Final Data Check: Conduct a last review of the data in Sylius to ensure all products, customers, and orders are accurately represented.
2. DNS Configuration: Update your domain's DNS settings to point to your new Sylius environment. Ensure that:
• A backup of the original site is maintained until the migration is confirmed complete.
• DNS changes are propagated correctly.
3. Launch the Store: Once DNS changes are confirmed, launch the Sylius store publicly. Monitor the site for any immediate issues.

Post-launch, be prepared to address any customer inquiries or issues that may arise as users adapt to the new platform.

Technical Considerations: Keep a close watch on analytics and performance metrics immediately after the launch to identify and rectify any potential issues promptly.

Power Your Step - Get in Touch

Are you ready to power your ecommerce success with a seamless migration from VTEX to Sylius? At PowerCommerce, we specialize in providing expert support throughout the entire migration process. Our team is dedicated to ensuring that your transition is smooth, efficient, and tailored to your unique business needs.

Contact us today! Our migration specialists are here to assist you:

1. Visit our contact form to reach out.
2. Call us at 800-099-9090 for immediate assistance.
3. Email us at info@powercommerce.com for further inquiries.

Let us help you transform your ecommerce experience with our innovative solutions and unparalleled expertise!