datafeed experts: need to pick and choose the records I insert

want only those that match all of the fields

[walkman]

brand new at feeds so please go gently ;). I will hire someone to do it, btu I need to know what can be doen first, it may not be worth to do it at all.
1. Suppose I have the datafeed from linkshare, 100+ merchants.
Can I insert into MySQL only merchants that match (all of) about 7 fields, like retail price, sale price, image, category etc.? If a store doesn't have the 7 required (by me) fields, that store's feed is not entered in my database. I looked at the sample feeds but can't tell how one would tell which one is what, (why is let's say) "Computers" the category and not the title of a product? The fields are in order, like Product name is field #4 and so on, right?

2. Is it hard to "match" (in mysql) the Linkshare feeds with CJ's, or do I need a new table for them? Where would I get the "field" order from (before paying, that is)?

3. How are the stores identified on the datafeed? By store name or ID? I mean, how does one pull the Dell products for example.

sorry for the most likely simple questions, just this is new to me and I need to know what I can do before shelling the $$ for the feeds. This way I can plan ahead too.

thanks again,

[MrSpeed]

I don't know anything about Linkshares datafeed but if I were to combine datafeeds from different merchants I would do it in Excel and then upload it. I would probably add a new column with the merchants name too.

[walkman]

unfortunately I can't do it manually every day. It would way too time consuming.

[eljefe3]

I would say either hire someone to write you software that will do what you want, or buy some ready made software that is written for this type of thing. Do a search for "datafeed software" and see if anything ther matches what you are looking for.

[walkman]

Hi,
I will hire someone, but I need to know if it can be done.

[MovingOnUp]

All of what you describe can be done.

[walkman]

thank you,
I know it will be a burden on the server during the insertion, but I'll do it early in the morning. I think it's better than having the server slower all day because of 5 *illion products, that are not being used to begin with.

thanks again,

"All of what you describe can be done."