SKU canonicalization

Also known as canonicalization. Category: E-commerce and workflow

Canonicalization converts identifiers to a single standard form, for example by trimming, uppercasing and removing special characters, before comparing them. Without it, sku_12345 and SKU-12345 look like different products.

How PhotoRobot uses it

Integrators canonicalize SKUs from the upstream system before importing a shooting list, so PhotoRobot does not create duplicate items. Covered in module I03, Shooting List & SKU Lifecycle.

  • SKU (stock keeping unit): A retailer's internal code for one distinct product variant.
  • Shooting list: The list of items to be photographed in a project, usually imported from a spreadsheet.
  • Mapping table: An integrator's table linking canonical SKUs to PhotoRobot item IDs and external IDs.
  • External ID: The customer's own product identifier stored with a PhotoRobot item, for syncing status back.

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