Integration with a development server

Question

We are currently in the process of redoing our main store front. I have set up a development server which currently replicates our production server. We would like to use the development server to re-theme the site, as well as do a major recategorization of our products. Then, on D-Day, the plan will be to migrate the changes (theme + categories) to the production site but obviously maintaining sales / customer data.

Any recommendations on how to do this? I don't mind scripting something, but would be more than happy to use an existing module.

I'm new to Magento but am familiar with PHP / MySQL / rsync etc.

Thanks

Answer 1

The best approach in my opinion is this:

1. For the theme. Obviously create a new theme under app/design/frontend/{interface}/THEME NAME HERE and skin/frontend/{interface}/THEME NAME HERE. Then use this theme only on your dev server. After migrating it to the live server, just change the theme name is System->Configuration->Design. This should be easy.

2. Now the hard(er) part. Categories. I recommend you to script the category creation in a custom module. Use the data folder of the module. See this for more details. In the files you put in this folder just create the category tree. Here is a small example:

   $mainCategory = Mage::getModel('catalog/category')
       ->setName('Main category')
       ->setPath('1/2') //add as subcategory of ROOT
       ->setDescription('Some description')
       ->setPostedProducts(array(5,8,9)) //and array with product ids
       ->setIsActive(1)
       ->setIncludeInMenu(1)
       ->setIsAnchor(1) //or 0
       ->save();
   $subCategory = Mage::getModel('catalog/category')
       ->setName('Sub category')
       ->setParentId($mainCategory->getId) //add as child of previous category
       ->setDescription('Some description for subcategory')
       ->setPostedProducts(array(1,3,4)) //and array with product ids
       ->setIsActive(1)
       ->setIsAnchor(1) //or 0
       ->setIncludeInMenu(1)
       ->save();

I wrote this of the top of my head. The script may need some modifications. but the idea seams OK.
now all you have to do to go live is to put on your live server the theme and your extension that scripts the categories. But before doing it live test it on a clone from your live server. And back-up your live server before trying it.