Automate symbols iteration using data merge

Hi! I'm looking for a way to automate symbols iteration using data merge in Illustrator (I'm also checking out options in InDesign).
What I need it for:
I work in a design studio which offers customizable stickers, labels and tags. Clients can place an order for a certain quantity of labels. We then customize the labels for them and print them out.
We work with the symbols panel in Illustrator - we have premade templates populated by blank placeholder symbols which we replace with however many instances of the customized product we need.
I am looking for a way to automate this process.
How I imagine this working:
For example, I create an excel spreadsheet where one column contains an image link to the finished customized label (exported as a jpeg, for example) and another column contains information about how many instances I need of it. I then run the script/plugin which takes the linked image and places it in my premade template however many times the spreadsheet says it needs to be placed.
Is this at all possible and how? Can I use the data merge panel for something like this? Is there a paid plugin/script which would allow me to do this?
Please advise. Thanks!