Why it's important
There are pre-built connections with many channels, like shopping carts, marketplaces, and selling tools. These integrations get information from your channels as well as send data back to them.
Typically, these integrations bring orders into the system, send updates related to shipping or fulfillment back to Shipedge, and update inventory availability from Shipedge to the channel.
Adding Channel Connections
You can connect a channel by going to orders > integrations > channel automation (big green button) in your OMS account.
From there, you can see the full list of pre-built integrations.
Find the channel you need to connect from the list
Input a channel name & click "Add new store"
Put in your authentication or API parameters in the first section
Then click "Save configuration"
When you are ready, set up the following sections;
Orders - Filling out the necessary information and checking the box next to Orders will start the order sync process. If you want to pull in some orders right away, you can always click the "Get orders!" button.
Update Tracking Number - Checking this box will allow tracking information related to shipping and fulfillment to update orders back in the channel.
Update Inventory - We recommend that you test order syncing first before turning this on. Also, before turning this on, make sure that inventory availability is correct so you don't override good counts in the channel. When you turn this on, we will update inventory availability automatically back to the channel.
Sync SKUs - This will update SKU counts back to the channel
Sync Synsets - If you have any kits or aliases set up, this will update potential stock availability based on available to kit (component stock calculations) or tied SKUs for aliases.
Managing Channel Orders
There are some extra steps you should take to ensure that orders
Shipmethod Mapping
When orders come in from channels, they usually bring in some data from the channel on what shipping method should be used. This data needs to be mapped using the shipmethod mapping settings view for each channel. That way, Shipedge knows how to ship each order to complete fulfillment.
This view is accessible by going to orders > integrations > click the clipboard icon next to an integration
Error Handling for Orders
Sometimes, due to missing information, unmapped data, or other scenarios order may go into an API error status.
You will see an API errors box in your orders view with the amount if there are orders stuck in this status.
You can click the orange API Errors box to go to the full view and fix errors.
Inventory Syncing
Inventory availability can be sent to channels to avoid overselling. Reserved or non-available stock includes product reserved for orders, buffer stock, or other usage. For kits, we can also send the finished kit stock availability based on component availability.
Checking the Sync Inventory setting for SKUs sends inventory availability for all your SKUs to the channel. Checking the Synsets button sends possible kit stock availability based on component stock as well. You can use these one at a time or together.
More Channel Settings
There are other channel settings that can be used with the channel after it’s been set up; these can be managed by going to orders > integrations > then clicking the wrench icon next to a channel
Hold if over sold price | Automatically place the order on hold if its total value exceeds the defined price threshold. |
Signature if over sold price | Require a delivery signature when the order total surpasses the specified order sold price. |
Reserve percentage from Inventory sync | Allows you to hold back a percentage of available inventory from being synced to the sales channel to prevent overselling. |
Add Suffix # | Adds a default identifying number or suffix to orders imported through this integration for easier tracking. |
Divide Available | Automatically splits up an order into separate shipements between backordered items and available inventory. |
Residential Check | Marks order as residential or commercial addresses automatically for shipping data. |
Insure when total order value exceeds | Automatically applies shipping insurance when the total order value exceeds the entered amount. |
Include UOM Pack qty for Inventory Sync | Syncs inventory quantities based on the defined Unit of Measure (UOM) or pack quantity instead of individual units. |
Fulfill dropship items | Enables the system to automatically fulfill orders containing dropship products through connected supplier integrations. |
Stand By Order | Marks the order as pending or “on standby” until manual review or confirmation before fulfillment. |