Configuring Federated Auto Parts

Before you can begin using Federated Auto Parts, you need to configure R.O. Writer to interface with the Federated catalog.

This topic includes the following configuration steps:

Step 1 - Check Your License

Step 2 - Configure Federated as an R.O. Writer Supplier

Step 3 - Add Federated to the Quick Launch and Smart eCat

Step 4 - Configure Federated as a Smart eCat Supplier

Step 1 - Check Your License

The integration with Federated Auto Parts is a licensed feature. When you check your license details, you should see Federated in your Licensed Options. If this feature is not included in the Licensed Options section, you may need to refresh your license.

If you would like to add this feature, please contact the R.O. Writer Sales team to update your license.

Step 2 - Configure Federated as an R.O. Writer Supplier

You need to create at least one supplier for AutoZone in R.O. Writer Configuration and then add one Electronic Ordering Interface to that Federated supplier.

Step 2a - Create the Federated Supplier

You need to create a supplier record for Federated in R.O. Writer Configuration.

Complete these steps:

  1. Open R.O. Writer Configuration The Configuration icon.
  2. Click Configuration menu > Parts > Suppliers. The Suppliers window opens.
  3. Click the Add button at the bottom of the window (to the right of the Save button).
  4. Click inside the Supplier Code field and type in the three-character code you want to use for Federated (for example, "FED").
  5. Click inside the Supplier field and type in the name you want to use for Federated. (This is the name that appears in most dropdown lists.)
  6. Click the Add button at the very bottom of the window. This saves the supplier and clears the fields.
    You need to save the Supplier Code and Supplier name first and then enter the rest of the supplier details.
  7. Select the Federated supplier in the Supplier dropdown list.

  8. Complete the supplier information as necessary.

    Federated selected as the supplier and the Information section circled.

  9. Click the Save button to save all the supplier settings.
  10. Click Close to exit.

Step 2b - Configure the Federated Interface

The interface enables Smart eCat and Smart eOrder to connect to the Federated online catalog when searching for parts.

R.O. Writer cannot provide you with your account information; you must obtain your account information directly from the supplier.

Complete these steps:

  1. On the Supplier window, select the Federated supplier in the Supplier dropdown list.

    The Add button circled in the electronic ordering interface section.

  2. In the Supplier Interfaces section, click the Add button.
  3. The interface window opens displaying Federated Auto Parts as the name of the supplier at the top of the window.

  4. In the Supplier Interface dropdown list, select Federated Auto Parts. The Connection Information section updates automatically.

    The connection information for Federated.

  5. Type in the Interface Name.
    • If you leave the Interface Name blank, the interface will be named "Federated Auto Parts" automatically.
  6. Check the Primary box to make this interface the primary interface for Federated.
  7. Check Post Order to Accounts Payable.
  8. Complete the interface settings:
    • User Name
    • Password
    • Member Number
    • Account ID
    • Application ID
    • Location ID
  9. Click Save. The main Suppliers window appears with the Federated interface in the Supplier Interfaces section.

    Federated in the Supplier Interfaces section.

  10. Click the Set Coverage File Download Options button to determine how coverage files download. Automatic is recommended.
  11. Click Save to save the Federated supplier with the new interface.

Step 3 - Add Federated to the Quick Launch and Smart eCat

After the Federated supplier has been configured with an interface, you need to make the Federated Auto Parts catalog available from R.O. Writer main. In the General Options setting, you add Federated to the Quick Launch and Smart eCat.

You need to repeat the following steps on each workstation that accesses the Federated Auto Parts catalog.

Complete these steps:

  1. Open R.O. Writer Configuration The Configuration icon.
  2. Click File menu > General Options.
  3. If the Show Catalogs Group box is not checked, check it.

  4. In the Catalogs section, check the Federated Auto Parts box.

    Federated selected on the General Options window.

  5. Click OK. The General Options window closes.
  6. If the R.O. Writer main module is open, close it and reopen.
  7. The Federated button appears in the:

    • Quick Launch.

      The Federated icon in the Catalogs section.

    • Smart eCat toolbar.

      The Federated icon in the Smart eCat Catalog toolbar.

You are now ready to access and use the Federated Auto Parts catalog!

If you want Federated parts included in default Smart eCat searches, you need to configure the supplier coverage for Federated in Smart eCat Configuration.

Step 4 - Configure Federated as a Smart eCat Supplier

This step allows you to search the supplier's catalog in Smart eCat integrated searches.

The Federated supplier section with a green checkmark on the phone icon.

Step 4a - Create the Coverage

After the supplier is created in R.O. Writer Configuration, you create the coverage for it in Smart eCat.

Complete these steps:

  1. Open Smart eCat by clicking the Smart eCat button in the Quick Launch. (You do not need to open a ticket first.)
  2. In the toolbar, click Configure The Smart eCat Configure toolbar button.. On the Catalog tab, the Smart eCat configuration tabs open to the Smart Buy tab.
  3. Click the Coverage tab.
  4. Click the Add/Edit Coverages button The Add/Edit Coverages button..
  5. Select Create a New Supplier and click Next.
  6. Type "Federated" in the Supplier field. This is the name of the supplier coverage.
  7. Click Finish. The Finish Supplier window opens.
  8. Click Perform Changes. The supplier coverage is created.
  9. Click Close. You are returned to the Coverage tab.
  10. Click Configure The Smart eCat Configure toolbar button. again to refresh.
  11. Click the Coverage tab. You will see the "Federated" supplier in the Suppliers Using Coverage list on the left side of the window.

To see Federated parts in searches, you need to download the coverage file from Federated.

Step 4b - Download the Coverage File

The coverage file is an .MCL file of part information from the supplier. You must download it so that Federated parts can be queried in Smart eCat searches.

Complete these steps:

  1. While Smart eCat is open, click the Update Coverages toolbar button The button you click to update coverages. . The Suppliers Coverage Update table appears displaying the coverages configured in Smart eCat.
  2. Select the Federated supplier coverage in the table.
  3. Click the Download and/or Update Coverage File for the Selected Coverage button The download and update coverages button..
  4. Wait as the coverage file downloads to the Federated supplier coverage.
  5. When the download is complete, the Download MCL prompt appears telling you the download was completed successfully.
  6. Click OK. The Federated coverage now contains the information from the Federated catalog.

You can now select Federated as a supplier in Smart eCat wherever the Supplier dropdown list appears. To add Federated to default Smart eCat searches, make sure the Federated supplier is included in the Smart Buy list.

Step 4c - Add Federated to the Smart Buy List

On the Options tab of Smart eCat Configuration, Smart Buy is the Default Coverage.

The Options tab with Smart Buy selected as the Default Coverage.

This means that the supplier coverages in the Smart Buy list are searched when a Smart eCat search is first performed. You can change the supplier coverage after the search.

Complete these steps:

  1. In the toolbar, click Configure The Smart eCat Configure toolbar button.. On the Catalog tab, the Smart eCat configuration tabs open to the Smart Buy tab.

  2. The Federated coverage should appear in the Included in Smart Buy column. If not, click the left arrow The black left arrow button. to move the Federated coverage to the Smart Buy column.

    Federated in the Smart Buy list.

  3. Make sure the Federated coverage entry is checked.

The Federated coverage is now configured for Smart eCat integrated searches.