Configuring Supplier Interfaces

R.O. Writer has built supplier interfaces that allow you to connect to supplier catalogs to search, post, and order parts directly from R.O. Writer.

Configuration menu > Parts > Suppliers > select a supplier > Supplier Interfaces section.

The interfaces section is active only when a saved supplier is selected in the Supplier dropdown list.

NOTE: R.O. Writer Support cannot provide you with the access credentials for any supplier catalog. If there is an issue regarding the access credentials, you must contact your supplier to obtain the correct login credentials for your account.

Configuring Supplier Interfaces

The process is essentially the same for all suppliers. What changes from supplier to supplier is the connection information you enter for each supplier

Each supplier has different login credentials that you must obtain from the supplier directly. R.O. Writer cannot supply you with this information and R.O. Writer cannot contact parts suppliers on behalf of our customers.

To Configure Supplier Interfaces

The instructions in this section describe the basic process. Instructions for each supplier appear in the sections that follow.

Complete these steps:

1. On the Suppliers window, select a supplier in the Supplier dropdown list at the top of the window.

2. In the Supplier Interfaces section, click the Add or Edit buttons.

   

3. The Supplier Interface window opens. At the top of the window, the Supplier Name is the name of the selected supplier.

   

4. In the Supplier Interface dropdown list, select the supplier's name. The Connection Information for the supplier appears in the bottom half of the window.
5. Type in the Interface Name.
•  This name appears in the Supplier Interfaces section.
• If you do not enter a name, R.O. Writer assigns the name of the supplier selected in the Suppler Interface dropdown list.

6. In the Connection Information section, enter the settings for the selected supplier.

   

7. Click Save.
   • The window closes and the Suppliers window appears with the Interface Name in the Supplier Interfaces section.
   • If the Set Coverage File Download Options button is active for the supplier, the coverage download is set to Automatic.
8. Click Save on the main Supplier window to save all changes.

NOTE: You can configure multiple interfaces for one supplier. Smart eOrder displays multiple ordering locations for suppliers with more than one electronic ordering interface configured.

Supplier Interfaces

The available supplier integrations appear in the top half of the window.

To configure the interface for the following suppliers, click the following links: 

• Configuring the IAP/EZConnect Interface
• Configuring the AConneX Interface
• Configuring the NAPA Interface
• Configuring the Nexpart Interface
• Configuring the ACDelco Interface
• Configuring the Alliance Interface (Bumper to Bumper or Auto Value)
• Configuring the CARQUEST Interface
• Configuring the Autoi Interface
• Configuring the DST Interface

To Configure Other Supplier Interfaces

To configure the interface other integrated suppliers, click the following links: 

• Configure the AutoZone Interface
• Configure the Federated Interface
• Configure the IMC Interface
• Configure the OEConnect RepairLink Interface

• Configure the Transtar Interface

To Configure Tire Supplier Interfaces

To configure the interface for tire suppliers, click the following links: 

• Configure the ATDConnect Interface
• Configure the Carroll Tire Interface
• Configure the National Tire Warehouse Interface

Most Common Connection Information

The most important connection for almost every supplier is the username, password, and URL for your account.

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

The following table describes the most common interface settings.

Setting	Description
Username and Password (Required)	All suppliers require you to enter the login credentials for your account. For most suppliers, the login credentials are username and password. Some suppliers also require specialized codes and IDs. You obtain this information directly from the supplier when you create your partnership.
URL and Set to Default URL button (Required)	The URL is the website or network location of the supplier's catalog. Click the Set to Default button. R.O. Writer enters the correct URL for the supplier in the field automatically. Use the default URL unless your account uses a different URL.
Post to Accounts Payable (Optional)	Check Post Orders to Accounts Payable to be prompted to post orders before ordering: If you are using Accounts Payable, R.O. Writer prompts you to post parts before you order parts from this supplier in Smart eCat, Smart eOrder, and eOrder. If you are not using Accounts Payable, a confirmation number is posted to the Invoice # field on the Edit Parts window for each part ordered. NOTE: This setting overrides the global Create A.P. Transaction When Posting P.O. setting for the supplier.
Primary (Optional)	Some suppliers allow you to configure more than one interface but only one interface can be used to search for and order parts. These suppliers have a Primary checkbox. If there are multiple interfaces for a supplier, check the Primary box of the interface you want to use in Smart eCat and Smart eOrder. The Primary setting is not available for tire suppliers. Tire suppliers can have only one interface, which is always primary.

Configuring the IAP/EZConnect Interface

eOrder passes information through our data partner Internet Auto Parts (IAP). Currently, IAP works with several large aftermarket parts providers.

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

Enter the interface information you obtained from your supplier.

The following table describes supplier settings.

Setting	Description
Logon, Password, IAPSellerID, and IAP Company	Enter the access information.
Local	Check Local if this is a local supplier.
Primary	Check Primary if this is the primary supplier for IAP.
Post to Accounts Payable (Optional)	Check to be prompted to post orders to Accounts Payable before ordering.
Automatically Download Supplier Lines	Check to configure the interface to automatically download the MCL file every seven days.
System Type	Select the system type from the dropdown list:

Configuring the AConneX Interface

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

Enter the interface information you obtained from your supplier.

The following table describes the information you must enter for AConneX.

Item	Description
Account Number	Enter the account number. This field is case-sensitive.
Seller Partner ID Number	You need to obtain the partner ID from AConneX before you can enter it here.
Primary	Some suppliers allow you to configure more than one interface. These suppliers have a Primary checkbox. Check the Primary box of the interface you want to use as the primary interface. Smart eCat, Smart eOrder, and eOrder default to the primary supplier when searching for and ordering parts.
Post to Accounts Payable	Check Post Orders to Accounts Payable to be prompted to post orders before ordering: If you are using Accounts Payable, R.O. Writer prompts you to post parts before you order parts from this supplier in Smart eCat, Smart eOrder, and eOrder. If you are not using Accounts Payable, a confirmation number is posted to the Invoice # field on the Edit Parts window for each part ordered. This setting overrides the global Create A.P. Transaction When Posting P.O. setting for the supplier.
Create Relationship	The Partner information needs to be set up before you can create the relationship.
Shipping Type	Enter the shipping type if required.

NOTE: You can also access the AConneX settings from eOrder or Smart eCat Configuration.

To Obtain the Partner ID

You generate the ID on the AConneX Settings window, which you can access two ways: via eOrder or Smart eCat.

• Open eOrder and select the supplier on the Electronic Order Options window. Click the Options button then the AConneX Settings button.

  

• Open Smart eCat and click the Configure toolbar button > Connections tab > AConneX Settings button.

  

The AConneX Settings window opens.

Complete these steps:

1. Enter the Shop Name, User ID, address, phone, and contact information for your local trading partner.
2. Select the Log Transactions checkbox to track your orders.
   • Logs are saved in the ROWriter directory in a text file named ACXTrackNum.log.
3. When you have entered all required information, click the Create New ID button. The AConneX Gateway Member Agreement opens.
4. When you have read the agreement, check the I confirm… box and click the I Accept button to continue.
5. The new Partner ID appears on a popup message.

To Create the Relationship

Complete these steps:

1. Reopen the AConneX supplier, select the AConneX interface, and click the Edit button.
   • The AConneX information appears in the bottom half of the window.
   • The Tracking Relationship Status is Not Created.
   • The Create Relationship button appears.

2. Click the Create Relationship button and click OK on the success message.
3. The Trading Relationship Status should now be Active.
4. If you select the Primary box, please note that AConneX Multiple Locations Support allows you to order from the primary store and if the primary store back orders the part from its sister store, the bill is still from the primary store.
5. Click the Save button to save and return to the Edit Supplier window.
6. After the connection is active, the AConneX Button appears next to the AConneX option in the top half of the window.
   
   • Click the AConneX button to find additional interface partners.

Configuring the NAPA Interface

After you receive the interface information from your NAPA partner, enter it on this window.

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

After this interface is configured, you can order directly from NAPA PROLink.

Enter the interface information you obtained from your supplier.

The following table describes the NAPA interface settings.

Setting	Description
Server Address	Click Default to use the default server address.
PROLink Address	Click Default to use the default PROLink address.
Store ID	You must obtain the Store ID from the NAPA supplier.
TAMS Password	You must option the password from the NAPA supplier.
Create a Shop Account button	Click to create a shop for the NAPA PROLink Interface in Smart eCat. Enter your shop information on the NAPA PROLink Store Account window and click the Add Account button. You can use one ship ID per store. If you enter the same ID for two stores, R.O. Writer prompts you to delete the existing account and replacing it with the new one.
Add This Store to PROLink button	Click to add this store ID. Only one shop account may be created. If you have already created a shop account, a prompt appears asking if you want to delete the existing account and replace it with this one. The Remove this store from PROLink button removes it. The Remove all stores from PROLink button removes all stores you've added.
Use Legacy NAPA Catalog	NAPA PROLink is only available in the United States at this time. Those outside the United States should check the Use NAPA Legacy Catalog box.
Check DC and Store for availability by default	Select if you wish to always check both each time you query parts.
Primary and Post to Accounts Payable	Check Primary and/or Post to Accounts Payable if applicable.
Order Directly from Distribution Center	Select only if you use the legacy eOrder and have approval from NAPA.

Configuring the Nexpart Interface

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

Enter the interface information you obtained from your supplier.

• Enter the

  • Username and Password for your account.

  • Shipping Type if the supplier instructed you to do so.

  • Click the Set to Default URL button to enter the default URL to access the catalog.

• Check Primary and/or Post to Accounts Payable if applicable.

After this interface is configured, you can order parts through the Nexpart interface.

Configuring the ACDelco Interface

After you receive the interface information from your ACDelco Connect supplier, enter them on this window.

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

Enter the interface information you obtained from your supplier.

• Enter the

  • Username and Password for your account.

  • Shipping Type if the supplier instructed you to do so.

  • Click the Set to Default URL button to enter the default URL to access the catalog.

• Check Primary and/or Post to Accounts Payable if applicable.

After the interface is configured, you must also configure how the price of posted parts is determined.

Configuring the Alliance Interface (Bumper to Bumper or Auto Value)

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

Bumper to Bumper and Auto Value are both Alliance catalogs. Both Bumper to Bumper and Auto Value are referred to as "MyPlace4AutoParts" in R.O. Writer. However, you must configure each interface individually.

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

Enter the interface information you obtained from your supplier.

Check Primary and/or Post to Accounts Payable if applicable.

Seller ID and Buyer ID

The Seller ID and Buyer ID is how R.O. Writer accesses your account.

Service URL

The URL is the website or network location of the supplier's catalog.

Click the Set to Default button. R.O. Writer enters the correct URL for the supplier in the field automatically. Use the default URL unless your account uses a different URL.

To Assign an Alliance Catalog to Another Supplier

If you attempt to assign Bumper to Bumper or Auto Value to another supplier, you are prompted to change the supplier.

If you configure interfaces for both Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper, you can switch between the catalogs in Smart eCat. Both catalogs are referred to as "My Place 4 Parts" but only one button appears for both .

Configuring the CARQUEST Interface

The CARQUEST interface does not work in eOrder. It is available only in Smart eCat and Smart eOrder.

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

Enter the interface information you obtained from your supplier.

• Enter the Logon and Password for your account.
• Select the Billing Store in the dropdown list.
• Click the Retrieve Stores button to populate the dropdown list with stores in your local area.

• Check Primary and/or Post to Accounts Payable if applicable.

Configuring the Autoi Interface

The Autoi method does not work in eOrder. It is available only in Smart eCat and Smart eOrder.

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

Enter the interface information you obtained from your supplier.

Enter the login credentials:

• Client ID - The login provided by your Federated representative.
• URL - Enter the default URL to access the catalog.
• XML Version - Select the XML version using the dropdown list.

• Check Primary and/or Post to Accounts Payable if applicable.

Configuring the DST Interface

There are three DST interfaces: Motorcraft eCounter, ACDelco WIP from DST, and TurboParts. You can set up an interface for each per supplier or one supplier with an interface for each depending on your business agreements.

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

Enter the interface information you obtained from your supplier.

• Enter the

  • Username and Password for your account.

  • Shipping Type if the supplier instructed you to do so.

• Check Primary and/or Post to Accounts Payable if applicable.

• Web, XML, and Service URLs - Click the Set to Default URL button for each to enter the default URL in each field.
  • Type in a different URL ONLY if you know you need to use a different URL to access your account.