Configuring Electronic Ordering Interfaces

Configuration menu > Parts > Suppliers > Electronic Ordering Interfaces section.

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.

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 Electronic Ordering 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 Electronic Ordering 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 dropdown list at the top of the window.
  2. In the Electronic Ordering Interfaces section, click the Add or Edit buttons.
  3. The Electronic Ordering window opens displaying the available supplier interfaces at the top.
  4. Select the supplier interface in the Electronic Order Type section at the top of the window.
  5. The Electronic Ordering options for that supplier appear in the bottom of the window. The options change according to the supplier selected.

  6. Type in the Interface Name you want to use.
    • This name appears in the Electronic Ordering Interface section.
    • If you do not enter an Interface Name, the name of the connection option selected in the Electronic Order Type section is assigned as the Interface Name.
  7. Enter the supplier information you obtained in the bottom half of the window.
  8. Click Save. This window closes and the Suppliers window appears with the Interface Name in the Electronic Ordering Interface section.

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.

Electronic Ordering 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: 

To Configure Other Supplier Interfaces

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

To Configure Tire Supplier Interfaces

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

Most Common Interface Settings

Each supplier has its own interface settings; however, most interfaces requires the information described in this section.

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

Login Credentials (Required)

All suppliers require you to enter the information required to access your account.

Most suppliers require a username and password. Some suppliers required specialized codes and IDs to access their catalogs.

You obtain this information directly from the supplier when you create your partnership.

URL and

Set to Default URL button (Required)

Many supplier interfaces require a URL address.

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. 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.

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.

The Connection Information for IAP/EZConnect.

Enter the interface information you obtained from your supplier.

Configuring the AConneX Interface

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

The Electronic Ordering Interface window for AConneX.

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.

You do not need to configure anything extra to connect to the AConneX Cloud. R.O. Writer connects to the AConneX Cloud automatically.

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.

The AConneX Settings window opens.

The AConneX Settings window.

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.

The Electronic Ordering Interface window for AConneX.

  1. Click the Create Relationship button and click OK on the success message.
  2. The Trading Relationship Status should now be Active.
  3. 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.
  4. Click the Save button to save and return to the Edit Supplier window.
  5. 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.

The Electronic Ordering Interface window for NAPA.

Enter the interface information you obtained from your supplier.

the NAPA PROLink Store Account window.

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.

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

NOTE: For NAPA, you must set the coverage file download to manually create and import into Smart eCat.

Configuring the Nexpart Interface

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

The Electronic Ordering Interface window for Nexpart.

Enter the interface information you obtained from your supplier.

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

Configuring the Interface

After you receive the interface information from your WISEConnect 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.

The Electronic Ordering Interface window for WISEConnect.

Enter the interface information you obtained from your supplier.

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

NOTE: Use the supplier's catalog coverage file instead of downloading the manufacturer’s line code. For details, click the following link: Coverage File Download Options.

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.

The Electronic Ordering Interface window for Bumper to Bumper or Auto Value.

Location of the Alliance Catalog Installation

You connect to these catalogs via a file that you download from the Auto Value or Bumper to Bumper Supplier. In the Location field, you enter the location of that file. You can

Customer Number

The customer number is the number required by R.O. Writer to access your account. Enter your customer number by typing it in.

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.

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.

The Electronic Ordering Interface window for CARQUEST.

Enter the interface information you obtained from your supplier.

When configuring the coverage file download for CARQUEST, you must check Delete the Old File and Replace it With the New One in the When Coverage File is Downloaded section.

The CARQUEST coverage file download set to delete the old file and replace.

Configuring the Autoi Interface

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

The Electronic Ordering Interface window for Autoi.

Enter the interface information you obtained from your supplier.

Enter the login credentials:

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.

The Electronic Ordering Interface window for the DST interfaces.

Enter the interface information you obtained from your supplier.