Supplier data can be manipulated via actions much the same way as Perfion data can be manipulated.

This document describes the new options in Actions related to manipulating supplier data.

API query language

An important tool when building actions is the Perfion query language. This has been extended with options to manipulate supplier data in the “supplier repository”. This allows you to insert new items into the supplier repository (= create supplier items), select data from supplier items, update data on supplier items and delete supplier items.

Please refer to Perfion Query Reference for details.

IMPORT.SUPPLIER

A new Action command called IMPORT.SUPPLIER has been introduced. This allows you to import items and data into the supplier repository just like you can import into Perfion today.

Please refer to IMPORT.SUPPLIER for details.

Use cases

Example 1 - import data from large supplier

Large suppliers may not bother to log into your supplier portal and manage their product data manually. In steadInstead, they will supply you with a data file with containing product data in their format and a zip-file with assets (or a location where you can download assets). This scenario can be handled with an action that selects the supplier’s data file, transforms it into supplier import format and imports it into the supplier repository. This way, you can still use the supplier portal to only accept relevant items from the supplier’s assortment and also use the supplier portal to highlight changes in the supplier’s data.

Step 1 - Use SELECT.EXCEL to select supplier’s data file

Step 2 - Use SELECT to transform data to supplier import format

Please refer to Supplier Portal - Import for details about how to format a supplier import file.

Step 3 - Use IMPORT.SUPPLIER to import data to supplier repository

Notice the use of parameters. With these you can control certain aspects of the importer’s behaviour.

Example 2 - Expose items to suppliers

If you want to control creation of items in Perfion and expose (a subset of) these to suppliers for enrichment in the portal, you can do that with an action.

Step 1 - Use SELECT.PERFION to select items to expose

In this example, we use feature ExposeItem to find items marked for exposure. We also make sure to select Supplier Identifier Feature (SupplierCode), Supplier Key Feature (SupplierItemNo) and Category as we need these values to import items correctly into supplier repository.

Step 2 - Use SELECT to transform data to supplier import format

Please refer to Supplier Portal - Import for details about how to format a supplier import file.

Step 3 - Use IMPORT.SUPPLIER to create items in supplier repository

Notice how status for new items is set to Submitted. If all suppliers have the setting “Auto accept new items”, the items created by the importer will be submitted and accepted in one go.