How to set up an order connection

Contents

• What is an order connection?
• Preparation
• Step 1: Creating Your Order Connection in Channable
• Step 2: Sending a test order
• Step 3: Start receiving orders 
• FAQ

What is an order connection?

An order connection enables the synchronization of orders from various marketplaces directly into your ecommerce platform. This integration not only allows for the efficient handling of orders but also ensures that shipment and tracking information is communicated back to the marketplace, keeping stock levels adjusted in real-time. 

Preparation

Before you start creating your order connection, there are a some things that need to be set up:

• Activate the Order Sync add-on Go to [Your company name] > Plans & Pricing > Plans > Marketplaces. Select the number of Order Sync add-ons that you need. You need one Order Sync add-on per connected marketplace. 

• Verify integration compatibility Before proceeding, confirm that your webshop platform supports order connections by reading this article. For Magento and PrestaShop, there are additional steps. Click here to read more. Furthermore, please make sure that orders can be retrieved from your selected marketplace by referring to this article. Compatibility is essential.

• Configure both ends and set the 'Unique ID': Make sure that both the webshop platform and the Marketplace API are correctly set up for the order connection. It is important to select the project field 'ID' as the unique identifier for each item within the API settings used for the order connection.

This ensures products from the Marketplace match those on your webshop platform, preventing errors from unrecognized products. 

Make sure to not activate the order connection, before completing all the steps.

Step 1: Creating your order connection in Channable 

Once you’ve completed all the preparation work, you’re ready to set up your order connection!

1. Go to Setup > Setup orders and click +Setup orders to configure the order connection.
   

2. Select the API: Choose the platform (please note that you can only use one platform per project) and the Marketplace API that you want to set up the order connection for.
   

3. Configure order connection: Once both platforms are selected start providing the following information:

   • Assign a name: We recommend using the same name as your order sync add-on.
   • Select country/region: Specify the country/region
   • Choose fulfillment method: Select a fulfillment method

To create the order connection, click Save. it will remain inactive, until you manually activate it in step 3 of this article. Additionally, you can revise these settings (depending on the Marketplace) once the initial setup is done. 

Options tab

After completing the initial setup, you can access the Options tab to configure additional settings (depending on the Marketplace), including return handling.

Make sure to select Send returns if you'd like Channable to process return requests between your Webshop and the Marketplace.

Please note that return handling varies based on the platforms you're using. While Channable automates much of the process, the specifics may differ between Marketplaces. Additionally, certain platforms require some extra manual steps. For a detailed explanation of how returns are processed and which platforms are supported, please refer to this article on handling returns.

After configuring the desired settings, please review your changes and click Save to finalize the setup of your order connection.

Transporter tab

Now that your order connection is set up, you need to configure the transporter mapping. This step ensures that Channable can correctly send the tracking and transporter details for each order.

1. Navigate to the ‘Transporter’ tab: In the overview section of setup page, go to the Transporter tab.
   

You'll see two options: Add transporter mapping and Default transporter. Below we'll explain which one you use and when:

• Default transporter
  It is always required to manually select your transporter from the dropdown menu in the Default transporter field, as Channable does not automatically detect the transporter code.
  
  If you use only one transporter for all your orders, selecting a Default transporter is sufficient. This transporter will be applied to all orders (for all order connections) unless specified otherwise through transporter mapping.
• Transporter mapping
  If you use multiple transporters, you will need to set up transporter mappings in addition to selecting a default transporter. Click on Add transporter mapping to create rules for different transporters.
  
  You can create rules based on tracking code patterns. For example, if a specific tracking code format matches the rule you've set, the associated transporter will be automatically applied. If none of the transporter mappings match a tracking code, Channable will default to the default transporter you’ve selected earlier.

If no default transporter is selected, your T&T codes will not be added to your orders. For more detailed instructions on setting up transporters, refer to this article.

Step 2: Sending a test order

To effectively send and manage a test order from Channable to your webshop platform, follow these simple steps:

Make sure of the following before sending a test order:

• Ensure the Product ID matches the Unique ID for your items in the webshop.
• Verify that each item has a stock/quantity of at least 4, as test orders will select quantities between 1 and 4.
• Select a product for the test that is already imported into Channable.

1. Navigating to Test Order Page

1. Go to `Setup > Setup Orders` > [Your order connection]' and click on `Settings`.
2. Access the `Send test order` option through the settings menu (cogwheel icon) in the upper right corner.

2. Creating the Test Order

To create a standard test order, fill in the Product ID and Country. Channable will use randomized information for the order. For more info on how to customize a test order, click here.

3. Sending the test order

You can now send the test order. Upon successful delivery, the test order will appear in both your webshop and Channable. Do not process a test order, as it is for testing purposes only.

Step 3: Start receiving orders 

A successful test order confirms that the connection between Channable and your webshop platform is functioning correctly. Following this success, you're ready to activate the order connection. Here's how to proceed:

1. Return to `Setup > Setup Orders > [Your Order Connection] 
2. Click on the settings button to access the configuration options.
3. Find and select `Activate order connection` at the bottom of the page. Ensure you save the changes.

With the order connection activated, all ‘open’ orders from the chosen Marketplace will now be automatically retrieved and pushed to your webshop platform. 

FAQ

What about my open orders before I created the order connection? 

If you need to retrieve 'open' orders that are not yet handled and that were placed before you activated the order connection, contact our Technical Support team to request to change the activation date to a prior date. Only open orders can be retrieved.

Can I connect multiple webshop platforms with multiple Marketplaces in Channable?

An order connection connects one webshop platform to one marketplace. This means that if you want orders from a marketplace to be sent to a different webshop, you'll need to create a new project for that connection.

I have orders that are fulfilled by the Marketplace, how can I set this up?

You need a separate order connection for your orders that are fulfilled by the marketplace.

For example: if you have both AFN and MFN orders or both FBR and FBB orders, you will need two separate order connections. You can read more about fulfilled by marketplace orders connections, here.

My webshop platform is not supported, what now?

In the case that your webshop platform is not supported, you can make use of our Channable API for an order connection. Read this article for more information on how it works and how it can be configured.

I use Magento or PrestaShop.

• If you use Magento 1, you have to install the order plug-in. With Magento 2, this functionality is integrated. Read this article to learn how to configure the order plugin in Magento 2. 
• If you use Prestashop, you need to adjust the settings of the Channable plugin. In the 'Configuration' section of the plugin, you will see all the different parameters that you have to set up for your order connection to work. For more information, go to this article.