Data connection (Web-API)

What is this data connection?

1. All data from Softwear can be implemented in the webshop. For that reason we advise to add all information in Softwear.
2. The images of the articles for in the webshop can't be inserted in Softwear and have to be stored somewhere else. Your web builder of webshop platform can help.
3. The datafeed (package with info about the articles) is renewed every 24 hours (more often if needed). De datafeed can be downloaded by the web builder and inserted in the webshop.
   The file can be manually refreshed: don't forget to also refresh the file in the webshop. Only selected information from Softwear is in the data feed.
4. It is a live connection, with realtime data. Request for stock data or sending orders gets done without delays, if the API is used. The API can also be used for customer data (collected customer points, purchase history).

The data feed

The information below can be added to the article feed, but only if this information is available in Softwear (backoffice).
Consider everything thoroughly so you get exactly what you want from this data connection.

Article

Articles webshop

In the daily article export to the webshop, the main questions are:

1. Stock control: Does the article have stock? Yes: show in webshop.
2. Filter control: which filter condition is being used? Does the article fulfill the filter condition: show in webshop.

One or both can be edited/ deleted

Attention: Using the stock control and adding filter conditions makes the file smaller: smaller is faster.

It is also important to consider showing articles without stock in the webshop, when they are "never-out-of-stock"  articles.

Strange characters

Using characters as / & * ; : will often cause problems in the communication between Softwear and the webshop. Prevent these problems by omitting these characters in the article codes, color codes and customer data.

Colors

Input=Output. The name of the color in Softwear will be the name of the color in the webshop.
Use the name of colors consistent so the webshop will be logical .
Sometimes a web builder can filter the colors. With Softwear it is possible to add a web description in the table of the colors. All reds, blues, whites etc. will be merged in that column

Sizes

Consistent usage of the size bar will help using the search filters, but also to combine sizes (38 is sometimes really 36), to minimize returns.
Think about using different size bars, like Italian, English or American sizes.

Webshop sales

Sales from the webshop will often be registered in warehouse "webshop". No warehouse webshop? Ask by mailing to help@softwear.nl. (or use "New" if that button is available within the warehouses)
The stock is almost always in the store, not in the webshop. But the webshop can use the stock and show it.

• Benefit: separate en monitor the sales. Plus no trouble with the end of shift with the POS.
• Drawback: Extra actions to transit the stock to the warehouse webshop, from the store.

When working with the article feed and the API, it is important to let the consultant of Softwear know if the webshop has it's own stock or if the stock of the store will be used.

Read more at the manual Werken met filiaal "webshop". (`Working with warehouse "webshop"`).

Transit orders

To divide sale orders there are a few options:

1. A webshop sale creates an email for the store(holder). They have to pick and pack the article(s) and create a transit order to warehouse webshop.
2. When there is 1 stone store togther with the webshop it's possible to automate the process of the transit order. This happens at night.
3. The webshop builder can use the API to create the transit order. A Softwear consultant has to change a setting in the configuration of the system, but that can be arranged. For more info: Werken met filiaal "webshop".

Webshop stock

In Softwear it's possible to state which warehouses can be used for showing stock in the webshop. A Softwear consultant can help with that but be sure to do this before the webshop is live. The stock request can also be done with detailed information: per warehouse.

Standard only articles with stock will go in the data feed. It's possible and customizable to choose for all articles. The file will be (much) bigger this way, which can slow the process. By using a filter, the file can become smaller and more acceptable.

Webshop returns

There are 3 options dealing with returns:

1. Process within the webshop en send the return to Softwear (pro: correct management data )
2. Process the return in Softwear (via menu Boeken - Kassaverkoop or via a webshop POS). 
3. Process at the POS and create a transit order to warehouse webshop. (con: crooked management data)

NOOS-artikelen

NOOS-articles: Never Out Of Stock
Sometimes certain articles can be re ordered, so they never run out of stock, even though Softwear has no stock (yet). It's possible to show these articles in the webshop.
Ask a Softwear consultant for more information.

A special "omzetgroep" is being used to clarify which articles are NOOS.

Extra information to the webshop

Extra information can be added in Softwear. It is sensible to put all data in Softwear, so it's all bundled en saved central. All extra data can be put in the so called "omzetgroepen". The contents can be easily added to the data feed, but are not always search engine friendly (SEO).
Give logical, recognizable names to the omzetgroepen. For example:

• web_material
• web_article_group
• web_extra (put a dot in colum waarde, double click memo and add a description).

Read more about it: Extra artikelinformatie in webshop.

Customer module

For stores with registered sales and/or loyalty programs this customer module can be ideal. Softwear gives this away for free!
Take all options in considerations: they can effect the webshop or the processes within the webshop.

Customer information

Customer data can be exported from Softwear to the webshop. A customer with a loyalty card can save points from the stone store as well as the webshop.
New customers in the webshop can be added toe Softwear or recognized through their email address.

Attention! The daily datafeed contains no customers, only articles. There is a separate customer feed, which has to be created seperately.

Customer loyalty / vouchers

Customers who saved points with each buy and gain a voucher this way, can also view their points and swap the voucher in the webshop. The customer has to log in on the webshop to do so. The webshop builder can help with this.

Newsletters

Softwear can't be used for sending newsletters. Often webshop platforms have a solution for this. However: Softwear can deliver a document with all customer data, which can be used. This can be in csv of excel format.
Softwear also has a mailing partner: MINTmail. If you want to know more about about sending newsletters and you don't have a solution yourself: mail us at sales@softwear.nl.

The API

Only the article feed, not the API?

Is it not possible to use/ integrate the API? Is it not possible to connect Softwear and the API so no getstocks can be requested?

Than there are 2 options:

1. Use the hourly feed, so the stock of the articles is reasonably up-to-date.
   Consequences:
   - No-sales are still possible
   - Orders need to be manually entered in Softwear. It's not automated 
   - Stock is not automatically being adjusted after every sale
   - No live stock check, but with an hour delay (at the most)
   - The web builder needs to configure to read the article feed every hour too
    
2. Only use the datafeed (article feed).  This file is refreshed every 24 hours
   Consequences: 
   - No stock check on the current stock, but the stock of the night before 
   - More chance at no-sales because the stock can be different than the article feed says 
   - Orders need to be manually entered in Softwear. It's not automated
   - Stock is not automatically being adjusted after every sale

Any questions about the possibilities? Call us at +31 (0)20 229 29 29. 

Doubts? Call us at +31 (0)20 229 29 29. 

Prices

Connection with webshop platforms

Apps4Fashion

Fashion companies who sell their products via Apps4Fashion and also use Softwear, also need this connection.
We also use the API, with a few special settings.

Read more: /wiki/spaces/SIKB/pages/80185796

Other webshop platforms successfully connected with Softwear

WooCommerce, Lightspeed, Magento, Bitrix, OpenCart en CS-cart.
 

The web builders use this manual as starting point for the connection between webshop ans Softwear:  Softwear Web-API