Inbound fulfillment integration messages

An inbound fulfillment integration message is a request that WebSphere Commerce receives from a fulfillment center system. Each inbound message activates a command in WebSphere Commerce that performs a particular function. If there is an error processing an inbound message, the failed message is placed into the error queue.

WebSphere Commerce supports fulfillment integration messages that accomplish the following functions:

Each of the functions listed above can be activated by a message in XML format. The XML messages are encoded in UTF-8 format.  

The following table outlines the inbound fulfillment integration messages used and the controller command that they invoke:

XML Messages Description Controller Command
Create_WCS_ExpectedInventoryRecord Creates an expected inventory record. ExpectedInventoryRecordCreateCmd
Create_WCS_PickBatch Generates a pick batch. PickBatchGenerateCmd
Inquire_WCS_PickPackListDetail Requests details created by CreatePickBatch. GetPickPackListDetailCmd
Create_WCS_InventoryReceipt Creates inventory records of items. ReceiptCreateCmd
Update_WCS_InbvgventoryReceipt Adjusts inventory for an item. InventoryAdjustCmd
Create_WCS_ShipmentConfirmation Issues shipment confirmation for an item. ReleaseShipConfirmCmd

Creating an expected inventory record

To create an expected inventory record in the WebSphere Commerce database, use the Create_WCS_ExpectedInventoryRecord XML message. This message is ideal for instances when a fulfillment center manages the inventory and ordering information of vendors. WebSphere Commerce is informed about the availability of future stock and can track inventory levels. The fulfillment center can send one of these messages to WebSphere Commerce to create an expected inventory record in the WebSphere Commerce database when the inventory level for a product is low. This record can be used for backorders. 

Creating a pick batch

To create a pick batch record in the WebSphere Commerce database, use the Create_WCS_PickBatch XML message. This message is ideal for instances when a fulfillment center manages the pick batch functions. The fulfillment center can send one of these messages to WebSphere Commerce to create a pick batch in the WebSphere Commerce database. A pick batch groups together all outstanding orders ready for release for the given fulfillment center and store. A pick ticket  for all released orders in a pick batch is created and stored in the PICKBATCH table. A packing list for each released order is created and stored in ORDRELEASE table. 

Getting pick pack list details

To inquire about the pick ticket details, use the Inquire_WCS_PickPackListDetail XML message. This message is used with the Create_WCS_PickBatch message. After the fulfillment center sends a Create_WCS_PickBatch message to WebSphere Commerce, a pick batch is created, the new pick batch ID is returned to the fulfillment center. The fulfillment center can then send the Inquire_WCS_PickPackListDetail message with the pick batch ID as a parameter to retrieve the details of the pick ticket and packing list. 

Creating inventory receipts

To create a receipt for products ordered, use the Create_WCS_InventoryReceipt XML message. This message allows you to create a receipt for products that have been ordered from a vendor, helping to update the inventory available on hand (under the RECEIPT database table) within the WebSphere WebSphere Commerce inventory database. A fulfillment center can send one of these messages to WebSphere Commerce to create a receipt that can be used to keep track of products ordered. 

Updating inventory levels

To resolve any discrepancies between a physical inventory count and the inventory levels maintained in WebSphere Commerce, use the Update_WCS_InventoryReceipt XML message. This message is used when an external fulfillment center system manages the inventory shipments. The fulfillment center system can send this message to WebSphere Commerce to adjust product inventory levels. 

Issuing shipment confirmation

To issue a shipment confirmation to WebSphere Commerce, use the Create_WCS_ShipmentConfirmation XML message. A fulfillment center can send one of these messages to WebSphere Commerce to create a shipment confirmation message verifying that an order is shipped. This message also gives you the option of sending an e-mail notification to the customer when orders are shipped. See Enabling the Shipment Notification e-mail for further details on how to enable the customer e-mail notification.