Importing Orders Automatically

Contents of this Topic: ShowHide

Overview

Note: This topic applies to V7.025 7.5 and higher. If you are running 7.024, refer to AutoOrderImport

• SEOM has the ability to periodically import orders without manual intervention. To do so, a manual import of each cart defined in the store file must have already been completed before running the unattended order import. The reason for this is the unattended import cannot respond to the First Import prompt which  requires user input. If the first import is not manually run for a given cart, the program logs a message and skips over that cart until the first import is completed.

• To run in unattended mode, start the program by entering a command and parameters from Windows Command Prompt. It is recommended to setup a Windows system task to run the application at specified intervals on a workstation which is not normally used for other Stone Edge activities. If you do attempt to execute the program through a command prompt and the application is already open on the workstation, the auto order import instance fails to initialize.

• When initialized in unattended mode, the application attempts to import orders from every shopping cart defined in the store data file which is capable of performing direct XML order import. If a given shopping cart is only able to import order information from a text file it is ignored by the program, with the exception of Monsoon Pro.

• When order imports from all eligible shopping carts are completed, the application copies the current log file to the archive location, sends an email with the results to a specified address, and then exits the system. The next time the application is started by the Windows system task, the active log file is overwritten.

• If the program encounters an event that it is not able to handle automatically, it stops and sends an email (to the address specified in parameter AutomationEmail) requesting manual intervention. The most likely place for this to occur is during Customer Match processing.   

• If orders fail during auto import, the program copies the order file to the directory specified in system parameter, AutoOrderImportFailedOrderLocation, with the exception of Amazon/Semplice order files which are not archived.

If no value is set at the time of import, the program sets the AutoOrderImportFailedOrderLocation parameter to the directory specified in the parameter <AutoOrderImportLog>\FailedOrders.

If parameter AutoOrderImportLog is also not set, the program sets AutoOrdermportFailedLocation to C:\StoneEdge\AutoImport\FailedOrders. Parameter AutoOrderImportLog is unchanged.

Considerations

• Version 1.0.35 (or higher) of the Payment Module is required.  

• Version 1.9 of the Subscription Manager is required.

• The program must be launched manually on the dedicated order import workstation at least once in order to establish the connection to the store file. This instance consumes a seat license – be sure you have adequate licenses or the application will not run.

• If multiple store files are used, a dedicated machine must be setup for unattended order import from each database since there is no way to switch stores when running in unattended mode.

Best Practices

• Install SEOM to run in unattended mode on a dedicated workstation that is not used for any other order processing.

• Set the default printer of the workstation running the program in unattended mode to a real, physical printer, not the OM2PDF printer.

• Do not run MS Access as Administrator on the workstation where the unattended order import process is executed.

• Set system parameter UseCustomerMatching = FALSE.

• Set system parameter VerifyAddressesAtImport = FALSE.

• If security is enabled, create a UserID for the sole purpose of running the unattended order import process and add it to the Auto Order Import security group. The program also adds it to the SEOM Admin security group. If this user is removed from the Admin group, it is also removed from the Automation group, impacting the ability of the unattended order import to function. 

• The Payment Module requires a non-Admin UserID and Password combination for automated order import. Create a new one specifically for this purpose.

• When you add a new cart, temporarily disable the Windows task and run a manual import. When the first import is done, re-enable the Windows system task.

How to invoke the Auto Order Import feature manually

1. Enter a value in system parameter AutomationEmail.
2. If SEOM security is turned on, create a new Admin UserID or assign an existing Admin UserID to the Automation security group.
3. Review the default settings of the remaining automation parameters and adjust them if necessary.
4. Go to Start>All Programs>Accessories>Command Prompt.
5. Enter the following:

[Path to the Order Manager program file] /nostartup /X AutoImport

for example:

"C:\StoneEdge\SEOrdMan.mdb" /nostartup /X AutoImport

(there is a space between "C:\StoneEdge\SEOrdMan.mdb" and /nostartup)

6. For repeated execution of the unattended order import feature, create a Windows System Task to execute this command periodically. Refer to the Knowledge Base topic of the same name for guidance.  

Related System Parameters

AutomationEmail

• when the unattended order import concludes and there is a problem which requires manual intervention, an email message with the details is sent to this address

• this is a required field

• if this field is left blank, when the application is started it ends immediately without processing any orders - check the log, as no email can be sent by the program if this parameter is not set

AutomationPay1

• applies to V7.5 and higher
• enter the non-admin Payment Module user name SEOM should use for the automatic import process

AutomationPay2

• applies to V7.5 and higher
• enter the password for the non-admin Payment Module user name SEOM uses to import orders automatically

AutomationPayDaysLeft

• applies to V7.5 and higher
• stores the days remaining until the password for the non-admin Payment Module user name expires
• each time the automatic import is started, the program checks the number of days until the password expires, and when that threshold is met, an email is sent to the address specified in system parameter AutomationEmail (once a day) to remind them to update the password through the Payment Module
• when the password is updated in the Payment Module, change SEOM system parameter AutomationPay2 with the new value  

AutoOrderImportLog

• the location where the log file resides
• this is a required field
• defaults to c:\StoneEdge\AutoImport

AutoOrderImportLogArchive

• the location where the archived log files reside
• this is an optional field
• defaults to c:\StoneEdge\AutoImport\Archive

AutoOrderImportOrderDocs

• this parameter was originally designed to work with the OM2PDF printer, but in reality the PDFWriter cannot keep pace with the program as it attempts to create multiple reports per order (invoice, packing slips), so it is now necessary to set the default printer of the workstation running in unattended mode to a real physical printer, rendering this parameter ineffectual, or pointless
• the default value of this field is c:\StoneEdge\AutoImport\OrderDocuments

DropShipAutoOrder

• The default setting is FALSE. If set to TRUE, drop-ship purchase orders will be created automatically as you import orders. POs are only created for Approved orders, and only for items with Primary Suppliers. WARNING: THIS IS A POTENTIAL SECURITY PROBLEM, SINCE CUSTOMERS CAN PLACE ORDERS AND HAVE THEM DROP-SHIPPED TO THEM WITHOUT YOUR KNOWLEDGE. ONLY USE THIS OPTION IF YOU ARE WILLING TO ACCEPT THAT RISK!!!

Additional Information

Creating a Windows System Task

Automation Parameter Group

First Import

Created: 8/19/14

Revised: 2/7/15

Published: 04/13/16