EDI - True Value®
Some functionality will vary based on whether or not your company is using the newer "direct" EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) method or are using the truStart2 software as an intermediary. Differences are noted where present.
Direct and truStart2 EDI Features
The following list includes features available for both "direct" EDI and EDI using the truStart2 software (additional features are available with the "direct" option and are listed below this list). The current (last updated 8/11/2016) functionality of EDI processing with True Value (the True Value Company):
Direct EDI with True Value provides seamless integration with the application. Order data is transmitted directly to True Value using Afaria® software which provides network and mobile device management via intranet and Internet connections. This software is installed on an accessible server(s). A service is installed which manages the transfer of data between the software and the True Value network.
When using truStart2 software, sending purchase orders from the software to True Value is a two (2) step process. First, create a purchase order (PO) for True Value and use the Submit Purchase Orders EDI function transfers the PO data in a file to a directory (folder) on a computer installed with the truStart2 software. Second, the user must use the truStart2 software to transmit the PO to True Value. Purchase orders may be transmitted to True Value using other methods outside the application at the user's discretion.
•Receiving File Maintenance (includes Catalog Updates)
File Maintenance updates three types of data: items (UPC, Description, etc.), vendor-items (Package Quantities, Breaks, etc.), and the vendor's catalog. We recommend doing file maintenance updates on a weekly basis (these update the application's catalog table). Both the "direct" option and truStart2 software integration are usually set up to retrieve file updates automatically.
In the case of truStart2 software integration, files are placed in a directory on the truStart2 computer where we access them.
•Catalog Load
Typically, a company does a full catalog load once. After this, automated file maintenance updates are performed to keep the catalog up to date. Once loaded, the catalog is accessible from the application's Catalog feature providing the vendor's information regarding the items as well as pictures when available (these are obtained from the truStart2 PC).
For the "direct" option, the vendor's catalog can be loaded using the "extras" option in the Vendor EDI transaction available from the Purchasing area.
If you are using the truStart2 software, please read the "Loading the Catalog" section in the True Value - truStart2 Setup topic.
•POS Data Send
This feature can automatically create a file including Point of Sale data (transactions, etc.) for the current date and moves that file to the truStart2 software's POS Data Upload directory. This operation is handled by services running on your company's SQL server so that server must have access to the directory in question. If you own your own server, you can either map a drive to the appropriate location or share a directory somewhere on your network (possibly on the truStart2 computer). If you're using a shared directory, make sure that the "user" account on the server used for services (SQL) has permission to access it. For hosted systems, the directory would have to be a network share which would also have to be designated both in the Automation settings for
|
Additional DIRECT Features This section discusses processing and specific features of Direct EDI with True Value as well as True Value Rewards and Credit Card Applications. These features are not available with truStart2. For True Value members who also use IME for price manipulation, please see the topic IME Integration. |
Requirements
For members using the truStart2 software, files are exchanged between the computer where the truStart2 software is installed rather than directly with the vendor. The truStart2 software (if used) must be installed on a computer within the same network as is used by application users.
For detailed instructions regarding setup for integrating the truStart2 software with the
For direct communications, we use the Afaria service and a custom service that runs on the server. When using the direct communication method, all data is retrieved by the service and placed in the branch's EDI "download" folder. Most data is not available "on-demand," it's populated based on a schedule. As an alternative to the standard method, you may be able to request data from True Value's FTP server by contacting their Help Desk.