Supplier Inventory Integration Options
Rithum provides multiple avenues for you to add your SKU information within the platform. The best option for you depends on a number of factors. You may need to discuss the various options with your IT and operations departments to determine the best option for your needs.
| Option | Ease |
|
Manually Create a SKU through the web application |
✪✪✪✪✪ Very Easy |
|
Upload a SKU through the web application using an Excel file |
✪✪✪✪ Fairly Easy |
|
Upload a SKU using the Data Mapper tool |
✪✪✪ Somewhat Easy |
|
Upload a SKU using flat-file exchange |
✪✪ Somewhat Difficult |
|
Create a SKU using the Rithum API |
✪ Very Difficult |
|
Create a SKU using EDI |
✪ Very Difficult |
Manually create a SKU through the web application
Ease: 5 Stars
This is the fastest option for those creating only a few SKUs. You can create one SKU at a time by entering the SKU information directly into the web application. As soon as you have selected the Save button, the new SKU will be available to your trading partners.
For more information, see Adding Inventory.
If you have a lot of SKUs to create you may want to choose one of the following options...
Upload a SKU through the web application using a Rithum Excel file
Ease: 4 Stars
This is the fastest option for creating a lot of SKUs very quickly. Simply download the Product Excel Template file from the Inventory Upload page, enter your SKU information in Excel and then upload the file through the web application.
If you have a way of providing us with your SKU information in your own CSV or TAB file format, you may want to choose the next option...
Upload a SKU using the Data Mapper tool
Ease: 3 Stars
This is a great option for suppliers who already provide their retailers with a CSV or TAB delimited file. The Data Mapper tool will walk you through the process of mapping your data to the Rithum specifications so that you don’t have to build a custom file on your end. Once the mapping has been completed, you can upload your file through the web application and your SKUs will be created.
For more information, see Using the Data Mapper Tool.
Rithum provides every account with their own SFTP account which can be used with the data mapper tool and the flat-file exchange system.
If you have an IT department that will be building an integration to Rithum using the Rithum specifications, you can choose one of the following options below...
Upload a SKU using flat-file exchange
Ease: 2 Stars
Rithum supports flat-file exchange using a variety of flat-file formats, including CSV, TAB, PIPE and even XLS. Simply follow our Rithum Data Schema guide to build a file that matches our specifications and set up an automated job within the web application to schedule the processing of the files at the appropriate times. You can also run the job manually at any time using the Upload File option.
Rithum provides every account with their own SFTP account which can be used with the data mapper tool and the flat-file exchange system.
If you have programmers who will be building an API integration between your system and the platform, you can choose the next option...
Create a SKU using the Rithum API
Ease: 1 Star
The Rithum API allows suppliers to create new, or update existing, SKUs. Choose this option if you have programmers on staff who are experienced with REST APIs. This is a very advanced and technical option as your programmers will be creating custom scripts that will interact with your system and Rithum in a programmatic way.
For more information, see Getting Started with the Rithum API.
If you currently utilize EDI to create inventory, you may use the final option below…
Create a SKU using EDI
Ease: 1 Star
Rithum supports the exchange of 846 Inventory EDI documents over SFTP and AS2.
This option is perfect for you if you already utilize EDI in your drop-shipping operations but wish to remove the VAN from the equation. If you do not currently utilize EDI, we strongly recommend using one of the previous options mentioned above.
For more information, see Using EDI.
Update Your SKUs
It is important to keep your SKU information current and accurate. Perhaps you find out that the description of one of your SKUs is incorrect or the inventory levels of your SKUs has changed. Regardless of the reason for the change, it is important that you update your SKU information within the platform on a regular basis.
How often should you update your inventory levels? As often as possible and as often as is necessary. Some suppliers send new SKUs quarterly or update pricing monthly, so those tasks can be scheduled accordingly.
Inventory levels are a different story. In most cases you should update your inventory levels within Rithum at least daily, but if you have the capability of providing updates more often we suggest doing so.
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