Connecting to Suppliers

Applies to: RFMS E-Commerce (EC)
Supplier connections in E-Commerce are configured by Support on the backend. This article explains what information Support needs, what options you can request, and how to confirm whether supplier data (catalogs/messages) is arriving.

What "connecting a supplier" Means in E-Commerce

In RFMS E-Commerce, a supplier connection is more than “adding a vendor.” It’s a backend configuration that determines whether RFMS can exchange data with that supplier, such as catalog downloads, electronic purchase orders, advance shipping notices (ASNs), and electronic invoices. Support uses your supplier account details and your requested features to configure the connection correctly.

EC Support handles enabling the supplier connection, mapping your supplier account number(s), and confirming which electronic documents and downloads are available for that supplier.

If your business uses Store Specific, Support may also need to map supplier accounts to the correct store(s) so the right catalogs, pricing, and transactions apply to the right location.

Vendor Participation

Not all suppliers support the same E-Commerce functions. To confirm what’s available for a supplier, check the current participation information here: Suppliers that Accept POs from RFMS.

What You Can Do

Even though the supplier connection itself is handled by Support, there are two things you can do from your side that help move setup and troubleshooting forward.

Send the store file when Support requests it

Support may ask you to export and send your E-Commerce store file as part of setup or troubleshooting. Follow: Export Your E-Commerce Store File for Support.

Verify whether supplier data is arriving

You can confirm whether data is coming in by checking for expected catalog downloads and by reviewing message activity for transactions that failed to send or process.

If you suspect an order didn’t transmit, see: Checking Message Logs for Failed Orders.

When to Contact Support (and what to include)

Contact Support if you need a new supplier connection, changes to an existing connection, or if supplier data isn’t arriving or doesn’t look correct. Supplier connections and most related issues require backend research and configuration.

To speed things up, include the following in your request:

• Your company/store name
• The supplier name
• Your supplier account number (or the account(s) you want connected)
• What you want enabled: catalog downloads, electronic POs, ASNs, and/or electronic invoices
• Whether you use Store Specific (yes/no)

Optional or Advanced Setup Options

These options are not required for basic supplier connections but may be helpful depending on your workflow:

Option	Purpose
Web Services Setup	Enables live inventory and pricing requests from approved suppliers.
Supplier Cross Reference	Links a supplier’s FCB2B identity to the supplier name you use in RFMS so downloaded data is matched, grouped, and imported under the correct supplier.
Invoice Additional Charges	Controls how non-inventory charges on electronic invoices are handled, such as mapping to GL accounts or including with freight.
Material Classification	Controls how RFMS E-Commerce assigns a Product Code to items you import into your RFMS Product File
Store Specific	Associate supplier account numbers with the correct RFMS store
Price Formula	Applies price formulas or rounding rules to new imported products.
Transit Time Adjustment	Adjusts supplier-reported transit times (vendor-specific).

Troubleshooting Supplier Connections

Issue	What to check	Next step
Connection fails or returns errors	Internet access, firewall restrictions, supplier is active in Communication Properties, store/account data is accurate.	Contact RFMS Support with the exact error message or log details.
No recent downloads	E-Commerce > Utilities > Last Download Information (most recent timestamps).	If timestamps are not updating or downloads are disabled, contact RFMS Support.
Supplier not listed in Communication Properties	Supplier setup is incomplete or not yet activated.	Contact RFMS Support before proceeding.

Support and Training Resources

Email: [e-mail]

Phone: [phone]

Help Center: rfmsinc.zendesk.com

Training: RFMS Academy

Next Steps

Once you’ve successfully connected and verified your first supplier, continue to the category Catalog & Products where you’ll learn how to import, review, and maintain catalog data from connected suppliers.