PUSH connections from Validoo

Introduction

On this page you can find information on how to connect your company to Validoo services as a recipient or supplier of product information. Information on services to retrieve product information. Information on services, conditions and service descriptions can be found for retailers here and for suppliers here. If you want to send data, you can integrate your system.

Definitions

GLN – a unique company identifier
GTIN – a unique trade item identifier
GPC code – A GS1 code for product classification

Available environments and identification

You can connect your company to Validoo’s Production environment and to Validoo’s PreProd test environment. We recommend that you connect to both environments as this will facilitate future testing and verification.

In Validoo, your company is identified by a GLN. If you have multiple communication channels, more GLNs will be needed.

Login

You log in to the two environments via our platform. You log in at:

User name is your email address.

Data communication

General

API is an interface that allows communication between different software, in this case between Validoo and your system. Validoo has several APIs for different information services and protocols, such as web service (REST), AS2, SFTP

The information can be transmitted either in a push flow, i.e. information matching the recipient’s subscription is sent via a set communication channel, usually AS2 or SFTP, or in a pull flow, which you can read more about here.

Communication in the ”Push” work flow

Message-based communication. The receiver subscribes to information and messages are created and placed in a queue.

  • AS2 – The receiver sets up an AS2 connector to receive product information. We handle the request and send it back with a receipt. If an error occurs and the information cannot be sent, you can see exactly where in the chain it has been stopped.
  • SFTP – The receiver sets up an individual SFTP and we send the changes and additions that the receiver subscribes to.
  • Web service – Subscriptions can be created via REST API

GS1 AS2 and SFTP for trade item information and/or image
(AS2 is preferred when two-way communication is needed).
Settings and instructions for setting up.

View technical parameters

AS2 – How to use it

There are many service providers and applications that help with the setup and integration of AS2 data communication.

If you believe your organisation lacks competence in AS2, we recommend that you get help from an external partner with known expertise in AS2 to set up your company’s data communication.

Certificate

If you choose the AS2 connection, you also need to send one certificate per connection. There are several issuers of certificates on the market.

Manual download of images

You can always use our user interface to search for and download a selection of trade item information and images.

Create subscriptions

You can add subscriptions manually in the interface or via API. See APIs for sending sharing and receiving information for more information.

What we send

Trade item information

We always send complete trade item information for a GTIN in GS1 XML format. Partial trade item information is not sent.

Images

Images are published based on the selected subscription. The file names are defined in the subscription. You choose whether you want images in TIFF format or JPEG and PNG (for planogram images). An example of a file name could be: 08717163583555_D1C1, where the file name starts with the GTIN followed by the definition for facing, angle etc. Guidelines and Validoo’s requirements for images can be found in the Quality Assurance Rules.

Preparations in the receiving system

In order to manage the trade item information sent from Validoo, you need to prepare your system. It is important that you identify the steps that need to be taken to manage incoming trade item information.

In the Trade Item Information Guideline you will find descriptions of what the different attributes mean. The guideline will help you get acquainted with the information and the attributes you wish to use.

The link above also features documents describing how to handle trade item information, business document specifications, mapping specifications, the Validoo Operations Manual and example files.

The page also contains links to frequently asked questions, and code lists.

Keys to success

  • Read the service description and terms and conditions for data receivers and data suppliers to find out what the service includes and how you can use product information.
  • Set aside time to set up communication and create subscriptions. Make sure there is knowledge of trade item information, XML, AS2, REST and image formats at your company. You should also review how the information will be used.
  • Read the Validoo Operations Manual
  • Find out what applies for trade item information in the Swedish market
    • Use GS1 Sweden’s Trade Item Information Guideline to determine which attributes are relevant to you.
    • Use GS1 Sweden’s Business Documentation to see how the terms are specified for the Swedish users (repeatability, mandatory/conditional, and their Xpath).
    • Use the xml schema to work with the global standard. Your system must receive trade item information that features more attributes and code values than those specified in the Swedish subset of trade item information. Use the information that is relevant to you.
    • Make sure to use current code lists. Continually download code values for the Swedish market. They are also available in machine-readable format. We recommend downloading code lists once per day. Please note that the code lists are adapted to the Swedish market, according to the Swedish subset for trade item information. Suppliers using a different data pool for trade item information can send code values that are not included in the Swedish subset.
  • Make sure you are informed about new GDSN releases with updated attributes and codes. There are 2-5 releases a year. Information about new releases is available at gs1.se and is also sent to your technical contact person.

Checklist to get started

– Choose a service

Find out what the Validoo Buyer, Validoo Reciever Validoo Supplier and Validoo GDSN Supplier services entail and choose the service that best suits your needs.

Then fill in this form and we will contact you with a proposal.

– Make sure your company has a GS1 Company Prefix

Check if your company has a GS1 Company Prefix. If you subscribe to GS1 Company Prefix, you will automatically have a Global Location Number (GLN) that identifies you as a buyer in Validoo.

Order a GS1 Company Prefix from GS1 Sweden if you don’t already have one.

– Signing an agreement

Once you have Validoo Buyer, Validoo Receiver, Validoo Supplier or Validoo GDSN Supplier, you can navigate, download product information and administer users in the Validoo production environment.

To manage your users in the pre-prod environment (test environment), we will help you create your first user. After that you can administer users yourself, just as you would in the production environment.

– Prepare your system

Prepare your system to handle trade item information sent from Validoo.

– Create and verify your data communication solution

Fill in documentation with technical parameters.

– Create subscriptions

Create subscriptions to download the trade item information you are interested in, either in Validoo’s web interface or via your own web service. If you choose Validoo Buyer, you need to inform your business contacts that they should also be connected to Validoo in order to send their trade item information to your GLN. Please contact us first so that we can ensure that we have sufficient resources to answer questions from your suppliers. Validoo Suppliers retrieves trade item information for its GLN, i.e. the GLNs that Validoo Suppliers are information providers for.

– Let us know who your contact people are

Log in and assign the Technical contact role to the right person.

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