Getting started with SP-API for Vendors
Selling Partner API (SP-API) helps Amazon Selling Partners programmatically access their data on orders, shipments, payments, analytics and much more.
For Vendors, we offer Application Programming Interface (API) and Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) as a means to automate the transfer of data to and from Amazon. This automation means Vendors can spend less time shuffling spreadsheets and more time developing insights from data, creating action plans from insights, and implementing these action plans.
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Automation at Amazon
For Vendors we offer Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and Application Programming Interface (API) as automation options:
- Using SP-API you can automate various listings workflows to effectively create and manage listings in the Amazon store, reduce catalog management effort, reduce listing errors, managing and optimizing your sales channel, managing replenishment program business, access multiple report types in minutes as well as automate your Retail and Direct Fulfillment for supply chain optimization and vendor trading relationships.
- Using EDI you can automate your Retail and Direct Fulfillment for supply chain optimization and Vendor trading relationships.
FAQ
What is an API?
An application programming interface (API) is a mechanism that enables communication between two or more software components using a set of definitions and protocols. For example, a mobile weather app uses API to access a weather bureau’s forecast information and display it to users.
What is Selling Partner API (SP-API) ?
Selling Partner API (SP-API) is a set of application programming interface (APIs) to integrate with the Amazon store and vendor central to automate various tasks of your business related to managing the inventory, publishing rich content, purchase orders, analytic reporting, etc.
Benefits of SP-API
Cost-effective
APIs can be developed and implemented in most popular tech stacks and platforms, including several open-source platforms.
Lead time reduction
Automation streamlines the process of confirming orders and send ASNs compared to the manual process, which requires multiple checks.
Ease of integration
APIs can integrate new applications with existing software systems, which increases development speed. You can use APIs to leverage existing code.
Vendor time to ship (VTTS) improvements
Integrating orders allows vendors to send confirmations and advance shipment notifications (ASNs) faster, reducing the time between receiving orders and confirming them.
More efficient receiving
Vendors who send ASNs electronically and use SSCC labeling show an improvement of more than 14% in their units being received efficiently compared to manually submitted ASNs.
Access to analytics
Retail vendors can use API to access multiple report types in minutes.
What is Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)?
Electronic data interchange (EDI) is the electronic exchange of information between businesses in a standardized format. EDI converts information into predefined message formats to transmit it between businesses.
During the EDI Integration process, you will have the opportunity to review our EDI requirements and enter data related to your setup. At the end of each message integration, you must pass tests that validate your message structure and content to ensure they comply with our system requirements.
Note that every EDI transmission must contain all required data elements as defined in our EDI specifications.
During the EDI Integration process, you will have the opportunity to review our EDI requirements and enter data related to your setup. At the end of each message integration, you must pass tests that validate your message structure and content to ensure they comply with our system requirements.
Note that every EDI transmission must contain all required data elements as defined in our EDI specifications.
Benefits of EDI
Cost and error reduction
Automating and optimizing manual processes with EDI reduces labor costs and human errors.
Efficiency
Automation frees employees from manual administrative tasks, allowing them to focus on specialized tasks.
Inventory cost reduction
EDI makes demand forecasts and supplier schedules more accurate, reducing inventory costs and cycle time.
More efficient receiving
Data you send through EDI matches exactly with carton contents, PRO tracking number, and SSCC label. This enables auto-receive and makes receiving at our fulfillment center more efficient.
Supports shorter business cycles
Sending data through EDI reduces the time between a purchase order being placed and the items being ready to ship by eliminating manual processes and human error.
Accelerates processing
Automated EDI invoice processing helps ensure you get paid on time consistently.
FAQ
EDI or API? Which one to choose?
Vendors are free to choose the option that suits them best – also both can be used at the same time for different business processes. Additionally, both options provide the same level of automation when it comes to operational processes, with APIs having a more additional possibilities in fields such as on reports, listings and marketing.
Get started today to automate and accelerate your business growth with Selling Partner API. Here are the high level steps:
- Register as a developer in Vendor Central
- Register your application
- Authorizing SP-API application
- Testing via Sandbox endpoints
- Once testing is done, start making Production Calls and you are launched!