Synchronization via API Business Overview
Introduction Content Intent and Scope Objectives Definitions Stock Sync Order Sync Returns Product Creation Requirements? FAQs
Introduction Intent and Scope Intent This is a non-technical overview that will help partners understand the different options of Synchronization via API. The document also provides answers to frequently asked questions. Scope This overview can be shared with existing or potential partners as an additional support to conversations A separate technical manual is available to share with technical teams or a technical service providers.
Introduction Objectives Avoid duplication of work Work faster and better Be less prone to errors Reduce the NO STOCK ratio Reduce the number of tools required In summary, be more efficient!
Introduction Definitions Synchronization via API is a method that allows the partner to achieve different level of automations when interacting with the Farfetch systems: Stock Sync: to sync stock from the partner s system to Farfetch Order Sync: to get information about Farfetch orders: Create the order and adjust stock in the partner system; Move the order forward through the Farfetch order workflow; Returns: to get information about Farfetch returns an reply automatically; Product Creation: to create products on Farfetch automatically; API means Application Program Interface. In simple terms think of it as a doorway or plug that we have prepared in a specific way, that enables you to connect your system to ours.
Stock Sync Inventory Management MANUALLY BARCODES STOCK SYNC Analyze a list of inventory movements in store/ warehouse 1-2 times a day Farfetch Barcodes Request Farfetch barcode stickers at time of Create Product Store Barcodes Enter store barcodes numbers into Farfetch at time of Create Product Integration between store POS and Farfetch system sending automatic stock updates Update quantities in Farfetch system Place Farfetch barcode stickers on stock of items being sold on Farfetch During inventory movements (sales, returns, rtv) concurrently scan store barcode sticker on Farfetch system During inventory movements (sales, returns, ) concurrently scan Farfetch barcode sticker on Farfetch system *Only one option should be used
Stock Sync What does it do Stock Synchronization will allow the partner to use their own system to manage stock on the Farfetch website. For example, if there is a stock adjustment on the partner system, it will automatically update the Farfetch website Instead of having to manually scan the products on the partner system and then again on Farfetch system, the partner would only have to do it on their system. Avoid duplication of work. It will keep all the stock management centralized and mirrored onto Farfetch system, minimizing the possibility of inaccuracies that might come from managing two separate systems. The partner system should have stock accuracy, usually ensured through real time stock movements (immediate or at least every 5 minutes) from all the partner stock or sale points (physical stores, warehouses, the partner own online site).
Stock Sync What does it not do Stock Synchronisation does not necessarily mean the stock will be totally accurate on Farfetch. If the stock levels on the partner system do not accurately match the stock inventory the partner has physically available to sell, then that inaccuracy will simply be mirrored onto the Farfetch system. As the partner system is always the stock master, the stock is synchronized from the partner system to Farfetch and not the other way around It s possible to implement 2 way stock sync by using the orders sync workflow
Order Sync Processing Orders Check Stock (Store) Using the Farfetch web interface, when an order comes in select one of the following: Suggest STOCK OK Alternative/ Suggest NO STOCK OK Create exception Alternative/ Create exception The Partner should create the order on their system or put the stock on hold as soon as the order arrives Fraud Check (Farfetch Team) Farfetch team investigates billing then approves order Courier Check (Farfetch Team) Airway Bills & Invoices will generate automatically, but if there is an issue, the Farfetch Courier team will solve Send Parcel (Store) Wrap product in signature packaging; using the Farfetch web interface, print necessary documentation; Place on the inside and outside of box Decide Packaging (Store) Using the Farfetch web interface, select the appropriate sized box that you will use for this order Package Collected (DHL/UPS) A collection time/date will be automatically scheduled upon the order moving through the steps
Order Sync What does it do Order sync will allow the partner to get information about Farfetch orders, so that the partner can create the order and update stock automatically on their system By creating the order automatically on the partner system, besides avoiding duplication of work, it also allows the partner to implement 2 way stock sync, minimizing the risk of no stock situations Order sync also allows the partner to manage orders throughout the Farfetch order workflow. Instead of using Storm to manually update orders, automation can be implemented for Steps Check Stock, Decide Packaging and Send Parcel. In the most comprehensive scenario, the partner won t need to use any Farfetch tool in a daily basis Any step that is not automated has to be fulfilled using Storm or FFDM
Returns What does it do Allow the partner to get information about Farfetch pending returns. Validate Returns using one of the following option: Accept with shipping cost (refunds item and shipping) Accept without shipping cost (refunds only item) Refuse (parter refuses the refund for item and shipping cost) What does not do It doesn't allow exception opening on the return for further discussing. Won t make any change in stock (stock management is still done manually with normal stock adjustment)
Product Creation Creating Products Create Product Process Within Farfetch system, the partner enters product data in the required fields. I.e Designer color; Country of Origin Farfetch Duplicates Identification Farfetch production team will identify the suspected items that already exists. Farfetch sends this list to the partner to confirm, for each product, if agrees or not Partner Duplicates Identification The partner searches for items that are already available in Farfetch Photography & Production Items are then sent to the Farfetch studio for photography. Farfecth production team will add all the necessary additional information. Once completed, products are shipped back Association The partner can associate existing products to the store Items go live!
Product Creation What does it (not) do What does it do: Centralize product creation on the partner system The products are automatically created on Farfetch after they are created on the partner system What does it not do: Even if the product is created via API the partner will still need to send to Farfetch the products to photograph and to assign them to slots Farfetch, during the production workflow, may identify that the product already exists and, in that case, the partner must remove the product from the slot so that it s not sent to Farfetch It s not possible to search for already existing products in Farfetch via API so duplicate search must be done manually
Requirements Synchronization is not effort free system, it still requires understanding and maintenance The partner s service provider should ideally be an easy to go to company for problem solving and development The partner system needs to have the means to communicate with our system The partner system will need some development to connect the necessary functions from the partner system to Farfetch in an appropriate way via the interface (API) we have built Farfetch will provide all the necessary support, including technical documentation
FAQs What is the level of complexity of each integration workflow? Answer: The most basic integration is Stock sync. After stock sync, product creation and order creation should be next Managing orders in Farfetch should be the last and the most complex scenario. In this case, the partner won t need to use any Farfetch tool in a daily basis
FAQs What is the time gap or frequency of the stock update between systems? Answer: The time gap or frequency of updates between systems is configurable and it should be agreed before implementation The Farfetch system accepts real time movements. So ideally the partner system would have real time updates to our system or near real time (every 5 minutes)
FAQs What is the time gap or frequency of the order update between systems? Answer: As our system is not able to push the orders in real time to external systems, it s not possible to have real time updated on orders Nevertheless, the update frequency should be near real time (every 5 minutes)
FAQs How long does the integration process take to setup? Answer: Setup timing greatly depends on the partner system and especially on their service provider s technical capabilities and availability for the project For stock sync, we have had partners that take 2 weeks to 2 months typically, and more in some exceptional cases
FAQs Does Farfetch advises any POS system for implementing synchronization? Answer: There are two POS vendors that have plugins to integrate with Farfetch. These plugins only do stock sync (therefore only stock sync from these systems to Farfetch). Retail Pro V8 or V9: http://www.retailpro.com/ Lightspeed: https://www.lightspeedhq.com/
Thank You Integrations Team