Checking distributor credentials before you use them

Most failed connections come down to something small: a website login where an API login was needed, a sandbox key, or a missing dropship account. A two minute check saves days of back and forth with the distributor.

The checklist

Run through this for each distributor:

• The distributor name is right.
• Your dealer or customer number is included.
• The credentials were issued for data, API, web services, FTP, SFTP or fulfillment use.
• They are not just your ordinary website login, unless the distributor has confirmed in writing that the website login is the right one.
• Every account you need is covered: dealer, fulfillment, firearms, accessories or dropship. Some distributors issue a separate login for each.
• Electronic ordering is approved, separately from catalog access.
• They are production credentials, not test or sandbox.
• The distributor knows the integrator is Trinity by 2AData.
• Any third party release form the distributor asked for is completed and sent back.

Let Trinity test them

Once a distributor's credentials are on its settings page (Shipping & FFL > Distributors, then Configure), press the test button on that page. On most distributor pages it is Test connection; a few have their own, such as Test API Connection, Test FTP Connection or Test OAuth2 Connection.

On pages with a Catalog updates switch, that switch can only be turned on after a test passes. If you change a login later, Trinity asks you to test again, so a typo cannot quietly stop your prices and stock from updating.

Related

• Connecting your distributors to Trinity
• Sending credentials to 2AData safely
• Troubleshooting distributor connections
• The full Distributor Credentials Guide on 2AData.com