Historically the only way to transfer data between a back office system and a website was either manually or sending csv or xml files via ftp. While this approach works it is a very slow and disjointed solution. Large volumes of data has to be sent to the website in case is might be needed, web orders take ages to get into the back office system, stock updates don't arrive in time... the list goes on.
Using the Caliq RESTful API streamlines and speeds up this integration. Data can be pulled live and on demand so the latest up to date figures are available just when needed. Stock and price data can be queried in real time. Orders can be sent directly to the back office with the Caliq order number returned to be displayed to the customer.
Aside from the basic data points of products, customers, prices and stock the API also provides access to a much richer set of data, including
- Customer order history at header and line detail levels
- Warehouse despatches
- Customer's outstanding sales ledger transactions
- Copy document PDF download
- Payment methods
- Despatch methods
- Incoming purchase order breakdown
- Projected stock availability quantity and dates