Digital Stock Processing

Introduction

Iptor IP1 has been greatly enhanced through the provision of web enablement products to integrate essential functions of web ordering and digital product delivery. These functions have been integrated into the existing framework of Iptor IP1, where sale of digital products is achieved by using either the Iptor Web Services application or any other web services used by customers.

Customers using their own websites can manage the sales interaction with the users and Iptor IP1 via the Web Services provided by Iptor, which will allow publisher’s customers to transact directly into the Iptor IP1 system.

Iptor IP1 will be used as the primary system to manage the core operation including the generation of distribution and financial transactions such as sales invoice and payment transactions.

Publishers can either directly manage the delivery of digital product or use the services of Digital Product Distributors (DPD) to handle the download. If the publisher directly manages the delivery of the digital product, Iptor IP1 involvement will be limited to the generation of the distribution sales and payment transactions. If a DPD handles the downloading it will be required to interface with Iptor Web Services. An access code has to be supplied either by DPD or Iptor IP1, which when emailed to the user will provide the download access.

Digital products can be defined as stockable (purchased) or non-stockable (created internally).

Stockable digital item is purchased and stocked before sales and can be sold only up to available stock. Access codes for the stockable digital item is supplied by the Purchase Order supplier and is system controlled – written up when the digital item is received and written down when digital item is sold or is requested to print a card for the access code.

However not all stockable digital items are required to have access codes as part of the inventory. Some product lines may have delivery fulfilled by the suppliers outside the system.  However these products will still be stockable because purchase cost will need to be accounted for. Control file TMSDS/IM-LICKY defines which stockable digital items have access code requirement.  Stockable digital items which are not defined in TMSDS/IM-LICKY will always have access code required.

Non stockable digital item is not purchased or stocked. Access code for the non-stockable digital will be generated when digital item is sold or is requested to print a card for the pack.

Digital products can be sold as a single item or in a bundle (Pack, System or Mixture). When making a pack with digital items (via a work order) the system allows access codes to be printed on a card (or a label) to be packed with the physical item.These cards can be printed either internally or externally depending on the warehouse for the work order. When a pack with the digital item is sold, printed access codes are supplied in the pack. 

If a digital item is within a system (or mixture) or is sold as a single item, access codes for the digital item will be sent via email.

 Product  Consists of…
 System or Mixture Pack ID, physical book, digital item 
 Pack Pack ID, physical book, digital item, card with the printed access code.  

Business rules

The following business rules have to be set up for Digital stock processing.

Stock status rules

 Control file  Setup
TMSDS/IM-STKF Stock item flags

This system defined control file holds the valid stock item flags. A new stock item flag for digital item must be defined as below.

  • N – non-stock item
  • Y – physical stock item (previously stock item)
  • D – digital product
TMSDS/IM-IBOR Stock status code  Create the stock status code for stockable and non stockable digital.
TMSDS/SD-LCSTS Digital product licence status This system defined control file holds all the access code (licence) status that is used by the system. 
TMSDS/WK-Order  Defaults for pack make work order by warehouse For packs with digital items specify if the access codes will be printed internally or externally. Specify all the other defaults as required. 
TMSDS/PRT-OUTT Document print output type Set up system defined document print type ‘DAC’ for printing access codes. 

Warehouse rules

Control file Setup
TMSDS/WH-TYPE Warehouse types  A digital warehouse type must be defined in the system – (system defined). 
TMSDS/WH-GRPC Warehouse  group code A distinct digital warehouse group can be set up for digital warehouses.

Costing rules

Control file  Setup 
TMSDS/IM-CSMC Costing Method  Add a blank costing method as ‘N/A’ that can be for non –stock items. 
TMSDS/IM-CSMCD Costing method by stock item flag Set the costing method for stock item flag “D”. Costing is restricted to standard costing for non stockable digital products since there are no stock receipting involved, whereas for stockable digital it can be either weighted average, FIFO, last cost or standard costing method. 
TMSDS/WH-SADJ Auto stock adjustment for warehouse To estimate cost for already delivered orders, DT must be “F”. Specify Buying price override.
TMSPU/BP-DFT Default values used to retrieve buying price Add DSE010 to define buying price formula.

Invoice rules

Control file  Setup 
TMSDS/SD-INV Supply direct: invoicing rule

Set the digital product invoicing rule:

1 = invoice is completed without the download confirmation.

2 = invoice is left at ‘A’ status (awaiting document merge) and will be completed when a download confirmation advice is received from DPD.

Note: If this control file is changed then you must stop and start the queue. Otherwise the change will not take effect.

TMSDS/CM-OCON Order consolidation flag  If the system is set-up to only invoice when the product has been downloaded (see TMSDS/SD-INV for this configuration), the ‘invoice trigger’ flag in this control file for the customer must be set to automatic to be able automatically complete the invoice when the download confirmation interface is processed. 

Vendor rules

Control file  Setup
TMSDS/SD-DPD Digital product distributors   Set up the valid DPD codes and the DPD specific licence key generation program. If the licence key program is not defined then Iptor IP1 will generate the licence key or the access codes. 
TMSDS/ILK-TYP Item link types  Add DDL type to link DPD URL. 
TMSDS/SD-SSTS Supply direct: Supply status  This is system defined status for direct supply products.
TMSDS/SD-VNT Supply Direct: Vendor Type  System defined vendor types for items directly supplied by external vendors i.e. DPD or POD. 
TMSDS/SD-VNX Supply Direct: Vendor Code for web interface  Define the vendor ID’s for the web interface for DPD. This would be used to setup the job ID to be used in generating the specific web interface file to the DPD.  
TMSDS/SD-VNDFT Supply Direct: Vendor Defaults  Set up this control file to store various defaults for DPD. The key is by web interface vendor ID. 
TMSDS/SD-VNMAP Supply Direct: Vendor mapping  Set up this control file to convert the DPD code and the POD printer supplier code to the web interface vendor ID. It also has the rules of vendor acknowledgement of the download (for DPD) and printing instructions (for POD printers) and the notification of the product download (for DPD) and product delivery (for POD printers). 

Masterfiles setup

It is your responsibility to ensure that you understand this setup before performing the following tasks.

Note  Deviations from this procedure should be covered by procedures written by your company. Before performing any tasks please ensure all the business rules are set-up accordingly. For detailed information on any of these tasks refer to the User Manuals.
Task   Instructions
Setup digital warehouse

Menu: Base>Distribution>Masterfiles>Database Management>Warehouse>WH Logical Warehouse Maint. (WHW020).

  1. Setup a new logical digital warehouse with a warehouse type “G” (digital) for each company that will be selling digital products.

Note: All digital products (stockable and non-stockable) must be in the digital warehouse for that company.

 Create digital items

Menu: Base>Distribution>Masterfiles>Database Management>Item Masterfiles>IM Masterfile Maintenance (DSM015).

  1. Create digital items, including stockable and non stockable in Title masterfile.
  2. Flag the stock item flag as “D” for digital.
  3. Set the costing method to standard costing for non stockable.
  4. Stockable digital items can have any costing method.
  5. Set the volume, weights and dimension to zero.
  6. Set up product restrictions, classifications, selling prices, discounts, etc. as per normal.
Update stock status for customer groups 

Menu: Base>Distribution>Masterfiles>Database Management>Item Masterfiles> IM Masterfile Maintenance (DSM015).

  1. Select option ‘C’=Item Fields.
  2. Add the stock status for stockable and non stockable digital per customer groups. 

Note: A digital item can be stockable in one customer  group and non stockable  in another customer group.

Link digital items to DPD URL 

Menu: Base>Distribution>Masterfiles>Database Management>Item Masterfiles> IM Masterfile Maintenance (DSM015).

  1. Select option ‘O’=Item Link.
  2. Add the DPD URL link for the digital download.
Setup DPD rules 

Menu: Base>Distribution>Mastefiles>Database Management>Item Masterfiles>IM Digital Product Dist Rule (DSM355).

  1. Setup rules for the DPD selections definitions. 

Process flow & procedure

Digital product purchase & receipting

 Task Instructions
Enter or maintain a purchase order request,

Purchase order request can come from either EBP commitment or a PO demand.

MenuBase>Distribution>Warehouse Management>Inventory Management>Purchasing>Purchase Orders>PO Work with Purchase Orders.

  1. Enter/maintain purchase order details. Refer to Work with purchase orders.
Receive digital stock,
  1. Receive stockable digital via Non Loc Cont WH Receipts From Ship (DSE045)
  2. Import or key in access codes if required.

Results: Imported access codes will have the status ‘A’ for available.

Note: Excel template (DSW280.xlsx) is available for importing access codes. Template for uploading access code is supplied by Iptor. Refer to SOP Excel Upload and Download document for information on setting up network and folder details for the location of templates and upload files.

Receive physical stock,
  1. Receive any physical items via From PO/Shipment Loc Cont WH  (WHE045)

Create packs with print & digital components

Packs with digital items that have access codes will have the access codes supplied in the pack. The packs are normally for Bookstore customers.

 Task Instructions
Enter request to make digital packs,

MenuBase>Distribution>Inventory Management>Warehouse Management>Non RF Stock Control>Stock Adjustments>Systems/Packs>WH System/Pack Make Up (DSE170).

  1. Enter the required pack quantity.
  2. Click OK to confirm details.

Results:

  1. Access codes will be generated for non stockable.
  2. Access codes will be locked for printing; status ‘L
  3. Work order is generated (provided there is enough stockable digital if required).
  4. Generated work order will have status ‘K’.

Note: Auto backorder release in the EOD process can initiate pack makeup as well. Stockable digital components must be available if required for the pack makeup.

Release work order to warehouse

Menu: Base>Distribution>Inventory Management>Warehouse Management>Warehouse Control>Work Management>Release orders to warehouse (DSR100).

  1. Release work order.

Results: Order Status would be ‘DW’.

Release order to pick 

Menu: Base>Distribution>Inventory Management>Warehouse Management>Warehouse Control>Work Management>Release orders to pick (WHM070).

  1. Release to pick.
  2. Pick the physical components (print book & card).

Results: Order Status would be ‘DA’.

Pick confirm 

Menu: Base>Distribution>Inventory Management>Warehouse Management>Warehouse Control>Pick/Pack/Dispatch Confirm>Pick Confirm>WH Pick Confirm (DSE100).

  1. Pick confirm physical components.

Results: Order Status would be ‘A’.

Print or download access codes

Menu: Base>Distribution> Inventory Management>Warehouse Management>Stock Adjustments>Systems/Pack>Work with Work Orders (DSW285). Refer to Work with work orders in Warehouse Adjustments User Guide.

  1. Select the pack to print or download.
  2. Print/download access codes
  3. Confirm pack using function Complete.

Results:

  1.  Access codes status will be updated to ‘C’ for closed.
  2. Stock would be adjusted on pack confirm.

Note: Excel template (DSW285.xlsx) is available for downloading access codes for printing.

Digital product sales

 Task Instructions
Enter digital sales order,

Sales order request comes in via customer service or web services.

Menu: Base>Distribution>Order Processing & Billing>Order Processing>Order Entry>via Picking Slip>Order Types>PS Normal Order Entry (DSE005).

  1. Enter sales order header details.
  2. Enter sales order with digital items and quantities. Refer to Sales order entry  in Order Processing User Guide.

Note: All the normal supply rules (product is active, has correct stock status, satisfy applicability / restriction rules, etc.) will apply.

Results: Stock availability will be checked for stockable digital items; insufficient stock will push the order to back order. Order may pend depending on the pending configuration.

Review pending orders,

Normal pending rules will apply.

MenuBase>Distribution>Order Processing & Billing>Pending>General (DSE025). Refer to Pending order review in Pending User Guide.

  1. Approve/reject order.
Release order to warehouse (for physical stock),

Menu: Base>Distribution>Inventory Management>Warehouse Management>Warehouse Control>Work Management>Release orders to warehouse (DSR100). 

  1. Release to warehouse. 

Results: Order Status ‘DW’.

Release order to pick (for physical stock),

MenuBase>Distribution>Inventory Management>Warehouse Management>Warehouse Control>Work Management>Release orders to pick (WHM070).

  1. Release to pick
  2. Pick the physical components
Pick confirm (physical stock),

MenuBase>Distribution>Inventory Management>Warehouse Management>Warehouse Control>Pick/Pack/Dispatch Confirm>Pick Confirm>WH Pick Confirm (DSE100).

  1. Pick confirm physical components

Results

  1. System will check if the digital stock is stockable or non-stockable; if non stockable digital then it will generate access codes.
  2. Iptor will then send the order details & the access codes to the DPD.
  3. Order status ‘A’= awaiting invoice print.

On receipt of acknowledgement from the DPD, Iptor IP1 will email the download instructions and access codes to the customer/user.

The user can then download the digital item using the supplied access code.

Note:  Downloads can be executed up to ‘n’ number of times against a unique access code and will be considered as one unit so the price will be for a quantity of one. The quantity is determined by the number of access codes; it is independent of the number of times the product is downloaded. The number of downloads using the same access code will be decided, managed, and controlled by the DPD.

DPD will notify Iptor IP1 of the successful download.

Note: If the digital product invoicing rule (TMSDS/SD-INV) is set to await download confirmation then Iptor IP1 will complete the invoice on confirmation from the DPD of successful download.

Results:
Order status ‘C’= invoice printed and order is complete.     

Digital product claims

 Process Instructions
Enter claim request,

MenuBase>Distribution>Debtors & Claims>Claims Control>Entry>Claim Entry/Approval. Refer to Claim entry maintenance in Claims Control User Guide.

  1. Enter claim header details
  2. Enter the claim details(digital items, quantities, returns reason & original document number)
  3. Click OK to either select, enter/import access codes to be returned.

Results: Access code return entry screen will display to enter access codes being returned.

Enter access codes being returned,

If the original document number is entered on the header screen then the access codes will display which can be selected for return.

If the original document number is not entered then the access codes can either be manually entered or imported from an excel file.

  1. Select or Enter/Import access codes.

Results: Depending on Returns reason and the business rules setup (TMSDS/TR-RSN) the stock levels and the access codes will be updated as per below table.

Update stock (TMSDS/TR-RSN) Write/off (TMSDS/TR-RSN) DSWH AC status in DSTRS AC status in DSDAC
 Y  N Increase in stock levels H A
Y Y No change in stock levels C X
N N