KB Article #773
If your dealer management system (DMS) can produce a file in OEC’s standard inventory file format for tire distributors, OEC can receive parts inventory information from your DMS for use in our solutions. A regular inventory upload ensures potential buyers have access to your current information-helping you sell more parts to a larger audience and move idle inventory off your shelves faster. Please use the information below to prepare your inventory for OEC's Dealer Direct service.
Important: Please keep in mind that the instructions below are designed to act as guide. Variations such as system software updates, site-specific system customization, etc. may not be reflected in these instructions. For specific information on file generation, please contact your DMS provider for assistance.
Preparing Your Inventory File:
Below are the details of the OEC Standard Tire Parts Inventory File Specification that must be followed to successfully upload your inventory. Although OEC recommends that dealers provide all fields listed, the Publishing Code, Tire Manufacturer, Tire Manufacturer Part Number, and Quantity on Hand fields are only required on each record in order to publish that line of data.
Rules:
- The inventory file must be a text document with fields that are comma separated/delimited.
- Each row in the file represents a tire part.
- The inventory file name must end with a TXT file extension (*.txt) to be accepted by the OEC FTP site.
- Inventories from multiple locations / publishing codes should be included in the same file if possible and are differentiated by the publishing code in column one of your file.
- Publishing Codes will be supplied by OEC for each location. Note: If you choose to send one bulk inventory file for all your locations, use the FTP credentials of your main location to upload the file to the FTP site.
- Duplicate parts can be sent. OEC will merge the part number lines and add the Quantity On Hand together.
|
Field |
Example |
Required (Y/N) |
|
Publishing |
4112345 |
Y |
|
Tire |
TIREMANUFACTURER1 |
Y |
|
Tire |
25526425 |
Y |
|
OEM Name |
OEMName1 |
N |
|
OEM Part Number |
35745698 |
N |
|
Consolidator (Internal) |
5423615 |
N |
|
Product |
White Wall P225/50R16 |
N |
|
Tire Size |
P225/50R16 |
N |
|
Section Width |
225 |
N |
|
Aspect Ratio |
50 |
N |
|
Rim Diameter |
16 |
N |
|
Intended use or vehicle class |
P |
N |
|
Source |
20 |
N |
|
Quantity on Hand |
10 |
Y |
|
Quantity on Order |
12 |
N |
|
Entry Date |
04/01/2014 |
N |
|
Last Sale Date |
04/23/2014 |
N |
|
Last Order Date |
03/14/2014 |
N |
|
Exception Code |
|
N |
Example Data 1 (Two Part Lines):
"5423615", "White Wall P225/50R16", "P225/50R16", "225", "50", "16", "P", "20", "10", "12", "04/01/2014","04/23/2014", "03/14/2014", ""
"4112345", "TIREMANUFACTURER2", "25521110", "OEMName1", "35741110", "5421110", "White Wall 24X10", "24X10", "24", "10", "16", "P", "20", "10", "12", "04/01/2014","04/23/2014", "03/14/2014", ""
Example Data 2 (Two Part lines with the Minimum Requirements):
"4112345", "TIREMANUFACTURER1", "25526425", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "10", "", "","", "", ""
"4112345", "TIREMANUFACTURER2", "25521110", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "10", "", "","", "", ""
Valid Tire Program Manufacturers:
These are the only acceptable values for field #2, Tire Manufacturer. Any deviation from this list will invalidate the record and the part number will not be made available in D2DLink locates.
- BF Goodrich or BFGoodrich
- Bridgestone
- Continen or Continental
- Cooper
- Daihatsu
- Dunlop or Dunlop Tire
- Falken
- Firestone
- General
- Gislaved
- Goodyear
- Hankook
- Kelly
- Kumho
- Laufenn
- Michelin
- Mohawk
- Nitto
- Pirelli
- Republic
- Tag
- Toyo
- Uniroyal
- Yokohama
- Yugo
Submitting Your Inventory File to OEC:
After preparing your file in the correct format, the inventory file must be exported and then uploaded to the OEC.
Notes:
- Files that are larger than 95 megabytes (MB) will be rejected by the system.
- To publish the file successfully, the contents must be in a comma-delimited format. However, the extension on the filename may need to changed from *.CSV to *.TXT when exported from your DMS. For example, filename "D111111.CSV" must be changed to "D111111.TXT".
To send the file via FTP:
- Save your file to a convenient location on your computer and rename it using the Inventory File Name provided to you by OEC.
- Open Windows Explorer. Type ftp://ftp.oeconnection.com in the address line and press the ENTER key.
- The Log On As window will display. Type or copy and paste the User name and Password provided by OEC into the fields provided.
- Check the Save Password box so Windows Explorer will remember the User name and Password you log in with.
- Click Log On. If you have logged into the FTP site successfully you should see a blank area display on the right-hand pane of the Windows Explorer window.
- Locate the saved inventory file and use one of the methods below to upload your file:
- Option 1: Copy and paste the file into the area shown.
- Option 2: Drag and drop the file into the area shown.
- When your file is uploaded, it will display in the area shown, however, it may disappear after a moment. This is normal and does not mean there is an issue with the file. Note: You will not be able to delete or change the file after it is uploaded.
- Click the X in the upper right-hand corner to close Windows Explorer and disconnect from the OEC FTP site. Your inventory information should be available within the hour.
To ensure dealers have access to your latest stock, be sure to send this file everyday!