Order simulation for test purpose
In order to test the web service independently as much as possible, a test order based on a few characteristics, that the customer provides, must be processed fully automatically. The functionality described here is available on CB's test environment, but not on the production environment.
Operation of order simulation web service MediaOrderB2C
The order simulation functionality is built into the order handling and processing.
Simulation characteristic
An order is included in the order simulation on the basis of a test characteristic in the order. The attribute identifier is:
Test attribute
$CB*TST
The attribute is 7 positions long. The maximum length of command reference fields supported is 10 positions. The remaining 3 positions are reserved for additional command instructions.
The customer can specify this attribute in one of the two order reference fields:
- BuyerReference
- OwnerReference
The customer can choose which field is used for the characteristic. The other field remains available for the customer's reference. A customer who wants to use both order reference fields in production for his own references must, in order to apply the order simulation, choose which of the two fields is “sacrificed” for the characteristic.
Order Instructions
By default one ShippingUnitID is created for each order, independent of the number of order lines, ordered copies and dimensions of the items. We simulate that everything fits into one ShippingUnitID, which gives the customer a clear expectation of the result of the order. In practice, not everything fits in a ShippingUnitID, so the customer can indicate in the order how many ShippingUnitID's CB need to create.
Test characteristic addition for more than one ShippingUnitID
This is optional and is placed after the test attribute with:
Cnn
Where nn stands for the number of ShippingUnitID's (2 to 99). For instance:
- $CB*TSTC3 => Test feature + request for 3 ShippingUnitID's
- $CB*TSTC05 => Test feature + request for 5 ShippingUnitID's
- $CB*TSTC15 => Test feature + request for 15 ShippingUnitID's
The maximum number of ShippingUnitID's to be made is equal to the number of copies ordered (i.e. 1 copy per ShippingUnitID). If more ShippingUnitID's are requested than there are ordered copies in an order, a ShippingUnitID is created for each ordered copy. No error message or warning is given.
Orderline instruction
By default, for each OrderLine, the number of copies ordered is also included in the ShippingUnitID as delivered. In practice, various scenarios are possible, as a result of which a different number of copies is delivered. The order simulation supports one scenario, a shortage ('manco') situation. The customer can indicate at the command line how many copies are reported missing.
Scenario 'Shortage' situation
This is optional and comes with the shortage attribute:
$MANCO;n
Where n stands for the number of ShippingUnitID's (2 to 99). For instance:
- $MANCO:1 => Request for 1 copy shortage with this order line
- $MANCO:5 => Request for 5 copy shortage with this order line
The maximum number of shortages is the number of copies ordered. If more shortages are requested than there are ordered copies in a OrderLine, then 0 (null) copies delivered are reported. No error message or warning is given. No new OrderLine for the missing copies is created. The intended situation is to deliver less than requested. Backordering is not supported in order simulation.
Test articles
| Articles available for test | |||||
| ISBN | Titel | Imprint | DiscountCode | ProductAvailability | Stock YES/NO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9789029511537 | Europa | Querido | A | Herdruk | NO |
| 9789029585071 | Minder piekeren over geld | De Arbeiderspers | A | Aangekondigd | NO |
| 9789063055998 | Mannen geld & chocola (Grote letter) | Archipel | O | Uitverkocht | NO |
| 9789045119731 | Vrolijk kijkwoordenboek | Querido | S | Verschenen | YES |
| 9789045119755 | Thomas en de kerstkarper | Querido | A | Verschenen | YES |
| 9789025307349 | Salammbo | Athenaeum | A | Verschenen | YES |
| 9789025308339 | De verdeelde aarde | Athenaeum | A | Verschenen | YES |
| 9789025309640 | Walvissen groot en vet | Athenaeum | A | Verschenen | YES |
| 9789025309954 | Op zoek naar de zwarte masseur | Athenaeum | A | Verschenen | YES |
| 9789029505598 | Liefde in Pangea | De Arbeiderspers | A | Verschenen | YES |
| 9789029506182 | De buitenvrouw | De Arbeiderspers | A | Verschenen | YES |
| 9789029506335 | Zes sterren | De Arbeiderspers | A | Verschenen | YES |
| 9789029506885 | Americana | De Arbeiderspers | A | Verschenen | YES |
Results for customer
The customer is informed almost immediately when the order status is changed. The diagram below shows which stages are defined and which web service operations are used to communicate or make information available to the customer.
Description:
- The customer places one or more items in the shopping cart of a shop
- The webshop submits the order to CB
- CB checks the order and if accepted, CB sends an order notification with status event “In Progress”
- CB reserves stock and releases the order (line) for logistics. The order line cannot be cancelled from that moment on. CB sends an order notification with status event “ProductionReady”
- The webshop can retrieve the status of the order to see which order lines have been released
- CB performs the order simulation and sends a shipment notification per shipment unit with status event “Processed”
- The webhop can retrieve the details of each shipment unit and thus inform the customer.