SAGE has launched a new version of its Supplier Integration Toolkit, a complete application programming interface (API) for industry suppliers to use to exchange data in real time with distributors through the SAGE network. The new version, 2.0, expands the capabilities of SAGE's previous toolkit to provide new functionality and capabilities that have been requested by suppliers and distributors.

Using the toolkit, suppliers can:

  • Update product information and pricing in real time 24/7/365

  • Show real-time inventory status within SAGE's research tools

  • Provide distributors with instant order status change notifications

  • Consume orders placed through the SAGE network for electronic entry into back-end systems (instead of retyping from emailed PDFs)

  • Leverage the SAGE database to verify distributors

"Our Supplier Integration Toolkit is by far the best way for suppliers to get ahead of their competition in today's marketplace," says David Natinsky, president of SAGE. "Distributors are craving real-time product data, inventory and order status like they get with B2C sites like Amazon. Once the initial, one-time connection is set up, suppliers can effortlessly and continuously provide all of this to over 45,000 distributor users in the SAGE network. It's truly one and done."

Brian Pritchard, director of IT at SAGE, adds, "It was really important to us that we design our integration toolkit in a way that makes it as easy as possible for suppliers. Because it's a push network, suppliers can simply push data to us using a standard, secure HTTPS post. Suppliers don't have to set up web services, deal with complex security and availability issues, or the like. Once a supplier has the data out of their back-end system in a usable format, it usually takes literally less than an hour to be sending the data to us. It's really that easy."

SAGE provides supplier data to the industry through its distributor services, SAGE Online, SAGE Web and SAGE Mobile. SAGE also provides a data feed for distributors who want to connect the raw data to their own internal systems.

The Supplier Integration Toolkit v2.0 is available now for all SAGE Advantage Members. There is no additional cost to use the toolkit.