XML Tools - Integrate Your Business

Using Nexternal's XML Tools has been really great. I've been able to integrate the Nexternal store admin with a variety of services for Nexternal clients using XML Tools. In fact, it's so straightforward and well documented that I was able to create an entire service built around it with Virtual Product Solutions. It's a really powerful tool at the disposal of Nexternal merchants.
— Chris Lohman, Virtual Product Solutions

Nexternal's ecommerce software offers XML Tools designed to allow data synchronization and integration with third party systems housing similar data. All Tools involve server-to-server communication whereby the initiating server sends a Request XML document to the appropriate URL, then receives a Reply XML document from Nexternal, then parses that document and takes appropriate action to achieve the desired integration.

Nexternal offers nine powerful XML Tools:

  • OrderQuery allows merchants to "export" all order information including customer and line item data.
  • OrderCalculate allows merchants to retrieve information about the possible shipping rates and methods,discounts and taxes, and the current inventory levels for each line item in an order.
  • OrderCreate enables merchants to push order data into Nexternal from third party systems. This is useful in many scenarios. For example, if a company moves to Nexternal from a different system and wants to keep historical order data or if a merchant uses a third party call center and wants to push data from their software into Nexternal's system.
  • OrderUpdate is used to update Order and Line Item Statuses including importing tracking numbers.
  • CustomerQuery contains all customer information including custom field and additional address information.
  • CustomerUpdate is used to update and add customer information including multiple addresses and preferred credit cards.
  • ProductQuery allows merchants to "export" all information specific to products.
  • ProductUpdate allows merchants to add and update product information.
  • InventoryUpdate completes the suite and allows the merchant's Nexternal system to receive inventory information from another system. Inventory could also be updated via the ProductUpdate, however, this tool is much simpler if the only goal is to update inventory levels.

Successful use of the XML Tools requires considerable expertise in XML and the Nexternal Order Management System, as well as the necessary technology assets (i.e. hardware, software, internet service, etc).

Some of Nexternal's clients have used the XML Tools to create real-time integrations with the following systems:

If you don't have the resources in-house to perform such an integration, please see our Integrators Partner Page.

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