ABOUT YOU

ABOUT YOU Holding SE is a German e-commerce group based in Hamburg. The online shop ABOUT YOU is one of Europe’s largest online retailers for fashion and lifestyle, with over 13 million active customers.

Closed beta test phase

The ABOUT YOU integration is currently in the closed beta test phase. If you are eligible for the closed beta test phase, PlentyONE will contact you.

1. Becoming a seller at ABOUT YOU

First, register as a seller with ABOUT YOU in order to be able to offer items on ABOUT YOU.
Afterwards, you will receive your access data that are required for the setup in PlentyONE.

2. Frequency of data exchange

After you have set up ABOUT YOU in PlentyONE, data is exchanged with the market in the intervals described in Table 1.

Table 1. Frequency of data exchange
Data Interval

Stock synchronisation

every 15 minutes

Price synchronisation

every 15 minutes

Order import

every 15 minutes

3. Setting up the data exchange

In order for the interface to successfully carry out the stock synchronisation, the price synchronisation, and the order import, certain settings are mandatory. Pay attention to the following list.

Table 2. Mandatory settings for ABOUT YOU
Settings section Settings

Order import

Basic settings for the sales channel in the menu Sales Channels » Accounts

  • The client API key is entered.

  • The order import is activated.

Updating offers on ABOUT YOU (price and stock synchronisation)

Basic settings for the sales channel

  • An account for ABOUT YOU is created.

  • The following channel settings for ABOUT YOU are carried out:

    • The client API key is entered.

  • The account is activated.

Catalogue settings

Variation settings

Listing settings

  • An offer listing is created.

  • The offer listing is activated.

  • The listing contains at least one variation.

  • The SKU of the existing offer on ABOUT YOU is saved as SKU for the offer listing in PlentyONE.

4. Workflow of an ABOUT YOU order

  • Your items are listed on ABOUT YOU.

  • Customers place an order on ABOUT YOU.

  • Customers make their payments to ABOUT YOU.

  • The order is imported into PlentyONE.

  • The order is shipped.

  • You send the shipping confirmation to ABOUT YOU via flow.

  • The invoice must be uploaded to ABOUT YOU via flow.

5. Setting up ABOUT YOU in PlentyONE

First, create an account and carry out the basic settings to set up the sales channel in PlentyONE. To do so, proceed as described below.

5.1. Creating an account

In the Sales Channels » Accounts menu, create an account for ABOUT YOU.

Creating an account:

  1. Open the Sales Channels » Accounts menu.

  2. Click on Create account (add).
    → The window Create account opens.

  3. Select ABOUT YOU from the drop-down list Platform.

  4. Select the Client (Shop) from the drop-down list.

  5. Enter a name for the account.

  6. Click on add CREATE.
    → The account for ABOUT YOU is created.

5.2. Account overview

In the Sales Channels » Accounts menu, you can create your ABOUT YOU account. In addition, you can find an overview of the account here.

Table 3 contains an overview of the accounts in the Sales Channels » Accounts menu.

Table 3. Accounts in the Sales Channels » Accounts menu.
Setting Explanation

bigtop_updates Connection

Connection status of the account.
Accounts can have the following connection statuses:

  • Connected (bigtop_updates) = The account is connected to the sales channel.

  • Disconnected (signal_disconnected) = The account is not connected to the sales channel.
    Note: If the account is Disconnected, this may be due to missing or incorrect basic settings for the sales channel.

Name

Account name.

more_vert More

Click here to display more actions.

settings Account settings

Open the account settings.

error Errors

Open errors for Product listings oder Offer listings. The number of errors for the product listings or offer listings for this account is shown in brackets.

list Product listings

Open the overview of product listings for this account.

toggle_off Activate account

Activate the account.

delete Delete account

Delete the account.

Listings online

Hover over Listings online to see the number of product listings and offer listings that are listed on sales channels for this account.

Errors

Hover over Errors to see the number of errors that occurred for product listings and offer listings.

5.3. Carrying out the channel settings for ABOUT YOU

Next, carry out the channel settings for ABOUT YOU.

Carrying out the channel settings for ABOUT YOU:

  1. Open the Sales Channels » Accounts menu.

  2. Click on the tile for ABOUT YOU.
    → The tab Channel settings opens.

  3. Carry out the settings. Pay attention to the explanations given in Table 4.
    Note: You can only configure the settings in the General, Orders and Data exchange sections once you have correctly entered the client API key correctly and saved the settings.

  4. Save () the settings.

Table 4. Channel settings for the sales channel ABOUT YOU
Setting Explanation

General

Sales channels

Select the sales channels on which you want to offer your items with this ABOUT YOU account.
Note: At present, you can only use the sales channels ABOUT YOU Germany and ABOUT YOU Austria.

API credentials

Client API Key

Enter the client API key that you have received from ABOUT YOU.

Orders

Order import

Activate to import ABOUT YOU orders in PlentyONE. Orders are then imported every 15 minutes.

Data exchange

Cron for offer export

Activate to automatically update offers on ABOUT YOU every 15 minutes.

Map shipping service providers

Add mapping (add)

Click Add mapping (add) to create mappings for shipping profiles.
First, select the PlentyONE shipping service provider from the drop-down list. Then select the Sales Channel for which you want to create the mapping and an available ABOUT YOU carrier.
Note: You must create at least one mapping per sales channel.

5.4. Modifying the account settings

In the Account settings tab, you can adjust the account’s name.

Carrying out account settings:

  1. Open the Sales Channels » Accounts menu.

  2. Open the account for ABOUT YOU.

  3. Open the settings Account settings tab.

  4. Enter the name.

  5. Save () the settings.

5.5. Activating the account

In the Sales Channels » Accounts menu, activate the account to enable the data exchange with ABOUT YOU.

Activating the account for ABOUT YOU:

  1. Open the Sales Channels » Accounts menu.

  2. Click More (more_vert) in the tile for ABOUT YOU.
    → A drop-down list with further options appears.

  3. Select the Activate account (toggle_on) option from the drop-down list.
    → The account is activated and data can be exchanged with ABOUT YOU.

5.6. Activating the order referrer

Go to Setup » Orders » Order referrer to activate the order referrer. This ensures that orders are assigned to the correct sales channel.

What is an order referrer?

An order referrer tags an order with the sales channel on which the order was generated. Sales channels can be e.g. your online shop or markets on which you sell your items. Each sales channel has an individual order referrer. Some order referrers are available by default in your PlentyONE system. Further order referrers are added e.g. if you install a new plugin. For further information about the order referrer, see the page Order referrer of the PlentyONE manual.

Activating the order referrer for ABOUT YOU:

  1. Go to Setup » Orders » Order referrer.

  2. Click Search (search).

  3. In the list, navigate to the ABOUT YOU with the ID 186.00.

  4. On the right of the referrer’s line, click on Edit (edit).
    → The window Edit referrer opens.

  5. Activate the option Visible in selection (toggle_on).

  6. Click on Save (save).
    → The referrer is active.

Note: If you want to sell your items on ABOUT YOU, then the parent referrer for ABOUT YOU must also be activated (186.00 ABOUT YOU). In addition, you have to activate the referrer for the ABOUT YOU sales channel on which you want to sell your items.

At present, you can only use the order referrers 186.00 ABOUT YOU, 186.01 ABOUT YOU Germany, and 186.02 ABOUT YOU Austria.

The following order referrers are available for ABOUT YOU:

  • 186.00 ABOUT YOU = Parent referrer for ABOUT YOU

  • 186.01 ABOUT YOU Germany = ABOUT YOU Germany

  • 186.02 ABOUT YOU Austria = ABOUT YOU Austria

  • 186.03 ABOUT YOU Netherlands = ABOUT YOU Netherlands

  • 186.04 ABOUT YOU Belgium = ABOUT YOU Belgium

  • 186.05 ABOUT YOU France = ABOUT YOU France

  • 186.06 ABOUT YOU Finland = ABOUT YOU Finland

  • 186.07 ABOUT YOU Denmark = ABOUT YOU Denmark

  • 186.08 ABOUT YOU Italy = ABOUT YOU Italy

  • 186.09 ABOUT YOU Spain = ABOUT YOU Spain

  • 186.10 ABOUT YOU Portugal = ABOUT YOU Portugal

Example: If you want to sell your items on ABOUT YOU Austria, you have to activate the parent referrer for ABOUT YOU (186.00 ABOUT YOU) and the referrer for ABOUT YOU Austria (186.02 ABOUT YOU Austria).

5.7. Setting the variation availability

You need to activate the variations that you want to sell on ABOUT YOU. This is done in the Availability and visibility section of a variation within the Item » Items » [Open item] » [Open variation] menu.

  • For one variation

  • Using variation group function

  • Using batch processing

Making a variation available for ABOUT YOU:

  1. Go to Item » Items » [Open item] » [Open variation].
    Tip: To sell all variations of an item on ABOUT YOU, carry out the settings for the item’s main variation. If the inheritance function is active for the variations, then this activates the availability of all variations of the item.

  2. In the Availability and visibility section, activate the option Active.

  3. In the Sales channels section, click Add sales channels (add).
    → The window Add sales channels opens.

  4. In the drop-down list Sales channels, select the option ABOUT YOU.

  5. Click Apply.
    → The sales channel is added.

  6. Save () the settings.
    → The variation is available for ABOUT YOU.

Use the variation group function to edit multiple variations at once. You select the variations that you want to edit.

Making several variations available for ABOUT YOU using the variation group function:

  1. Go to Item » Items.

  2. Set search filters as needed and start the search.

  3. Select () the variations to be edited.

  4. In the toolbar, click on layers » layers Variation group function.
    → The Variation group function window opens.

  5. Select the action Sales channels from the drop-down list Actions.
    → The action is added to the lower part of the window.

  6. In the drop-down list Sales channels, select the option ABOUT YOU.

  7. Select the action Active from the drop-down list Actions.
    → The action is added to the lower part of the window.

  8. Activate the option Active.

  9. Navigate to the area Availability.

  10. Click Execute to apply the settings.

Batch processing allows you to edit several variations at once. You use filters to limit which variations are edited.

Making several variations available for ABOUT YOU using batch processing:

  1. Go to Item » Batch processing.

  2. Click on the tab Variations in the upper left corner.

  3. Use the filters on the left to specify which variations should be processed.

  4. Navigate to the area Market availability.

  5. Activate the checkbox to the left of the option ABOUT YOU.

  6. Activate the checkbox to the right of the option ABOUT YOU.

  7. Navigate to the area Availability.

  8. Activate the checkbox to the left of the option Active.

  9. Activate the checkbox to the right of the option Active.

  10. Click on Apply to apply the settings to the variations.

6. Exporting offer data

Offer data is exported to ABOUT YOU using catalogues. Go to Data » Catalogues to create catalogues for ABOUT YOU.

What is a catalogue?

Catalogues are used to export data from your PlentyONE system. There are two different catalogue formats:

  • Marketplace formats are used to export item data to markets.

  • Standard formats are used to export data from your PlentyONE system into a file.

Catalogues with marketplace formats allow you to tailor your item information exactly to the needs of the market. Because here, you assign a suitable PlentyONE data field to each of the data fields of the market. When your variation data is exported to the market, the market’s data fields are then filled with the correct PlentyONE data.

6.1. Creating a catalogue

Offer data is exported to ABOUT YOU via a catalogue. Go to Data » Catalogues to create catalogues for ABOUT YOU. Afterwards, link the ABOUT YOU data fields with offer data saved in PlentyONE in the catalogue you created. If you have activated the catalogue, the account, the listing and the variations, the offer data is automatically exported to ABOUT YOU every 15 minutes.

Creating a catalogue:

  1. Go to Data » Catalogues.

  2. Click on Create catalogue (add).

  3. Enter a name for the catalogue.

  4. In the drop-down list Marketplace, select the option ABOUT YOU Offers.

  5. In the drop-down list Export type, select the option Listing.

  6. From the drop-down list Category, select the option ABOUT YOU Offers.
    Note: At present, you can only create offer catalogues for this sales channel.

  7. Click CREATE CATALOGUE.
    → The catalogue is created.
    → The catalogue is opened for editing.

6.1.1. Mapping data fields in the offer catalogue

After you have created an offer catalogue, map the channel’s data fields to item data saved in PlentyONE. This chapter describes how you map data fields and what particularities apply for item exports to ABOUT YOU.

  • The market expects product data that cannot be saved in the PlentyONE item menu? Then create a property for this data. Link this property with your variations. The actual values are saved as property values for this property. Is this your first time working with properties? Then read up on the principles of properties first.

Getting to know the catalogue menu for marketplace formats
catalogue menu colours
Availability Explanation

Navigation

When you open a catalogue, the view Mapping is shown. On the very left is the navigation.

  • Switch to other views of the catalogue.

  • Open the catalogue settings.

  • Use filters that limit the data that is exported.

  • Go back to the list of catalogues.

  • Create a new catalogue.

Toolbar

The toolbar provides actions for the catalogue. For example, save your mappings, restore an older version of the catalogue or hide or show optional marketplace data fields.

Marketplace data field

To the right of the navigation, all data fields available for the market are listed. Mandatory fields are marked with an asterisk (✱).
Tip: Show or hide optional marketplace data fields in the toolbar. To do so, click on the further actions (more_vert).

PlentyONE data fields

On the right side of the catalogue, you map the marketplace data fields to appropriate PlentyONE data fields. In the screenshot above, a few of the fields are already mapped.

Mapping catalogue fields:

  1. Go to Data » Catalogues.

  2. Click on the catalogue.
    → The Mapping tab opens.
    → In the left-hand column, the market’s data fields are listed.
    Tip: Mandatory fields are flagged with an asterisk (*).
    → In the right column, you map the PlentyONE data fields. Any PlentyONE data fields that you already mapped are also shown in this column.

  3. Map suitable PlentyONE data fields to the market data fields.
    For each marketplace data field, you have a number of mapping options. Expand the info boxes below to get more information about each of these mapping options.

    • Simple 1:1 mapping

    • Simple 1:1 mapping with properties

    • Complex 1:1 mapping

    • 1:1 mapping with fallback data fields

    • 1:n mapping

    • Own value mapping

    • Mapping with mathematical calculations

  4. Save () the catalogue.
    → The mappings are saved.

Simple 1:1 mapping: 1 marketplace data field, 1 PlentyONE data field

In a simple 1:1 mapping, you map a PlentyONE data field to the marketplace data field. If no suitable setting exists in PlentyONE. you can map a property instead.

As such, simple 1:1 mappings allow you to:

  • I want to fill this marketplace data field with the data from this PlentyONE setting.

  • If the data field is empty for a variation, no value is exported for this variation.

Creating a simple 1:1 mapping:

  1. Next to the marketplace data field, click on + Add data field.
    → To the left, the list of available PlentyONE data fields are shown in groups.

  2. Click on the group you need.
    → The PlentyONE data fields of the group are shown.

  3. Click on the plus to the right of the PlentyONE data field you want to select.
    → The PlentyONE data field is added to the right.

  4. Click on Confirm.

Example: Sales price and RRP for Otto Market

This gif shows you how to map the marketplace data fields Sales price and RRP for Otto Market to PlentyONE data fields:

gif catalogue mapping simple en
Simple 1:1 mapping: with properties: 1 marketplace data field, no PlentyONE data field

Reminder: In a simple 1:1 mapping, you map a PlentyONE data field to the marketplace data field. However, what can you do if PlentyONE does not offer a suitable data field? Then it’s the properties' moment to shine. Properties allow you to save any kind of information in your properties.

Creating a property:

  1. Create a property with the necessary values.
    Tip: Find out how to do that here.

Creating a simple 1:1 mapping with properties:

  1. Next to the marketplace data field, click on + Add data field.
    → To the left, the list of available PlentyONE data fields are shown in groups.

  2. Expand the group Property.
    → The property groups are shown.

  3. Expand the group you need.

  4. Click on the Plus sign on the right of the property you want.

  5. From the drop-down list Language, select the language in which you send the data to the market.

  6. Click on Confirm.
    → The property is mapped to the marketplace data field.

Complex 1:1 mapping: 1 marketplace data field, 1 PlentyONE data field

Like with the simple 1:1 mappings, you map a PlentyONE setting or property to a marketplace data field. Complex mappings are necessary whenever a marketplace data field has more than one possible value. Instead of mapping data fields, for complex mappings you map individual values of these data fields. For example, you cannot simply map the PlentyONE data field Shipping profile to the marketplace data field Shipping method. Why? The market cannot know which of your shipping profiles in PlentyONE corresponds to which of their shipping methods.

Do not enter own values for complex mappings. All values that you enter must be saved for the variations, either in a setting or as a property value. This also applies if the value Comparative value is shown. You still need to enter exactly the value of the setting or property that you mapped.

In complex mappings, the value of the market is always exported. Only when you map an own value, the own value that you enter is exported.

You can recognise complex mappings from the field that is shown below the name of the marketplace data field. Click on the field to show the values available for the marketplace data field.

catalogue complex mappings

Examples for complex 1:1 mappings are:

  • Categories

  • Brands

  • Shipping setting

Important: For complex mappings, do not map own values or properties of the type None.

Creating a complex 1:1:n mapping:

  1. Click on the field for the marketplace data field.
    → A list of the available values is shown.

  2. Select the value that you want to map a PlentyONE data field to.
    → The value is mapped.

  3. Next to the marketplace data field, click on + Add data field.
    → To the left, the available PlentyONE data fields are listed in groups.

  4. Click on a group.
    → The PlentyONE data fields of the group are shown.

  5. Click on the PlentyONE data field for which you want to map values.
    Important: Do not map own values or properties of the type None.

  6. Your next steps depend on the PlentyONE data field you selected:

    • Alternative 1: The available values for the PlentyONE data value are shown on the left.

      • Next to the value you want to select, click on the plus.
        → The value is added to the field on the right.

      • Click on Confirm.

    • Alternative 2: The PlentyONE data field is inserted and the field Comparative value is shown.

      • In the field Comparative value, enter a value that is saved in the setting or the property of the mapped PlentyONE data field.

      • Click on Confirm.

    • Alternative 3: The PlentyONE data field is inserted and a drop-down list is shown.

      • Select a value from the drop-down list.

      • Click on Confirm.
        → The value of the marketplace data field is exported, not the value of the PlentyONE data field.
        Exception: Only when you map an own value, the own value that you enter is exported.

Example: Delivery time in days for Otto Market

This gif shows you how to map suitable PlentyONE values to the values of the marketplace data fields Delivery time in days for Otto Market:

gif catalogue mapping complex en
1:1 mapping with fallback data fields: 1 marketplace data field, 1 PlentyONE data field with alternative(s)

In a 1:1 mapping with one or more fallback data fields, you map a PlentyONE data field to the marketplace data field. In addition, you specify one or more fallback data fields. This ensures that the system keeps looking if the first PlentyONE data field is missing or empty.

So this mapping specifies:

  • I want to fill the marketplace data field with the data from the selected PlentyONE setting.

  • If that data field is missing or empty for a variation, the first fallback data field is checked. The value of that fallback data field is exported instead.

  • If the first fallback data field is also missing or empty for the variation, the second fallback data field is checked. If a value is found, the value of the second fallback data field is exported for the variation etc.

Two separate fallback conditions are available:

Null (default)

The fallback data field is used if the data field above is mapped in the catalogue but not linked to the variation.

The condition "Null" is useful when you want to map fallback data fields for the following types of PlentyONE data fields:

  • SKU

  • Barcodes

  • Sales prices

  • Properties

Important: When you add a fallback data field, the fallback condition "null" is selected automatically. To apply the fallback condition "leer", you need to change the default setting.

Empty

The fallback data field is used if the data field above is mapped in the catalogue and linked to the variation, but is empty.

The condition "Empty" is useful when you want to map fallback data fields for the following type of PlentyONE data fields:

  • PlentyONE data fields that are available for variations by default

Important: When you add a fallback data field, the fallback condition "null" is selected automatically. To apply the fallback condition "leer", you need to change the default setting.

Note: Even if you assign one or more fallback data fields, the value of only one of those fields is exported. For each variation, the mapped PlentyONE data fields are checked in the order in which you mapped them. This means that if the first data field does not provide a value for a variation, the first fallback data field is exported etc.

Creating a 1:1 mapping with fallback data fields:

  1. Next to the marketplace data field, click on + Add data field.
    → To the left, the list of available PlentyONE data fields are shown in groups.

  2. Click on the group you need.
    → The PlentyONE data fields of the group are shown.

  3. Click on the plus to the right of the PlentyONE data field you want to select.
    → The PlentyONE data field is added to the right.

  4. In the list of PlentyONE data fields, click on the plus icon next to the PlentyONE data field that you want to map.
    → The fallback data field is added with the fallback condition "null".

  5. Alternative 1: To add the fallback data field with the fallback condition "null":

    1. Click on Confirm.
      → The fallback data field is exported if the data field above is not linked to the variation.

  6. Alternative 2: To add the fallback data field with the fallback condition "empty":

    1. To the left of the fallback data field, click on the cog ().
      → The window Data column settings is shown.

    2. For the setting Fallback condition, select the option Empty.

    3. Click on Save.
      → The fallback data field is added with the fallback condition "empty".

    4. Click on Confirm.
      → The fallback data field is exported if the data field above is empty for the variation.

Example: Fallback data field for SKU for Otto Market

This GIF shows you the mapping for the OTTO Market marketplace data field SKU. The PlentyONE data field SKU is mapped to this marketplace data field. The PlentyONE data field Variation ID is mapped as the fallback data field. The fallback condition "null" is applied automatically.

Result: The fallback data field Variation ID is exported if the data field SKU is not linked to the variation.

gif catalogue mapping fallback en
1:n mapping: 1 marketplace data field, several PlentyONE data fields

In a 1:n mapping, you map several PlentyONE data fields to the marketplace data field. You can link these data fields with a separator.

So this mapping specifies:

  • I want to combine these PlentyONE data fields during export so that the marketplace data field is filled with the data of these two or more PlentyONE settings.

Creating a 1:n mapping:

  1. Next to the marketplace data field, click on + Add data field.
    → To the left, the list of available PlentyONE data fields are shown in groups.

  2. Click on the group you need.
    → The PlentyONE data fields of the group are shown.

  3. Click on the plus to the right of the PlentyONE data field you want to select.
    → The PlentyONE data field is added to the right.

  4. Click on Confirm.

  5. To the right of the mapped PlentyONE data field, click on Add data field ().
    → To the left, the list of available PlentyONE data fields again are shown in groups.

  6. Map one or several additional PlentyONE data fields to the marketplace data field as described above.

  7. Click on Confirm.

  8. To the very right of the row, click on Settings ().

  9. Select a separator from the drop-down list Separator or add a custom separator.

  10. Click on Save.

  11. Save () the catalogue.
    → The mappings are saved.
    → During the export, the content of the PlentyONE data fields is combined and exported as one field.

Own value mapping: 1 marketplace data field, the same value for all variations

You are sure that you want to export the same value for all variations of a catalogue for a marketplace data field? Then specify an own value. This own value is then exported for all variations.

So this mapping specifies:

  • For this marketplace data field, I want to export the value that I entered in the field Own value for all variations of this catalogue. The value you enter is always exported. The value overwrites the market value also in complex mappings where usually the value of the market is exported. As such, make sure you enter an own value that the market accepts for this marketplace data field.

Creating an own value mapping:

  1. Next to the marketplace data field, click on + Add data field.
    → To the left, the list of available PlentyONE data fields are shown in groups.

  2. Click on the plus next to Own value at the top of the list.
    → The field for the own value is added to the view.

  3. Enter a value into the input field.
    → This value is exported for all variations.

Example: Diameter information

You want to export diameter information for some of your variations. The diameter is saved in centimetres for all your variations. Instead of creating a property for the unit and linking this property to the variations, you can enter the own value cm.

This is an example of how you can map an own value for the diameter unit:

gif catalogue own value en
Mapping with mathematical calculations: 1 Marketplace data field, the PlentyONE value is recalculated using the formula during export

Mathematical calculations allow you to change numerical values automatically during the export.

  • This function only works for data fields that contain numerical values.

  • This functionality is new and not available for all catalogue formats.

So this mapping specifies:

  • I want the numerical value of a PlentyONE data field to be recalculated during the export. Basic arithmetic operations are available for the formulas.

Recalculating numerical values:

  1. Next to the marketplace data field, click on + Add data field.
    → To the left, the list of available PlentyONE data fields are shown in groups.

  2. At the very top of the list, click on the plus icon next to Formula (calculate).
    → The data field Formula is added to the field on the right.

  3. Click into the data field.
    → The window Modify value is shown.

  4. Enter a numerical value or select a PlentyONE data field at the bottom right of the window to add it to the calculation (add).
    Tip: Use the search function. This helps you to find data fields quickly.

  5. Optional: If the symbol more_vert is shown in the data field, select the correct assignment for the data field.
    Tip: A number tells you how many assignments are necessary for the data field.

    1. Click on the icon more_vert.

    2. In the window shown, select the assignments from the drop-down list.

    3. Save the settings.

  6. Enter numbers and mathematical operators with the on-screen calculator or the keyboard.

  7. Save the settings.
    → The entered formula is displayed in the overview.
    → The calculation will be carried out in the next export.

To help you with mapping your data fields for the catalogue, we have created a list of recommended data field mappings. Note that these mappings are recommendations only. Depending on how you manage your item data, other mappings may be more appropriate than the recommendation given here.

  • Need more information about the PlentyONE data fields? All data fields are described on the manual page for the export type Listing.

6.1.2.1. List of recommended data field mappings for the format ABOUT YOU Offers

6.1.3. Activating the catalogue export

You have set up ABOUT YOU in PlentyONE and created a catalogue for exporting your offer data? Then activate the catalogues you want to export to ABOUT YOU in the Data » Catalogues menu and continue with creating offer listings.
Once you have activated the offer catalogue, the ABOUT YOU account, the offer listing and the variations, the offer data will be automatically exported to ABOUT YOU every 15 minutes.

Activating the catalogue export to ABOUT YOU:

  1. Go to Data » Catalogues.
    → The catalogues are listed.

  2. Scroll to the ABOUT YOU catalogue.

  3. In the Active column, move the toggle button to the right ().
    → The catalogue is active.
    → The catalogue data is exported to ABOUT YOU every 15 minutes.
    Tip: Go to Data » Catalogue export status for information about the status of the export.

6.2. Managing listings

You create and manage offers for ABOUT YOU via listings. The Sales channels » Accounts » [Open account] menu offers you an overview of your listings. Here you can create and manage product listings and offer listings. Click on the tile for ABOUT YOU to create product listings or offer listings for ABOUT YOU.

Right now, product listings cannot be created for ABOUT YOU. Instead create offer listings.

6.3. Offer listings

In the list offer listings menu of the account you gain an overview of your offer listings.

Tip: You can switch between specific views of offers and the listing group view via the menu button and folder.

  • menu gives you an overview of all the offer listings.

  • folder shows you the listing groups of the offer listings. Extend a listing group by clicking chevron_right, to see all listings within the group.

Applying search filters
If you only want to take a look at certain offer listings, apply filters and narrow down the listings which are displayed. To do so, click on Filters (tune) at the top of the menu.

Applying filters:

  1. Open the Sales Channels » Accounts » [Open account] » Offer listings menu.

  2. Click on Filters (tune) at the top of the menu.

  3. Select one or multiple filters.

  4. Click Search (search).
    → The selected filters are applied and the appropriate offer listings are displayed.
    → The filters that were applied are displayed at the top of the menu.

Tip: You can also reset (refresh) the selected filters. Then all offer listings will be displayed again.

  • Single listing view

  • Group view

Table 5 offers an overview of the single listing view of offer listings.

Table 5. Offer listings overview
Column Explanation

Data sync

This column indicates whether data exchange for the offer listing is active or paused.
Tip: You can activate the data exchange in the listing’s line via more_vert » toggle_on Activate data sync .

Group ID

The ID of the listing group to which the offer listing is assigned. By clicking on the ID, you can open the listing group view.

Listing Name

Name of the offer listing.

SKU

SKU of the offer listing.
Note: You can edit the SKU. To do so, click Activate editing mode (edit). Make the changes and click Save (save) to apply them. If you want to exit the editing mode, click Deactivate editing mode (edit_off).

Variation ID

ID of the variation.

Channel

The sales channel to which the listing is exported.

Status on Channel

Displays the listing status on the sales channel, for example if the listing is already listed on the sales channel. Possible status are:

  • help = Unknown

  • progress_activity = Outstanding

  • progress_activity = Creation pending

  • cancel = Failed (before creation)

  • check_circle = Online

  • cancel = Failed (on update)

  • pause_circle = Paused

  • unpublished = Offline

Note: For platforms with multiple sales channels, the number after the status icon indicates on how many sales channels the offer listing has this status.

List on

The sales channels on which the offer listing is to be offered are displayed here.
Click on the pencil icon (edit) to add or remove sales channels.

Errors

The error overview.
No entry = No errors occurred.
circle = Errors occurred. The number indicates the number of errors.

Template

The template selected for the listing.

Catalogue

The catalogue selected for the listing.

Creation date

The date and time on which the listing was created.

more_vert

Click here to display more actions.

toggle_on Activate data sync

Activate to permit the data exchange between the sales channel and the listing.
Note: Even if the Activate data sync option is activated, the listing will not be immediately listed on the sales channel. The listing data is only permitted to be exported to the sales channel. It depends on the respective sales channels when a listing is online.

delete Delete listing

delete Delete listing

preview Preview export results

Generates the preview of the export results. The preview opens in a separate window.

Table 6 offers an overview of the group view of offer listings.

Table 6. Group view of the offer listings
Column Explanation

Data sync

This column indicates whether data exchange for the listing group is active or paused.
Tip: You can activate the data exchange in the listing group’s line via more_vert » toggle_on Activate data sync.

Group name

Name of the listing group

SKU

SKU of the listing group.

Channel

The sales channel to which the listing group is exported.

Errors

The error overview.
No entry = No errors occurred.
circle = Errors occurred. The number indicates the number of errors.

Template

The template selected for the listing group.

Catalogue

The catalogue selected for the listing group.

Creation date

The date and time on which the listing group was created.

more_vert

Click here to display more actions.

toggle_on Activate data sync

Activate to permit the data exchange between the sales channel and the listing group.
Note: The data sync must also be activated for the single listing to list an offer listing on a sales channel.
Even if the Activate data sync option is activated in a listing group, the listings in this group will not be immediately listed on the sales channel. The listing data is only permitted to be exported to the sales channel. It depends on the respective sales channels when the listings are online.

delete Delete listing group

Delete listing group.

preview Preview export results

Generates the preview of the export results. The preview opens in a separate window.

6.3.1. Creating listings

Offers are transferred to ABOUT YOU as listings. Carry out the following steps to create listings for ABOUT YOU.

What are product listings and offer listings used for?

  • If the item you want to sell is not listed on the sales channel yet you will need to create a product listing for it first. Creating a product listing sends the product data to the sales channel and allows for the item to be listed.
    In order to actually be able to sell the item on the sales channel you will need to additionally create an offer listing. The offer listing contains data related to the sale of the item, such as its price and stock. In other words, a product listing allows you to list an item on a sales channel that did not previously exist on that sales channel, but in order to sell that item on that sales channel you also need an offer listing for that item.

  • If the item you want to sell is already listed on the sales channel you only need to create an offer listing. Offer listings send the data related to your offer, such as the price, stock, shipping costs etc., to the sales channel.
    In most cases you will only need an offer listing in order to offer a product on a sales channel. Many sales channels do not differentiate between product and offer listings. You only need to send offer listings to these kinds of sales channels.

At present, you can only create offer listings for ABOUT YOU.
6.3.1.1. Create offer listing

Offer listings are created in three steps:

  • First, you enter listing details, meaning you select the platform, template, and catalogue for the listing.

  • Next, you select the variations from which the offer listings are created.

  • Lastly, check and confirm your selection and create the listings.

Step 1: Specify listing details:

  1. Open the Sales Channels » Accounts menu.

  2. Open the account for ABOUT YOU.
    → The Offer listings menu opens.

  3. Click add Create offers.
    → The Create offers tab opens.

  4. Select the platform ABOUT YOU.

  5. Select the template for the catalogue.
    Tip: Only templates that are available for the platform ABOUT YOU are displayed.

  6. Select the sales channel on which the listing should be offered.

  7. Select a catalogue with your mappings for offer data.
    Tip: If you have no fitting catalogue yet, click on add Create catalogue. You will be forwarded to the Data » Catalogues menu and can create a catalogue.

  8. Optional: Activate Automatically activate listings after creation, if listing data should be automatically transferred to ABOUT YOU after the listing is created.

  9. Click arrow_forward NEXT.
    → The Select variations view opens. Next, select the variations you want to add to the listing.

Step 2: Select variations:

  1. Select the variations you want to create the offer listing for.
    Tip: Use the search to filter for variations.
    Note: Only variations that are linked to ABOUT YOU in the Item » Items » [Open item] » [Open variation] menu are displayed.
    Tip: If you want to create offer listings for all available variations, click on Click here to create listings for all [] variations above. You will be automatically redirected to the Preview and confirmation step. Offer listings can be created for a maximum of 50,000 variations at a time.

  2. Click add ADD TO SELECTED VARIATIONS.
    → The selected variations are displayed in the Selected variations section.
    Note: If you check a variation in the Selected variations section, you can remove the variation from the selection by clicking Remove from list.

  3. Click arrow_forward NEXT.
    → The selected variations will be displayed in a new view. In the last step, you preview and confirm your selection.

Step 3: Preview and confirm selection:

  1. Preview your settings in the Listing details section.

  2. Preview your selected variations in the Listing preview section. The listings are grouped by items. Extend a listing group (chevron_right) to see which variations are contained in the respective listing group.

  3. If everything is set and done, click CREATE OFFER LISTINGS.
    Note: If you activated Automatically activate listings after creation a window with a summary of your settings opens. Click check CONFIRM to create the offer listings.

6.4. Assigning offer listings for offer updates

In order for existing offers on ABOUT YOU to be updated, offer listings in PlentyONE must have the same SKU as the offer already active on ABOUT YOU. To add the SKU in PlentyONE, check your offers on ABOUT YOU and save the corresponding SKU at your offer listings in PlentyONE.
You can find the SKUs for your offers on ABOUT YOU in the ABOUT YOU SellerCentre under Products » Manage Products » [Open product] » Field: SKU.

Saving the SKU for offer listings in PlentyONE:

  1. Open the Sales Channels » Accounts menu.

  2. Open the ABOUT YOU account.

  3. Open the tab list Offer listings.

  4. In the column SKU, click edit.

  5. Enter the offer’s ABOUT YOU SKU.
    Note: You can find the SKU of your offer on ABOUT YOU in the ABOUT YOU SellerCentre under Products » Manage Products » [Open product] » Field: SKU.

  6. Save () the settings.

7. Automating order processing

Create event-based flows to automatically inform ABOUT YOU about changes to the order status. The following actions are available for ABOUT YOU in the PlentyONE Flow Studio:

  • Automatically inform ABOUT YOU that the items have been shipped. (How?)

  • Automatically inform ABOUT YOU about cancellations. (How?)

  • Automatically inform ABOUT YOU about returns. (How?)

Note: At ABOUT YOU, flows are processed asynchronously. This means that if errors occur, the error messages are not displayed in the Flow Tracker immediately after the flow has been executed. Instead, after about 15 minutes, you can check for errors in the Data » Log menu.

What is PlentyONE Flow?

With PlentyONE Flow (short: "Flow"), you can automate workflows for your business processes. Flow provides you with two functions in the Automation menu:

  • In Flow Studio, you create and configure automated workflows. Depending on the trigger type, there are three flow types: event-based, time-based or manual.

  • In the Flow Tracker, you can monitor ongoing or finished workflows.

The central element in both functions is the Canvas – a graphical interface on which the workflows are visualised with Actions and Controls. In Flow Studio the canvas can be edited, in Flow Tracker it is only used for visualisation and is therefore read-only.

7.1. Send shipping confirmation to ABOUT YOU

Create an event-based flow to automatically inform ABOUT YOU that you have shipped the items of an order.

Creating an event-based flow

  1. Go to Automation » Flow Studio.

  2. Click Create flow (add).
    → A stepper opens and guides you through the following three steps.

    1. General

      1. Enter a unique name and, if necessary, a description for the new flow.

      2. Click Next.

    2. Trigger

      1. Select Event-based as the trigger.

      2. Click Next.

    3. Settings

      1. If desired, select a UI from the optional drop-down list Flow available in.
        → The option to manually trigger the flow directly from the selected UI is added to the group functions in that UI.
        Note: UIs currently selectable: Order UI.

      2. From the drop-down list Trigger selection, select the event according to Table 7.
        Note: If the trigger event has additional settings, then these are invariably mandatory. Without performing these settings, you will not be able to save the flow.

      3. Save ​​() the settings.
        → The flow is created.
        → The Flow Studio Canvas appears, on which two elements are already displayed: The trigger type and the placeholder for the next step.
        Note: With some event-based flows you cannot save the flow if it consists of only a trigger. In such cases, you need to add at least one further step.

  3. Configure the new flow according to Table 7.

  4. Save ​​() the settings.

Note: The selected statuses, controls and filters in Table 7 only serve as an example. Select the status, controls and filters for the flow which best suit your workflow.

Table 7. Event-based Flow for sending shipping confirmations to ABOUT YOU
Setting Option Selection

Trigger selection

Select an event, for example:

  • Order > Order status changed

or

  • Order > Book outgoing items

Select an order status, for example:

  • [7] Outgoing items booked

Control element

Branch

  • Object type: Order

  • Filter settings for the branch:
    Note: If you want to use multiple filters, add the additional filters as conditions (playlist_add). Select AND as the relationship between the conditions.

Filter Operator Input field

Order > Referrer

Is in (IN)

Select the order referrers for the ABOUT YOU sales channels that you want to use this flow for.

Actions

Multichannel > AboutYou

Send shipping confirmation to AboutYou

7.2. Automatically sending cancellations

Create an event-based flow to automatically inform ABOUT YOU about cancellations. Note that orders marked as shipped can no longer be cancelled.

Creating an event-based flow

  1. Go to Automation » Flow Studio.

  2. Click Create flow (add).
    → A stepper opens and guides you through the following three steps.

    1. General

      1. Enter a unique name and, if necessary, a description for the new flow.

      2. Click Next.

    2. Trigger

      1. Select Event-based as the trigger.

      2. Click Next.

    3. Settings

      1. If desired, select a UI from the optional drop-down list Flow available in.
        → The option to manually trigger the flow directly from the selected UI is added to the group functions in that UI.
        Note: UIs currently selectable: Order UI.

      2. From the drop-down list Trigger selection, select the event according to Table 8.
        Note: If the trigger event has additional settings, then these are invariably mandatory. Without performing these settings, you will not be able to save the flow.

      3. Save ​​() the settings.
        → The flow is created.
        → The Flow Studio Canvas appears, on which two elements are already displayed: The trigger type and the placeholder for the next step.
        Note: With some event-based flows you cannot save the flow if it consists of only a trigger. In such cases, you need to add at least one further step.

  3. Configure the new flow according to Table 8.

  4. Save ​​() the settings.

Note: The selected statuses, controls and filters in Table 8 only serve as an example. Select the status, controls and filters for the flow which best suit your workflow.

Table 8. Event-based flow to send a cancellation to ABOUT YOU
Setting Option Selection

Trigger selection

Select an event, for example:

  • Order > Order status changed

Select a status, for example:

  • [8] Cancelled

or

  • [8.1] Cancelled by customer

Control element

Branch

  • Object type: Order

  • Filter settings for the branch:
    Note: If you want to use multiple filters, add the additional filters as conditions (playlist_add). Select AND as the relationship between the conditions.

Filter Operator Input field

Order > Referrer

Is in (IN)

Select the order referrers for the ABOUT YOU sales channels that you want to use this flow for.

Actions

Multichannel > AboutYou

Send cancellation to AboutYou

7.3. Reporting returns to ABOUT YOU

Create an event-based flow to automatically inform ABOUT YOU about returns.

Creating an event-based flow

  1. Go to Automation » Flow Studio.

  2. Click Create flow (add).
    → A stepper opens and guides you through the following three steps.

    1. General

      1. Enter a unique name and, if necessary, a description for the new flow.

      2. Click Next.

    2. Trigger

      1. Select Event-based as the trigger.

      2. Click Next.

    3. Settings

      1. If desired, select a UI from the optional drop-down list Flow available in.
        → The option to manually trigger the flow directly from the selected UI is added to the group functions in that UI.
        Note: UIs currently selectable: Order UI.

      2. From the drop-down list Trigger selection, select the event according to Table 9.
        Note: If the trigger event has additional settings, then these are invariably mandatory. Without performing these settings, you will not be able to save the flow.

      3. Save ​​() the settings.
        → The flow is created.
        → The Flow Studio Canvas appears, on which two elements are already displayed: The trigger type and the placeholder for the next step.
        Note: With some event-based flows you cannot save the flow if it consists of only a trigger. In such cases, you need to add at least one further step.

  3. Configure the new flow according to Table 9.

  4. Save ​​() the settings.

Note: The selected statuses, controls and filters in Table 9 only serve as an example. Select the status, controls and filters for the flow which best suit your workflow.

Table 9. Event-based flow to report returns to ABOUT YOU
Setting Option Selection

Trigger selection

Select an event, for example:

  • Order > Order status changed

Select a status, for example:

  • [9] Return

Control element

Branch

  • Object type: Order

  • Filter settings for the branch:
    Note: If you want to use multiple filters, add the additional filters as conditions (playlist_add). Select AND as the relationship between the conditions.

Filter Operator Input field

Order > Referrer

Is in (IN)

Select the order referrers for the ABOUT YOU sales channels that you want to use this flow for.

Actions

Multichannel > AboutYou

Send return to AboutYou

8. Deleting an account

In the account overview of the Sales Channels » Accounts menu, you can delete an ABOUT YOU account. Before deleting an ABOUT YOU account, make sure that no orders exist anymore and that the account is deactivated.

Deleting an account:

  1. Open the Sales Channels » Accounts menu.

  2. Click More (more_vert) in the tile for ABOUT YOU.
    → A drop-down list with further options appears.

  3. Click on Delete account (delete).
    → A pop-up for deleting the account opens. If you want to delete the account, confirm the pop-up by clicking on delete Delete account.
    → The account is deleted.

9. Viewing the data log

Error reports of the export are logged in the Data » Log menu. In order to view the data log and search for specific errors, proceed as follows.

Viewing the data log:

  1. Go to Data » Log.
    → The data log overview opens.

  2. At the top, click on Filter (tune).

  3. Enter the option REPORT in the Level field.

  4. Click Search (search).
    → The reports are displayed. Check which reports were generated for ABOUT YOU.