Information Sent & Received via Pubnet

Pubnet can deliver many different types of electronic documents sent to/from a retailer POS and the retailer's suppliers. There are 4 main document types used in ordering. We refer to these as the Core Four:

1. A PO (purchase order, called an 850 document) from the POS to a supported supplier
2. A POA (purchase order acknowledgment, called an 855 document) from the supplier to a retailer POS confirming receipt of the order
3. An ASN (advance ship notice, called an 856 document) from the supplier to the retailer POS, detailing the books in a specific box
4. An Invoice (an 810 document) from the supplier to a retailer POS

Additionally, some POS providers support supplier stock-checking (technically this is carried out behind-the-scenes through our Pubeasy platform).

Purchase orders require a purchase order number and a list of ISBNS and quantities. You can also set whether you will accept backordered items. Supplier promo codes may be used when placing orders via Pubnet. If supported by the POS, a retailer may also specify shipping level (eg, standard ground, 2nd day, overnight).

After a retailer sends an order, Pubnet delivers it to the supplier, who will “pick it up” and process it within 1-2 business days. The supplier will respond with a POA that verifies receipt of the order, availability by line item, and corrected pricing.
 

Once the POA is processed, your POS will move the PO from Draft to Open and any titles the supplier cannot provide (out or print or perhaps the ISBN was sent to the wrong supplier) will cascade off.

An ASN is used by the supplier to inform you when the products you ordered have left the warehouse and how they are packed. When a package (box, multiple boxes, pallet) arrives, it is marked with a barcode linked to the ASN, so that it can be scanned and update your inventory automatically if your POS software supports this function.