The two interfaces for smbXML
NetSuite has defined two interfaces with their system which accept smbXML.
The server2server interface is used when you need to update or query Netsuite in real-time. An example of where this interface might be used is a external Website which takes orders, but the back office accounting and fulfillment is done from within NetSuite. In this case, the web server may query NetSuite for item availability before taking an order, to ensure that they actually have the item. After the sale is completed, it can then be sent to NetSuite for fulfillment. All of this happens without the need for anyone to take any action to query or import the data. Of course, a server2server implementation can be relatively expensive, since a programmer must code all of this commumication code into the web server.
Fortunately, there is another option. NetSuite also allows smbXML to be imported through the application's user interface (UI). If real-time communications are not required, this becomes a great option. Useful applications for this method include initial data load, transactional data when the data is not time critical, and periodic updates of data within NetSuite. This interface can also be used to periodically query NetSuite to return data for external reports or as input into other systems.
The smbXML Wizard is a tool designed to help you with the user interface method of importing and exporting data.
Setting up the user interface for smbXML
To setup the NetSuite user interface for smbXML, from within NetSuite go to
Setup --> Import / Export --> Set Up XML Import.
Your Solution Provider can assist you in setting the proper paramenters to meet your business needs.
Using the NetSuite UI XML interface
The process for using the NetSuite UI XML interface is as follows:
- Create an smbXML file on your local computer.
- From within NetSuite go to Transactions --> Other --> Submit XML Document.
- Click the Browse button, and select the smbXML file on your local computer.
- Click the Submit button. You will be taken to the smbXML Imports page
- Click the Refresh button until the Status column for your import says FINISHED.
- Click on the XML Response link. You will be asked to open or save the response file 'upload.xml'. Save it on your local computer.
The response file returned by NetSuite contains smbXML. If you submitted an import request, the response file will contain the status of the import for each request. If you submitted a query request, the response file will contain the data you requested, again in smbXML format.