How To Start Dropshipping With Ingram Micro? 

The right distribution partner is the key to channelize the supply chain operations of a business. Ingram Micro is one of the leading distributors in the IT industry that facilitates businesses with technology consultation, supply chain services, and cloud-based solutions. Several businesses like finance, education, e-commerce, and IT are getting massive global reach and profitability with Ingram Micro API services. It works as a bridge between manufacturers and consumers to reduce the complexities of product distributive processes in the reseller market. If you aim to integrate Ingram Micro API for dropshipping, Capsquery has successfully executed the operation with positive reviews and responses. So, here is how our developers can set up dropshipping with Ingram Micro for your website.

Key Data Availability Through Ingram Micro API

Ingram Micro provides a vast spectrum of logistic networks and services to its clients’ technological needs. It ensures reliable and quick product delivery to its vendors and consumers globally. Starting from product distribution to IT services, like cloud computing, e-commerce solutions, IT asset disposition, and more, Ingram Micro has end-to-end solutions for businesses. Using Ingram APIs, you can seamlessly automate order processing from customers to vendors. Based on the key data availabilities, we have classified APIs into two distinct categories:

• Overview Of API Data On The Reseller Portal

Ingram Micro offers eCommerce solutions via APIs to consumers to enlarge business activities. It involves order processing, tracking in real-time, and delivery status updates. For resellers, Ingram Micro API offers functionalities such as a Product Catalogue (Product details, descriptions, price, SKUs, availability, and inventory levels), Orders (order lists, real-time order tracking, shipment details, and order cancellation), Quotation ( search quotes using filters like vendors, customer names, item price, and expiry dates), and Invoices (Invoice details with warranty claims for shipped orders).

• Overview Of API Data On The Vendor Portal

Implementing APIs helps vendors to automate order processing, reduce production costs, and improve product procurement. Integrating the ordering system with Ingram Micro vendor purchase order webhook eliminates the hassles of manual entry of purchase orders. Here is a summary of a few API keys that are accessible to vendors. Starting with Purchase Order Create Webhook V1, which gives real-time push notifications for new orders generated through Ingram Micro. Next comes the Purchase Order Response API V1 for acknowledging the receipt of purchase order notification. The Purchase Order Status V1 API endpoints ensure accurate delivery time by providing order status updates and shipment notifications.

How To Integrate Ingram Micro API Into Your Website?

Before integrating the Ingram Micro API into your website, you need to determine the business model. As a reseller, you can empower the purchasing team to access product details, pricing, availability, and order placement records using this API. For vendors, it simplifies the order processing system and removes unwanted communications through order status notifications to fulfil the placement for distributors, resellers, and customers. Follow these basic steps to set up Ingram Micro APIs:

• Initially, you need to create a developer account (reseller or vendor) by signing up on the respective portal. You get API channel access to your account after completing the authorization process.

• Once you get access to your developer account, use the Sandbox environment to acquire test data based on your account type to develop a productive app through Ingram Micro APIs.

• The next phase of integration is to register your app to get API keys like Client ID & Client Secret. After providing a short description of the application along with its purpose, you step towards the approval process. Within two business days, an associate from Ingram Micro may contact you to validate all information and complete the registration.

• The final stage is to authenticate the app through the Ingram Micro Access token to successfully execute the integration and make API calls to utilize several services.

Just to note, frequent monitoring of the application performance and following Ingram Micro compliance regulations helps you run the app error-free.

Which Tech Stacks Are Compatible With Ingram Micro?

Ingram Micro APIs rely on a RESTful structure and use standard HTTP or HTTPS protocols. Hence, these APIs are compatible with various web programming languages and frameworks, such as PHP, Python (Django), Node.js, Java, C#, WordPress CMS, and more. Here is a reference to an Ingram Micro API integration project based on a Django platform that supplies VoIP hardware, computer systems, IP PBXs, Network switches, and other IT peripherals. They also provide IT consultations and re-seller-based IT services. We have integrated Ingram Micro-API for Dropshipping which acts as an automation tool to add new products, update prices & stocks, and order generation. Ingram Micro works with major web development platforms and tech stacks.

What Are The Commissions & Rates Of Ingram Dropshipping?

If you are not able to manage inventory, delivery or shipping products to your customers, Ingram Micro provides a dropshipping and 3rd-party logistic facility to its resellers. Without taking any headaches of inventory and shipment, your customers get the product as it is with your company’s logo on the delivery consignment paper and other documents. To avail of this dropshipping service, Ingram Micro has commission structures and rates. Generally, they charge $5.50 for every dropship delivery, including the freight and handling charges. If there is an issue with the delivery for two consecutive attempts, then a customer needs to pay for a 3rd-party delivery service.

How Does Ingram Micro’s Payment Mechanism Work?

Ingram Micro has a flexible payment mechanism and rates for resellers based on their business needs. Whether you take vendor services (software or cloud computing solutions) or order products, you need to comply with the payment terms and conditions. These payment rates may vary as per service agreements, regional taxes and regulations, and other billing policies. You can get these software and vendor services on a subscription basis. It is often subject to auto-renewal as per the terms. Based on payment models and terms, Ingram Micro provides an entitlement to access its products and vendor services, including bill management, dropshipping, order placement, delivery, and other support services.

• Credit Line Or Net 30 Scheme

Ingram Micro works on a pre-paid basis. It means you need to make the payment before they prepare your order for delivery or shipping. However, you can obtain a Net 30 payment scheme that refers to a credit line of 30 days from the issuing date of the invoice. This credit facility may get approval after validating these factors, such as previous credit records, last two financial year bank statements, two commercial references, regional govt policies, and a bank reference letter. Your account will be on credit hold if you cross the grace period of 15 to 60 days after the due date. Crossing 90 days after the due date leads to the legal collection and suspension of the credit facility.

• Accepted Payment Methods

Ingram Micro accepts all credit cards issued from approved banks only for pre-paid orders. Additionally, they grant Wire transfers, checks, and ACH payments. Remember, you may need to pay a monthly interest of 1.5% if you miss or fail to clear the invoice on time. While placing an order, crosscheck the freight and transport charges unless you are not facilitated with free shipping.

• Invoice Processing

Primarily, Ingram Micro processes the invoice during the product shipment. The payment period starts after the invoice issue date. Resellers can monitor transactions on their account by registering on the Bill Trust. Ingram Micro uses e-invoicing systems to send delivery notes and invoice copies through email. Ingram Micro provides an RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization) number to return any products for a refund or exchange. If you receive damaged products, use the online Return & Claim tool to process the return request.

Prerequisites To Integrate Ingram Micro API Into Your System

To configure and utilize Ingram Micro API, you need to follow certain principles or prerequisites. Based on your account type (Reseller or Vendor), validate these checklists accordingly:

• For a reseller, keep an active Ingram Micro account number and a well-profile record. It is essential to maintain a decent sales history.

• To integrate and use Ingram Micro as a vendor, follow the similar prerequisites of a reseller account along with a business email. If you have any existing EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) relationship with Ingram Micro, keep a note of the transaction as it helps you to connect with its partners and boost your supply chain.

Brief Overview Of Integrating 3rd-Party API Into Your System

Integration of 3rd-party APIs into your system accelerates the performance level of your website. Specifically for a non-technical individual, it is crucial to select the suitable one as per their needs. Hence, Capsquery has a stronghold and expertise in API integrations and customizations without tweaking the core functionalities of your system. So, what are the factors you may consider while integrating a 3rd-party API into your website?

The first and foremost thing is to understand and review API documentation. It describes API capabilities, endpoints, authentication methods, response structures, and other functionalities. Without obtaining API credentials, you cannot run the operations. So, how will you authenticate an API? It requires API keys, OAuth tokens, and other credentials from the API vendor. Whether direct, middleware, or SDK integration, select a suitable method according to your service requirements. After completing the authentication procedure, it is time to implement API requests through HTTP or HTTPS protocols. Using HTTPS protocol helps you secure your communication and data sources. It is important to keep an eye on the API requests and responses to avoid rate limits. It helps you to API functionalities smoothly without any errors.

Alternatives Of Ingram Micro

Ingram Micro focuses on three technology products & services distribution models. For example, client endpoint assistance (PCs, Laptops, and IT peripherals supply), cloud computing services (SaaS & IaaS products), and other enterprise-level IT solutions (Hardware, networking, and cyber-security systems). Several API vendors are available that deal with supply chain and technology products & services distribution. Potential customers judge and verify the competencies in service categories like integration & deployment, evaluation, contracting, communication support, and various product capabilities. A few top and market-reliable alternative API vendors of Ingram Micro are TD SYNNEX, FedEx logistics, CDW, TESSCO technologies, and more.

As a web development company, we have expertise in working with most of the logistic API vendors. Here is an API integration and customization reference to one of our projects that uses TD SYNNEX API. We have created a script to remove 70,000 products from client’s websites. After cleaning the inventory, we made API calls to Synnex, mapped over one talk product, and uploaded it to both sites. We have set up Cron to update product information every day. As a business partner or customer, you need to validate the service quality of a 3rd-party API vendor before integrating it into your system.

How Much Time Does It Take To Complete The Ingram Micro API Integration Into Your System From Scratch?

As per our API integration knowledge, several factors are involved in this process. Starting from your existing tech stacks and system configuration to API requirements and other specific functionalities are the primary elements that play an essential role in integration. It takes two days to complete the Ingram Micro API authentication after creating the account. Based on your website’s functionalities, the implementation process may vary.

For instance, Ingram Micro provides a few API keys for resellers, like Product Catalogues, Orders, Quotes, and Invoices. For vendors, they offer Purchase Order Create Webhook V1 and Purchase Order Status V1 API. The entire implementation process comprises setup, authentication, integration, API key validation, testing, and deployment. It may take approximately 8 weeks, depending on the workflow. To get a detailed time estimation, you need to discuss the requirements with our development team. Therefore, after finalizing the scope of work, our team starts the initial setup.

Bottomline

If you need a higher level of supply chain and delivery precision without engaging in the hassles of inventory management, Ingram Micro is a one-stop solution for your business needs. Ingram Micro’s global reach, vendor count, robust supply chain, dropshipping facility, and technological solutions make it an exceptional one. If you have queries regarding Ingram Micro’s integration process or services, drop your comments below or contact us directly.