What is this?
This document describes how to send and receive stock checks via Anchor Distributor’s FTP site.
What is an FTP Stock Check?
FTP Stock Checks are performed using Ingram’s Request File Format. Please contact ruth.bradstreet@ingrambook.com to obtain these file specifications.
How do I send and receive Stock Checks?
Use an FTP program and use the following information to login:
Host Address: anchordistributors.com
Remote Port: 21
Username: stockcheck
Password: anchorstock6
Upload files with the Ingram appropriate request format to the root directory with the filename ‘<Your SAN Number>.STK’. Entries found in this directory will be processed within a minute. Reponses to requests will be written to a subdirectory with your SAN number (i.e., change directory to /<Your SAN Number>). Responses will follow the naming convention of <Your SAN Number>.AD for a single file response and <Your SAN Number>.AD<Response Count> for a multiple file response.
How do I format a request string?
The request string field has the following format:
| Request Header | ||||
| Field Name | Start | Stop | Length | Contents |
| File Type | 1 | 1 | 1 | "1" = Request File Identifier |
| Bill To | 2 | 8 | 7 | SAN or Bill-To Account Number |
| Ship To | 9 | 15 | 7 | SAN or Ship-To Account Number |
| Password | 16 | 23 | 8 | Password |
| Request Data Format | ||||
| Field Name | Start | Stop | Length | Contents |
| Request Type | 24 | 27 | 4 | “ISTK” |
| Version Level | 28 | 28 | 1 | “1” |
| Data Length | 29 | 33 | 5 | Total Length of Request Data. It should be padded with zeros. For example, "00013" for a single item, or “00026” for two items, and so on. |
| Request Data | 34 | 46 | 13 | ISBN, UPC, or EAN. Data should be left justified & padded with spaces. Up to 50 consecutive (padded) item codes can be sent in the same request. |
Example 1: the following example shows an implementation of an ISTK request type for an ISBN of “0764533126”.
String:
“112345677654321PASSWORDISTK1000130764533126
”
Example 2:
this example has five ISBNs in one transmission.
String:
“112345677654321PASSWORDISTK1000651111111111 2222222222 3333333333
4444444444 5555555555 ”
What codes are valid for lookups?
We accept ISBN, EAN13 and Speedy codes
for lookup strings for an FTP stock check.
What should I use for my account
number?
We accept four account numbers to
identify your store.
1)
Your Ship-to SAN number
2)
Your Bill-to SAN number
3)
Your Ship-to Account Number
4)
Your Bill-to Account Number