Item instructions

Occasionally, some items might require special handling or shipping instruction. To avoid mixing up item instruction with item description, the catalog service provides the item instruction declaration capability.

A catalog manager can associate one or more instructions to an item and each instruction is classified by the following parameters. The following fields are not mandatory.

  • Instruction Code - Code defined by the catalog manager to represent a set of internal instructions.
  • Instruction Text - Text that can be exposed by the catalog manager to allow staff to follow specific instruction.
  • Instruction Type - Instruction might have various type such as For Packing, For Shipping, For Pickup, and so on.
  • Sequence Number - Multiple instruction sets are supported. The catalog manager can assign a sequence number to the instructions so that they can be completed in the order of sequence.

To set the instruction set, use the Upsert Instructions API.

PATCH https://api.watsoncommerce.ibm.com/catalog/{tenantid}/v1/itemInstructions
{

  "itemId": "WINE_CHEESE_GIFTSET",

  "unitOfMeasure": "EACH",

  "itemInstructions": [

    {

      "instructionCode": "FSWC001",

      "instructionText": "Fragile, use bubble wrap",

      "instructionType": "For Shipping",

      "sequenceNo": 1

    },

    {

      "instructionCode": "FPWC001",

      "instructionText": "Fragile, inform customer to handle with care",

      "instructionType": "For Pickup",

      "sequenceNo": 1

    }

  ]

}

To verify if the instruction is correctly assigned, you can use Get Instructions API or Get Item Details API.

Get Item Details API.

GET https://api.watsoncommerce.ibm.com/catalog/{tenantid} /v1/itemDetails?itemId=WINE_CHEESE_GIFTSET&unitOfMeasure=EACH

Response:
{

    "itemId": "WINE_CHEESE_GIFTSET",

    "unitOfMeasure": "EACH",

    "itemGroupCode": "PROD",

    "primaryInformation": {"kitCode": "BUNDLE"},

    "components": […],

    "itemInstructions": [

        {

            "instructionCode": "FSWC001",

            "instructionText": "Fragile, use bubble wrap",

            "instructionType": "For Shipping",

            "sequenceNo": 1

        },

        {

            "instructionCode": "FPWC001",

            "instructionText": "Fragile, inform customer to handle with care",

            "instructionType": "For Pickup",

            "sequenceNo": 1

        }

    ]

}