Getting started

Get started with experiencing the advanced B2B capabilities yourself by signing up for our technical preview program. Participation is free. Check out this section to see how to participate in the IBM Sterling Order Management technical preview for advanced B2B capabilities program.

The technical preview program

The technical preview for IBM Sterling Order Management advanced B2B capabilities is managed through the IBM Early Access Program. This program provides you with access to and information about unreleased IBM products. As a program participant, we invite you to try the features, share your insights, and partner with IBM to help refine and shape the usability of IBM Sterling Order Management advanced B2B capabilities. There is no cost for this program.

This program is ongoing and starts with several initial advanced B2B capabilities. We plan to build upon and improve the B2B capabilities as we move forward to an official release. We are providing you with early access to features and regular product refreshes that include the latest enhancements. We plan to release product refreshes in phases. We ask that you use the product, read the documentation, and provide regular feedback to us as we partner together to build this B2B solution.

Getting access to the advanced B2B capabilities

To participate in this early access program is a two-step process. Ready to sign up? Let’s get you started!

Step 1: Click this Sign up for the Advanced B2B capabilities early access program link and agree to the program terms. You will receive an email from us with a link to sign up for the program.

Step 2: Click the link in the email that you received, agree to the program terms and conditions, and confirm.

Downloading and setting up the DTK

Note: Each time a new version of the preview developer toolkit (DTK) is released, a fresh installation is required. If you already installed the preview developer toolkit and want to import your configurations to the latest version, use the configuration deployment tool (CDT).

When you are accepted into the program, you can download and then set up the DTK environment. You can also click the link to view the documentation.

From the Early access program site, select the Download tab and click the download link.
Go to the directory where the devtoolkit_docker.tar file is downloaded.
Extract the DTK environment setup files by running the following command.
```
tar -xf devtoolkit_docker.tar && chmod +x devtoolkit_docker/compose/*.sh
```
To enable the system to display sample data, add the following property to the om-compose.properties file:
OH_DEMO_MODE=Y
If you add the property after the DTK environment is installed, you do not need to run the setup command again, run the ./om-compose.sh setup-orderhub command.
If you perform a fresh installation to update a new version of the preview DTK, to enable the system to display real-time metrics, you need to set up and enable the SBAMetricsServer. Make sure that the following property in the om-compose.properties file is set as follows:
SBA_ENABLE=Y
For more information, see Enabling metrics on the Workspace and Nodes pages.
Set up the DTK environment by running the following command.
```
./om-compose.sh setup optional: full_path_to_customization_package
```
- This command also erases any existing Docker container or volume data.
- By default, the command assumes that you are setting up the developer toolkit environment from scratch with the default configurations. You do not need to override or change any property in the om-compose.properties file for general use cases. Each property already assumes a default value.
- By default, Order Hub is enabled.
Read and accept the DTK license that is displayed on the screen, by pressing Enter and typing accept. If you accepted the license, and want to run the setup without any prompt, add the following property to om-compose.properties:
DTK_LICENSE=accept

The DTK environment setup finishes in approximately one hour. All logs are generated in the logs directory. After the setup is complete, verify your installation by accessing the applications. The default login name is admin and the password is password.

Note: You can install the preview DTK by upgrading your existing DTK. For more information, see Setting up the containerized developer toolkit environment.

Note: Once you set up the DTK, Order Hub is available locally. Access Order Hub at https://localhost:7443/order-management. By default, the system displays real data. To set the system up to display sample data, see Configuring the account dashboard to display sample data.

What's next

Log in to the system and experience the advanced B2B capabilities yourself! As you explore the features, take notes about what you like, what you don't like, what questions you have, and what suggestions you have. Then, provide us with your feedback. Speaking of feedback...

Feedback, feedback... and more feedback! We welcome your feedback regularly as you explore the new features within the program. From the Early access program site, select the Feedback tab at any time and provide us with feedback about the product features, the documentation, and the usability of the product. Submit as many feedback forms as you like throughout the program. Explore the new features within the program!