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BlueStar Supplier Connector

The merchantCENTRAL Supplier BlueStar fully integrates the AutoID/POS distributor BlueStar (EMEA) into your merchantCENTRAL platform. The connector connects Business Central to BlueStar via two channels:

  • BlueStar Customers API (OAuth2 against Microsoft Entra) for orders, status/tracking, invoices incl. PDF, serial numbers, and special price conditions (PE codes).
  • File import (item catalog, net prices, stock — three CSV files) via the central merchantCENTRAL import pipeline.

The API offers no catalog endpoint — the file import remains the source of the assortment, while the API covers the ordering side. The connector is an add-on to the merchantCENTRAL Hub: imported master data flows into the central table ALN MC Supplier Data, and shipment tracking is reported back to the original sales orders via the Hub (drop shipment bridge).

Feature Overview

Feature Description
Catalog, Price & Stock Import Three separate CSV imports (BLUESTAR-CATALOG / -PRICE / -STOCK) into the Hub supplier data
Order Management Complete workflow: Purchase Order → API → status tracking → Receipt; resend lock, since the API offers no cancellation endpoint
Availability Check Stock, incoming quantities, and price comparison per order line before submission
Price Preflight Automatic check of minimum/multiple quantities (blocking) and price deviations above 1 % (prompt)
Price Exceptions (PE Codes) Daily mirror of your special conditions, PE code per order line with hard validation before sending
Invoice Management Automatic import incl. PDF (as a document attachment on the Purchase Order), due date, VAT, and gross amount from the Despatch Advice
Serial Numbers Automatic assignment from the Despatch Advice (incl. drop shipment reservations on the Sales Order)
Tracking Bridge Report-back of all tracking numbers to the Hub and the original Sales Order
Document Navigation One click between posted BC documents and BlueStar records — both directions, original PDFs included
Historical Import Retroactive import of existing BlueStar orders from open and posted purchase documents
Auto-Processing Job Queue pipeline: status, invoice, and PE sync plus optional document automation (dates, Receipt)
Simulation Mode Test mode without real API orders (dispatch via email, the default on a fresh install)
License & Demo Tenant-/module-bound license with a free demo (module code BLUESTAR)

Getting Started

  1. Make sure the merchantCENTRAL Hub is installed, configured, and licensed.
  2. Install the Supplier BlueStar connector from AppSource.
  3. Request your API credentials from BlueStar: Client ID, Client Secret, OAuth Scope, API Key, and your customer number.
  4. Set up the connection via the Setup Wizard (see Setup) — the API step can be skipped while the credentials are still pending.
  5. Test the connection via Test Connection.
  6. Set up the file import (catalog, prices, stock).
  7. Configure the automatic processing according to your requirements.

Taking over existing orders

If you have already ordered from BlueStar by email, the historical import subsequently brings those orders into the connector, including invoices and PDFs.

Page Overview

Page Description
Dashboard Central entry point with KPIs, monitor, and actions
Setup (API) API connection, order defaults, automation, simulation
Import Setup Configuration of the three CSV imports
Orders Order creation, status tracking, historical import
Invoices Invoice import with PDF, Despatch Advice, and serial numbers
Price Exceptions PE codes: mirror, line assignment, and validation
Document Navigation Jumping between BC documents and BlueStar records
Automatic Processing Job Queue, sync flow, and document automation

Architecture

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                     BlueStar (EMEA)                      │
│                                                          │
│  Customers API (OAuth2)        File source (CSV)         │
│  ├── Orders                    ├── Catalog (CATALOG)     │
│  ├── Status / Tracking         ├── Prices  (PRICE)       │
│  ├── Invoices (PDF)            └── Stock   (STOCK)       │
│  ├── Despatch Advice (Serial No.)                        │
│  └── Price Exceptions (PE)                               │
└────────────┬───────────────────────────┬─────────────────┘
             │ Bearer token + API key    │ OAuth2 Blob / SAS
┌────────────┴───────────────────────────┴─────────────────┐
│           merchantCENTRAL Supplier BlueStar              │
└────────────────────────┬─────────────────────────────────┘
                         │ Events
┌────────────────────────┴─────────────────────────────────┐
│                  merchantCENTRAL Hub                     │
│   (Supplier Data, Price Engine, Stock, Tracking)         │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Prerequisites

  • Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (Cloud, version 28.x or newer)
  • merchantCENTRAL Hub installed, configured, and licensed
  • BlueStar customer contract with API access (Client ID, Client Secret, OAuth Scope, API Key) and customer number — activation is handled by your BlueStar contact
  • For the file import: a data source (Azure Blob Storage or similar) — see Import Setup

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