Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Use Cases

TraceLink Roles

TraceLink API Guides group messages by application. Each API Guide contains all messages available within that application. Your company's business type (e.g. CMO, Wholesale Distributor, 3PL) and role in the TraceLink Network (Owner or Partner1) determine which of these messages to develop (i.e. not all messages within this guide may fulfill your business or compliance needs).

See below to confirm which messages you should develop based on your role in the supply chain and/or the TraceLink Network.

Configure and exchange (send or receive) each message separately as a best practice.

Partner Master Data Owners

3PLs send the Partner Master Data message from an internal master data system (e.g. an ERP system) to TraceLink to add, update, or disable trade partner and/or location master data. You can also enter partner locations into Partner Master Data. 3PLs maintain Partner Master Data for one main purpose:

  • Serialization – The TraceLink system generates serialization messages. by pulling partner master data information (e.g. alternate identifiers, business names, addresses) associated with the trade partner or location.
TraceLink is solely a consumer of Master Data and is not considered the Master Data system of record.

Product Master Data Owners

3PLs send the Product Master Data message from an internal Master Data system (e.g. an ERP system) to TraceLink to add, update, or disable Product Master Data. This message enables 3PLs to provide TraceLink with information about products that are subject to track and trace and serialization requirements. 3PLs maintain Product Master Data for one main purpose:

  • Serialization - 3PLs use Product Master Data to enable the system to route the data to the applicable trade partner.
TraceLink is solely a consumer of Master Data and is not considered the Master Data system of record.