Type = How-tos, ; Topic = Multienterprise Information Network Tower (MINT), Administration,;Persona = TraceLink Administrator, User,; Orchestration = Manufacturing, Clinical Supply,; Function = Supply Chain, Operations,

Add B2B connections

Application Administrators can create and update Opus B2B connections using AS2, SFTP, and SMTP protocols. A B2B connection is a configured B2B gateway account associated with a company or location on the TraceLink network. It enables file exchange with an external system (e.g. an ERP system owned by a company on the TraceLink network) using the protocol associated with the B2B connection. B2B connections are uniquely identified by a username, and also include the security information (e.g. certificates, public keys) required to establish a connection.

Opus B2B connections do not affect existing Track & Trace Services (TTS) B2B connections. TTS apps that are available to Opus Platform users via the Opus iFrame can continue to use their existing TTS B2B connections. Apps built on the Opus Platform cannot use TTS B2B connections and must create a new Opus B2B connection.

Contact the TraceLink implementation team for assistance in performing the one-time task of associating a company or location with the B2B connection. Future releases of XTT and Administration will enable System Administrators to perform all tasks related to managing B2B connections, including associating a B2B connection with a company or location.

Add and update B2B connections

  1. Select the Main Menu icon.

  2. Select Extensible Tracelink Transfer AWS.

  3. Select Search B2B Connections in the side menu.

  4. Select the Add B2B Connection icon to add a new B2B connection.
  5. Select the AS2 radio button.
  6. Select the Next button.
  7. Fill in the following fields:
    1. AS2 ID field – Required. The name of the B2B connection.
    2. AS2 Server URL field – Required. The URL of the AS2 server.
    3. Signing Certificate field – Required. The contents of the signing certificate.
    4. Signing Certificate Description field – A human-readable description of the signing certificate.
    5. Signing Certificate Chain field – Any additional signing certificates required to complete a valid chain of certificates (e.g. root, intermediate, leaf).
    6. Encryption Certificate field – Required. The contents of the encryption certificate.
    7. Encryption Certificate Description field – A human-readable description of the encryption certificate.
    8. Encryption Certificate Chain field – Any additional encryption certificates required to complete a valid chain of certificates (e.g. root, intermediate, leaf).
    9. Choreography Type drop-down – The sequence of events that occurs when a B2B message is transmitted:
      • OTHER (default) – The choreography is based on neither the X12 nor the EDIFACT standard.
      • X12 – The choreography is based on the X12 standard.
      • EDIFACT – The choreography is based on the EDIFACT standard.
  8. Select Add.

    The new B2B connection is created and displays in the list of all B2B connections. Contact the TraceLink implementation team for assistance in associating a company or location with the B2B connection

Tips

  • To update the AS2 server name or URL and choreography type, view the B2B connection and select the Edit icon.
  • To add a new signing certificate or encryption certificate, view the B2B connection and select the Add icon.
  • To delete a signing certificate or encryption certificate, view the B2B connection and select the Remove icon for the certificate to delete.

    Removing a signing certificate or encryption certificate will prevent any client that currently uses the certificate from connecting.

  1. Select the Main Menu icon .

  2. Select Extensible Tracelink Transfer AWS.

  3. Select Search B2B Connections in the side menu.

  4. Select the Add icon to add a new B2B connection.
  5. Select the SFTP radio button.
  6. Select the Next button.
  7. Fill in the following fields:
    1. Username field – Required. The name of the B2B connection.

    2. SSH Key field – Required. The contents of the SSH public key.

      Remove line feeds or carriage returns from the public key before pasting it.

    3. Choreography Type drop-down – The sequence of events that occurs when a B2B message is transmitted:
      • OTHER (default) – The choreography is based on neither the X12 nor the EDIFACT standard.
      • X12 – The choreography is based on the X12 standard.
      • EDIFACT – The choreography is based on the EDIFACT standard.
  8. Select Add.

    The new B2B connection is created and displays in the list of all B2B connections. Contact the TraceLink implementation team for assistance in associating a company or location with the B2B connection

Tips

  • To update the choreography type, view the B2B connection and select the Edit icon.

  • To add an SSH public key, view the B2B connection and select the Add icon.
  • To delete an SSH public key, view the B2B connection and select the Remove icon for the certificate to delete.

    Removing an SSH public key will prevent any client that currently uses the certificate from connecting.

  1. Select the Main Menu icon .

  2. Select Extensible Tracelink Transfer AWS.

  3. Select Search B2B Connections in the side menu.

  4. Select the Add icon to add a new B2B connection.
  5. Select the SMTP radio button.
  6. Select the Next button.
  7. Fill in the following fields:
    1. Client Email field – Required. The internal email provided by the Owner to which the Partner sends EDI documents in a specific format.

      The emails will be processed only if they follow the Healthcare Distribution Alliance (HDA) standard.

    2. Message Type field – Required. The type of message exchanged between the Owner and the Partner (e.g. compliance exception).
    3. Network Name field – Required. The name of the network.

  8. Select ADD.

    A unique email address is generated per process network.

  9. Select COPY.

    The copied email address is used to set forwarding rules to the Client Email.

Tips

  • To edit Client Email and Message Type, view the B2B connection and select the Edit icon.

Only Client Email and Message Type fields can be edited.

View B2B connections

  1. Select the Main Menu icon .

  2. Select Extensible Tracelink Transfer AWS.

  3. Select Search B2B Connections in the side menu.

  • Connection Type – The communications protocol used to transmit the message. Valid values are SFTP and AS2.
  • Connection ID – The AS2 ID of the AS2 B2B connection, the username of the SFTP B2B connection, or the SMTP email address of the SMTP B2B connection.
  1. Select Extensible TraceLink Transfer from the Network drop-down in the header.
  2. Select the Go button.
  3. Select Search B2B Connections in the side menu.
  4. Select the View icon in the row for the B2B connection.

    The B2B connection displays.

  • SFTP Connection Parameters – The attributes that define the SFTP connection.
    • Username – The name of the SFTP connection.
    • Choreography Type – The sequence of events that occurs when a B2B message is transmitted.
  • SSH Public Keys – The attributes of the SSH public keys associated with the SFTP connection.
    • Value – The contents of the SSH public key.
    • Date Imported – The date that the SSH public key was added.
    • ID – The ID of the SSH public key.
  • AS2 Connection Parameters – The attributes that define the AS2 connection.
    • AS2 ID – The name of the AS2 connection.
    • AS2 URL – The URL of the AS2 server.
    • Choreography Type – The sequence of events that occurs when a B2B message is transmitted.
  • Signing Certificates – The attributes of the signing certificates associated with the AS2 connection.
    • ID – The ID of the signing certificate.
    • Status – Specifies whether the signing certificate is active.
    • Active From – The earliest date when the signing certificate is active.
    • Active Until – The latest date when the signing certificate is active.
    • Description – A human-readable description of the signing certificate.
  • Encryption Certificates – The attributes of the encryption certificates associated with the AS2 connection.
    • ID – The ID of the encryption certificate.
    • Status – Specifies whether the encryption is active.
    • Active From – The earliest date when the encryption certificate is active.
    • Active Until – The latest date when the encryption certificate is active.
    • Description – A human-readable description of the encryption certificate.
  • SMTP Connection Parameters – The attributes that define the SMTP connection.
    • Owner – The name of the Owner creating the SMTP connection.
    • Network Name – The selected network name while creating the SMTP connection.
    • Client Email – The internal email address of the Owner to which the Partner sends EDI documents in a specific format.
    • Message Type – The type of message exchanged between the Owner and Partner (e.g. compliance exception, purchase order).
    • SMTP Connection Email – The unique email address generated while creating the SMTP B2B connection.

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