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 and SFTP 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

Add an AS2 B2B connection

Select the Main Menu icon.
Select Extensible Tracelink Transfer.
Select B2B Connections in the side menu.
Select AS2
Select the Add new icon to add a new AS2 B2B connection.
The New AS2 B2B Connection screen is displayed.
Fill in the following fields in the General section:

B2B Connection Name field – Required. The name of the B2B connection.
AS2 ID field – Required. An identifier for the AS2 connection.
AS2 Server URL field – Required. The URL of the AS2 server.
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.
AS2 Encryption Algorithm drop-down – Required. The algorithm that ensures secure data exchange between the AS2 server and TraceLink.
AS2 Signing Algorithm drop-down – Required. The digital signatures that ensures sender's authencticity.
AS2 Compression Algorithm drop-down – Required. Supports the use of compressing the size of data transmitted between the AS2 server and Tracelink.
AS2 MDN Response drop-down – Required. The Message Disposition Notification is an acknowledgment sent by TraceLink to the AS2 server.
AS2 MDN Signing Algorithm drop-down – Required. The Message Disposition Notification algorithm that ensure the authenticity of the recipient (TraceLink).

Select the Add icon in the Encryption Certificates section.
Fill the following certificate details in the Add Encryption Certificate side panel:
- Certificate – The structure of the encryption certificate.
- Certificate Description – A short description of the certificate.
Select Apply to apply the changes.
Select the Add icon in the Signing Certificates section.
Fill the following certificate details in the Add Signing Certificate side panel:
- Certificate – The structure of the signing certificate.
- Certificate Description – A short description of the certificate.
Select Apply to apply the changes.
Select the button to save the changes.
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

On the Search AS2 B2B Connections screen, selecting a Connection Name opens the AS2 Connection Details screen. From this screen, users can modify an AS2 Connection.
Removing a signing certificate or encryption certificate will prevent any client that currently uses the certificate from connecting.

Add an SFTP B2B connection

Select the Main Menu icon.
Select Extensible Tracelink Transfer.
Select B2B Connections in the side menu.
Select SFTP
Select the Add new icon to add a new SFTP B2B connection.
The New SFTP B2B Connection screen is displayed.
Fill in the following fields in the General section:
- SFTP Account User Name field – Required. The name of the SFTP B2B connection.
- Choreography 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.
Select the Add icon in the Public Keys section.
Fill the following details in the Add SSH Key side panel:
- SSH Key field – Required. The contents of the SSH public key.
  
  Remove line feeds or carriage returns from the public key before pasting it.
Select the button to save the changes.

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

On the Search SFTP B2B Connections screen, selecting a SFTP Account User Name opens the View/Edit SFTP B2B Connection Details. Select the button to update an SFTP Connection.
Removing an SSH public key will prevent any client that currently uses the certificate from connecting.

View B2B connections

View an AS2 connection

Select the Main Menu icon .
Select Extensible Tracelink Transfer.
Select AS2.
Select the link for the Connection Name from the results table.
The View/Edit AS2 B2B connection screen displays.

View a SFTP connection

Select the Main Menu icon .
Select Extensible Tracelink Transfer.
Select SFTP.
Select the link for the SFTP Account User Name from the results table.
The View/Edit SFTP B2B connection screen displays.