Reader Link as a Source

July 20, 2026

Summary

Reader Link is a books & media supplier that exchanges files over FTP to support inventory and order operations. Get Inventory (Secondary) reads a CSV/XLSX inventory file, Send Fulfillment Requests writes purchase order files to an outbound folder, Get Shipments reads shipment files back in, and Get FR Acknowledgements reads acknowledgement and cancellation files — each operation uses its own FTP folder, with processed files automatically archived after each successful run. Confirm your exact folder paths and FTP credentials with Reader Link IT/EDI.

What this integration does

Get Inventory (Secondary)

Imports pricing and quantity updates from a CSV/XLSX file.

Send Fulfillment Requests

Sends fulfillment request orders to Reader Link via FTP.

Get Shipments

Imports shipment tracking and carrier details from Reader Link.

Get FR Acknowledgements

Imports order acknowledgements and cancellations from Reader Link.

How to connect - credentials you need

Reader Link connects over FTP. Add a Reader Link source, start configuring an operation, and when Flxpoint prompts you click + New Connection, enter the FTP details provided by Reader Link IT/EDI, then Test Connection → Save Connection.

FTP Connection

FTP ProtocolRequired

The FTP protocol to use (FTP, FTPS, or SFTP), as specified by Reader Link. Use the exact protocol Reader Link specifies — mixing protocols causes connection failures.

HostRequired

The Reader Link FTP server hostname, provided by Reader Link IT/EDI.

PortRequired

The FTP port for the connection, provided by Reader Link IT/EDI.

UsernameRequired

Your Reader Link FTP username.

PasswordRequired

Your Reader Link FTP password.

Per-Operation Folder Settings

Inbound Folder PathRequired

The FTP folder Reader Link delivers inventory, shipment, and acknowledgement files to — a separate path per operation. Confirm each exact path with Reader Link IT/EDI.

Outbound Folder PathRequired

The FTP folder Flxpoint writes outbound purchase order files to for Send Fulfillment Requests. Confirm the exact path with Reader Link.

Archive DirectoryRequired

Set File Action = Move and enter an archive folder for GIS, Get Shipments, and Get FR Acknowledgements so processed files aren't reprocessed. FA, CancelConfirm, and ACK files all share the same Cancellation Archive Directory.

Each operation reads or writes to its own FTP folder — confirm exact inbound/outbound paths with your Reader Link account manager or EDI/IT team. For extended operation setup and field-mapping guidance beyond connection, contact support@flxpoint.com.

Important - read before configuring

FTP credentials come from Reader Link IT/EDI — request them from your account manager

Request "Flxpoint file-transfer credentials for Fulfillment Requests" from your Reader Link account manager or EDI/IT team. You'll receive: FTP Protocol (FTP/FTPS/SFTP), FTP Host (provided by Reader Link), FTP Port (provided by Reader Link), FTP Username, and FTP Password. Use the exact protocol Reader Link specifies — mixing protocols causes connection failures.

Each operation uses a specific FTP folder — configure Inbound and Outbound paths in settings

Each operation reads or writes to a different folder on the Reader Link FTP: Send FR uses an outbound folder, Get Shipments uses an inbound folder, and Get FR Acknowledgements uses separate inbound folders for FA and CancelConfirm files. Confirm your specific folder paths with Reader Link.

Archive paths move processed files automatically — configure them to prevent reprocessing

Set File Action = Move and configure an archive directory for GIS, Get Shipments, and Get Acknowledgements. This moves processed files out of inbound folders after each successful run. If archive path is missing or unset, processed files remain in the inbound folder and will be reprocessed on the next run. If a run fails, the file remains in place for re-processing.

Get Acknowledgements reads FA, CancelConfirm, and ACK files — all use the same Cancellation Archive Directory

Get FR Acknowledgements reads from three separate FTP folders: FA, CancelConfirm, and ACK (if provided by Reader Link). All three file types are archived to the same Cancellation Archive Directory after a successful import. Configure one archive path for all three. The required mapping is: Retailer Order Number → Confirmation Number.

Operations - fields to know

Get Inventory (Secondary)Send Fulfillment RequestsGet ShipmentsGet FR Acknowledgements

Field mapping for this operation is configured with Flxpoint Support.

Field	Maps To — Notes
Order Number (ACK / CancelConfirm file)	→ Confirmation Number. Required. Matches the acknowledgement or cancellation file to the correct fulfillment request.

Common issues

No files being picked up by GIS or Get Shipments

Three things to check: (1) Verify the exact inbound folder path — paths are case-sensitive on FTP; confirm with Reader Link IT/EDI; (2) Confirm files are present in the folder — log into the FTP using the configured credentials and check; (3) Re-run Test Connection on the Reader Link FTP connection — if it fails, fix credentials first before troubleshooting folder issues. After fixing, run the integration manually and monitor the job log.

Files being reprocessed on every run

This means the archive path is not configured or a previous run failed (the file was never moved). To fix: (1) in the operation's Configure Settings, confirm File Action = Move and a valid Archive Directory is entered; (2) confirm the archive directory exists on the FTP and the SFTP user has write/move permissions; (3) if a prior run failed (file not moved), fix the underlying issue and re-run — the file will then be moved after a successful run. Consider organizing archive paths with subfolders for clarity (e.g., /archive/ship/, /archive/cancel_ack/).

FAQs

What FTP folders does each Reader Link operation use?▸

GIS (Get Inventory Secondary): reads a CSV/XLSX file from an inbound folder, with File Action = Move to an archive folder. Send FR: writes PO files to an outbound folder. Get Shipments: reads SHIP files from an inbound folder with a Shipment Archive Directory. Get FR Acknowledgements: reads separate FA and CancelConfirm folders (and ACK, if provided) with a shared Cancellation Archive Directory. All folder paths are provided by Reader Link IT/EDI — confirm the exact paths for your account.

What are the GIS field mappings for Reader Link?▸

GIS maps from a CSV/XLSX file. Required mappings: Merchant SKU → SKU (required, primary identifier), Quantity → Quantity (required). Optional: Cost → Cost. Optional rules: Trim/Normalize SKU (strip spaces, uppercase), Zero-out Missing Items (rule or Archive toggle), Mapping Sets for conditional quantity or vendor notes. Do not enable Archive/Un-Archive on GIS if the primary inventory job already has it enabled — this causes double-archiving.

What fields does Send FR send to Reader Link?▸

Send FR drops a PO file to the outbound FTP folder. Key template sections: Billing Address (Company, Address 1/2, City, State/Code, Postal Code, Country/Code, Phone, Email), Shipping Address (same fields), Fulfillment Request Header (FR Number, Note, Total Cost/Weight, Estimated Shipping Cost), Fulfillment Request Items (SKU, Quantity, Title, MPN, UPC, Cost, PO Line Item #), Source Shipping Method (Carrier, Method, Name, Shipping Code). Do NOT add SKU prefixes in Source Inventory — keep the supplier SKU as-is; use Master SKU for any prefix logic.

What fields does Get Shipments import from Reader Link?▸

Get Shipments reads SHIP files from the inbound FTP folder. Shipment header fields: Fulfillment Request Number → Retailer Order Number (links to FR), Tracking Number, Carrier Name, Carrier Service Name, Shipped At (if provided), Shipping Cost, Project ID. Shipment item fields: SKU → Catalog Item, Quantity → Ship Qty, Description (optional), All Custom Fields (serial numbers via Direct Copy). FR Lookback Period defaults to 90 days — adjust in Advanced Settings. After a successful import, SHIP files move to the Shipment Archive Directory.

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