Option A: Consultant

Using our Apparel21 consultant to setup exports

If merchants don't have an Apparel21 expert in-house then they have the option to have their Apparel21 exports configured by our experienced Apparel21 consultant.

An essential component of the consultant's work is the data review, this is imperative prior to configuring the data extraction tool.

The data extraction tool gives companies using Apparel21 the ability to extract any schema of Apparel21 retail transaction data and transmit it to third party solutions. This specifically supports sending bricks and mortar retail transactions and person data to our solution.

Setup Process

• Provide access to the server

• Preparation & data review

• Provide the SFTP details for the instance

• Optional: Data clean-up: Match Apparel21 privacy status based on email platform (Klaviyo or Salesforce)

• Set up the CSV data exports

• Setup the required tasks to extract the data on a regular interval

• Upload example customers and orders CSV exports (with all required fields) to a test folder

• Review the files and check email platform to confirm that all mappings are behaving as expected

• Once confirmed, trigger automated scheduled CSV exports to the live folder

Access Requirements

• Provide remote Access to the Apparel21 report server [Merchant]

• Optional: Provide remote access to a terminal server [Merchant]

• Purchase SQL query tool (Benthic Gold) on behalf of the merchant [Consultant]

• WINSCP and Benthic Golden installed on the remote server [Consultant]

• If Required: Open Firewall for access to the external SFTP site [Merchant]

• Set the Apparel21 application access user to admin level [Merchant]

Our consultant will need remote access to the Apparel21 report server. This can be achieved through the following means:

• VPN (Virtual Private Network)

• RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol)

• Teamviewer (remote access software)

• 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication)

They will have minimal involvement in your Apparel21 instance(s). However, during the setup phase, temporary access will be required, which is typically a brief process. To expedite this, remote access is generally preferred as it is faster and more efficient than creating additional Apparel21 logins.

Preparation & Data Review

A data review should be performed before the tool is commissioned. Ideally there are no email duplicates in the person data base before extraction via the tool. Otherwise we are propagating issues to the external system. Areas to review:

• Duplicated Person/Email

• Invalid email addresses

Customer Maintenance (removing and merging duplicates)

This refers to the process of organising and eliminating duplicate customers. It involves identifying and removing any duplicate entries or merging them into a single, accurate record. By performing customer maintenance and deduping, you ensure that your database is clean, efficient, and reliable.

Client Anomalies

It is common for some retail clients to have anomalies in some of their data. There is room for basic anomalies around most data areas.

If anything is outside of scope it will have to be scoped and quoted for. The data clean-up may come at an additional cost and will be based on a time and materials basis.

Data Parameters

Below are some parameters which need to be defined before implementation.

Option	Description
Online	Include web transactions, normal online in-store
Product Ref#	What style reference is used for primary product categorisation
Person Ref#	What person reference is preferred
Start Date	The earliest transaction to capture
Person Name Case	Should the customer’s name be in upper or normal case
Stores to exclude	Are there any retail stores that should not be in the feed
Person capture Options	Customers with Email Address
	Customers without Email address
	Customers with no Transactions (Newsletter)
Historical Retail Brands	Are there any historical brands that require special treatment

Warehouse Reference

The extract is configurable by the merchant as to what stores are included in the transaction flow, this means if a store is added down the track, it can be configured for the flow without us requiring any intervention.

This is done by using an Apparel21 Warehouse Reference:

Reference Type	Code	Name	Example
Warehouse	RetailCh	Retail Chain	VW

The reference is usually 2 characters. There can be multiple ‘Chains’ setup if your instances are required to be split for different brands or regions.

Extraction Tool

The data extraction tool runs as a scheduled task on the Apparel21 report server and can be configured to run on any schedule you require, every minute, 15, hourly or nightly.

Apparel21 data will be extracted in CSV format and transported to the SFTP server, this document centres around the data requirement for retail transactions, person and reward data extraction specifically for the email platform.

Requirements

There are some basic requirements to run the tool and there is flexibility in the way it is implemented, if any of the requirements cannot be fulfilled by a customer, there will always be an alternative solution for that requirement.

• The tool usually runs on Apparel21 report server or any available windows-based process server EXCEPT the Apparel21 Oracle Server. It could run on a desktop if required.

• SQL query tool: The default is Benthic Golden which is the tool of choice for Apparel21. This requires the purchase of a licence which at the time of writing was approximately $70 AUD.

  • Note: Force IT hosted systems often include a licence for Golden.

    DotApparel can purchase the SQL query tool on your behalf.

• SFTP client, WINSCP Is used to transport the files. Free.

• Windows scheduler: this is a default part of the Windows operating system for desktop end servers. Free.

Consultant Fees

One-Time Configuration

$1,000 AUD for the first file type then $500 for every subsequent file type. This initial implementation cost for the Apparel21 export is a one-time fee with no subsequent monthly fees.

Bulk File Export

The generation of the bulk file may cost additional depending on the types of bulk files required. For the bulk file size, if it’s over 500,000 records and/or 3 years worth of data, the consultant will charge time & material based on a rate of A$180 per hour.

Additional Customisations

Should any support be needed in the future or adjustments to the data sets be required, these tasks can be efficiently addressed based on time and materials, with a minimum engagement of one hour.

Data Clean-Up

Our Apparel21 consultant offers additional services to assist you in maintaining your customer database. Below is an overview of the different types of services our Consultant can proficiently handle.

This table serves as a starting point and our consultant will provide a nuanced approach based on individual requirements and preferences. We would suggest considering Basic+ as the minimum level of service.

Type	Effort	Backup	Metrics	Dedupe Review	Email	Phone	Record to use	Transactions Merged	Push to Stores After Hours	Loyalty
Basic	3 Hours	Yes	Basic	No	Yes	No	Earliest or latest	None	No	No
Basic+	6 Hours	Yes	Basic	Yes	Yes	No	Earliest or latest	Yes	Yes	No
Advanced	12 Hours	Yes	Advanced	Yes	Yes	No	Algorithm	Yes	Yes	No
Advanced+	15 Hours	Yes	Advanced	Yes	Yes	No	Algorithm	Yes	Yes	Yes
Advanced Elite	20 Hours	Yes	Advanced	Yes	Yes	Yes	Algorithm	Yes	Yes	Yes

The rate is $180 AUD per hour plus 10% GST.