Suppliers | Connecting to a Supplier

Connecting to a supplier in Orbit lets you browse their full catalogue, import their products into your store, and keep stock, pricing, and product details in sync. How you connect depends on the supplier's access mode.

Before you can connect, open the supplier's profile from the directory to see their details and how they accept new partners.

Opening a supplier profile

To open a supplier profile:

• From the left-hand menu, go to Suppliers.

• Select a supplier card from the directory.

The supplier profile opens, showing their name and logo, access mode badge, location, rating, and the number of products available. Below this you can read about the supplier, view their gallery, and preview a selection of their sample products. The primary button in the top right reflects how you connect with that supplier — Add supplier, Enter password, or Request access.

The three access modes

Each supplier chooses how they accept new partners. The access mode badge on their profile tells you which applies:

• Open — connect instantly, with no approval needed.

• Password — enter a password the supplier has given you in order to connect.

• Approval required — request access and wait for the supplier to approve you.

Connecting to an Open supplier

For an Open supplier, the primary button reads Add supplier. Click it to open the connect window, which shows the supplier's name and location and confirms that they are open to new partners. Click Connect to connect instantly. Once connected, you can browse their catalogue and import products into your store, and you can configure sync settings and pricing afterwards.

Connecting to a Password supplier

For a Password supplier, the primary button reads Enter password. Click it to open the connect window, then enter the access password the supplier has given you and click Connect. If you do not have a password yet, click Request password to ask the supplier for one.

Connecting to an Approval required supplier

For an Approval required supplier, the primary button reads Request access. This supplier reviews every partnership request, so clicking it opens a window where you can write an optional message telling them about your store and the products you are interested in. Click Submit request to send it.

While your request is awaiting a decision, the button changes to Request pending and a Request pending badge appears next to the supplier name. You can track the outcome under the Pending requests tab on the Suppliers page. Once the supplier approves you, you will be connected.

After connecting

Once you are connected, a Connected badge appears on the supplier's profile and the primary button changes to Manage connection. From the connection you can browse the supplier's full catalogue, import and map their products into your store, and configure how stock, pricing, and product details are kept in sync.

Why connecting to a supplier matters

Connecting to a supplier is the first step to growing your catalogue without holding stock yourself. Products are imported directly from the supplier, and Orbit keeps the details you choose in sync, so you spend less time on manual updates and your store stays accurate.

If you have any questions, please contact us at support@orbitcommerce.net