Back-end integration legacy messages

The WebSphere Commerce offers support for messages which use the legacy message format. Unless we are migrating from a previous version of WebSphere Commerce Suite, IBM recommends using the XML messages instead, since they accomplish the same function, and are easier to read and maintain.

The format of the WebSphere Commerce messages consists of two sections: the message descriptor and the application data. In the case of inbound messages, the message descriptor contains control information required to operate, such as the message identity and type. The application data contains the information to be processed. All WebSphere Commerce messages consist of a set of tags and records in a logical sequence and defined data segments within the records. The <PROLOG>, <HDR>, <ITM>, and <DATUSR> records, which are included in the supported messages, adhere to the following format:

where the data segment is identified with a _DATA suffix. For instance, a record for the Order Create message looks like this:

Each data segment (in this example, ORDER_CREATE_HDR010_DATA) must be replaced with specific field and database table information for the particular message.

The following table outlines the six supported messages, as well as the controller command called by each one:

Message Name Message Type Data Segment Controller Command
Customer New Inbound

UserRegistration Add
Customer Update Inbound

UserRegistration Update
Order Create Outbound

SendWCSOrder
Order Status Update Inbound

OrderStatus
Product Price Update Inbound

ProductOffer PriceUpdate
Product Quantity Update Inbound

ProductInventory Update


Related concepts
Order notification


Related reference
Outbound message extension for order create messages